[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 111 (Friday, June 27, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING DON JOHNSON ON HIS RETIREMENT AS THE CEO OF GOODWILL 
                     INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 27, 2025

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Don Johnson for 
his decades of dedicated service in the nonprofit sector and his 
impactful tenure as President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central 
Illinois. In this role, Johnson led the organization to expand 
workforce development efforts and launched new initiatives aimed at 
supporting some of the most vulnerable populations in Central Illinois.
  Johnson earned his Bachelor of Science from Eastern Illinois 
University and a Master of Science from Western Illinois University. 
Before joining Goodwill in 2016, he served as Executive Director of the 
Hult Center for Healthy Living and as Vice President of Community 
Investments at the Heart of Illinois United Way. In those roles, he 
championed data-driven community investments, built expansive volunteer 
networks, and led public health and education initiatives, including 
211, Success by Six, and Supporting Student Access.
  During Johnson's tenure at Goodwill, the organization broadened its 
mission beyond traditional job training and donation-based stores. 
Under his leadership, Goodwill introduced innovative programs that 
supported children and families at risk of violence and created a new 
job placement program for neurodivergent young adults. One of his 
biggest projects being the expansion of the General Wayne A. Downing 
Home for Veterans, which helped raise nearly $1.5 million for the 
strengthening of services for local veterans.
  Don Johnson's tireless leadership and commitment to the non-profit 
sector has left a lasting impact on Central Illinois. His work has 
advanced economic opportunity, human dignity, and community well-being. 
I congratulate Don on his retirement and wish him, his wife Kim, and 
their two daughters all the best in this next chapter of life.

                          ____________________