Meet the New Board President...Mark Gasser

1893 - 2015 Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, Inc.
Volume 32, Number 2
Summer 2015
Meet the New Board President...Mark Gasser
Mark Gasser has recently been elected to
serve as president of Youngstown Area
Goodwill Industries’ Board of Directors.
Gasser is the president of Gasser Chair
Company, a commercial furniture manufacturing company founded by his father
George and his two uncles, Dr. Louis
and Roger Gasser in 1946. He also
serves on the board of Compass Family
and Community Services (formerly
Burdman Group) and The Stambaugh
Auditorium Association Board. Mark
has been married to his wife, Jennifer,
for 26 years and together they have three
daughters—Alison in Los Angeles, Taylor in Seattle and Marquette at Miami
University of Ohio. This interview examines his views on Goodwill’s community impact and how his leadership will
benefit the agency.
How did you become involved with
Goodwill?
I have always admired and been a fan of
the effective programs at Goodwill.
When I was presented with the opportunity to serve at the board level it was
not a hard decision!
How does Goodwill’s mission impact
this community?
Our mission, to assist people with disabilities or other barriers to employment,
helps to increase personal self-worth,
provides a sense of accomplishment and
enables them to become contributing
members of our community. Assisting
those who are physically challenged or
otherwise disenfranchised learn life and
job skills is important work and has a
very positive impact in our community. I
believe it is the very foundation of society.
What will be the focus of your tenure as
board president? What do you plan to
accomplish?
There are several key areas we will focus on: 1.) Expanding services deeper
As a businessperson, how do you view
Goodwill’s vocational rehabilitation programs? Why should companies hire our
graduates?
Beginning with basic life and job skills,
Goodwill teaches the importance of respect, punctuality and honest work. With
the benefit of close one on one coaching,
many of our graduates will become valued employees in the community. Treating others as you would like to be treated
is one of the core tenants of Goodwill's
teachings.
Mark Gasser
into areas we serve. Transportation is
often a barrier to our consumers. We
will explore new ways to reach those in
need. 2.) Raise public awareness of
Goodwill's mission and programs via
social media, public service announcements and most importantly, word of
mouth. 3.) Increase donations to smooth
out the store inventory needs. 4.) Continue with improvements to retail operations. We are currently searching for a
new store location.
Although Goodwill is a non-profit, it
operates as a business, generating most
of the revenue it takes to administer its
programs. How does this strengthen its
mission?
We are very proud that Goodwill is 97%
self-supporting! It is difficult to appreciate the complexity of effectively collecting, sorting, evaluating and distributing
millions of pounds of donated goods
every year to our eight stores. A "behind
the scenes tour" is a real eye opener and
I would encourage all interested persons
to call and arrange this experience!
Many of these operations also provide
job training and skill building experiences for our clients/ consumers.
How does your professional experience
affect your leadership of Goodwill’s
board?
I have always believed that a mission
without a margin is not a long term plan
for success. With our stores, the margin is
clear to measure and we will always work
to improve these operations in order to
improve our services. Measuring the
"margin" or improvement in people’s
lives is our real mission, but it is a bit
more difficult to measure. Seeing people
learn new skills and become successful in
their own right is the margin we seek, and
accomplish every day!
What vision do you have for Goodwill’s
future?
Through the tireless efforts of our skilled
and dedicated staff and many volunteers
combined with the generosity of donors, I
envision our Goodwill being a model
agency for communities of our size and
makeup.
What other community activities are you
involved in?
I have served with Compass Family and
Community Services (formerly Burdman
Group) for many years. I also serve on the
board of Stambaugh Auditorium.
What do you do to relax?
Traveling with my wife and three daughters is a source of enjoyment and relaxation for me.
Donors: Thanks for Believing in the Power of Work
Benefactors – $1,000+
The Brotherhood Foundation
The Kennedy Family Fund, a Component Fund of the
Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley
The Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation - In Support of the
Amblyopia Program
The Western Reserve Health Foundation - In Support of the
Amblyopia Program
Patrons – $250+
VEC, Inc. - In Sponsorship of YRRS
Supporters – $100+
C Gilbert James Jr. Trust - In Support of YRRS
Great Garage Doors - In Sponsorship of YRRS
Carolyn Leetch
Radio Ray - In sponsorship of YRRS
Dr. & Mrs. Paul Stabile - In Sponsorship of YRRS
Jim & Ellen Tressel - In Sponsorship of YRRS
Contributors – $50+
Marie Davidson
Debbie Moore - In Honor of Grandsons Jay and Henry & In
Sponsorship of YRRS
Patella Carpet and Tile - In Sponsorship of YRRS
Cynthia Reardon - In Memory of Ervin Sanders & In
Sponsorship of YRRS
Elyn Summers
Mr. & Mrs. Elias J. Vujovich
Friends – Up to $50
Don Barry - In Sponsorship of YRRS
Chalet Premier - In Sponsorship of YRRS
Tricia &Walter DeBald - In Memory of Ervin Sanders & In
Sponsorship of YRRS
Lou & Connie DeToro - In Sponsorship of YRRS
Peggy Heintzelman
Jackie Mayer - In Memory of Esther Fisher & In Sponsorship
of YRRS
Colleen Miller, manager of Home Savings McDonald Branch (left) presents
Dorothy Nespeca, director of rehabilitation at Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries with a check from the Home Savings Charitable Foundation for $2,000.
Harry Meyer - In Honor of Mike Bosela & In Sponsorship of
YRRS
Vince & Mary Ellen Pellegrini - In Sponsorship of YRRS
William S. Peyko - In Support of YRRS
Cyril Slifka
Elyn Summers
Dom Vechiarelli, Howard Hanna Real Estate - In Sponsorship
of YRRS
Robert Webber
Gifts in Kind
Assumption Village
*donations received as of June 13, 2015
Sponsor a Youngstown Radio Reading Service Program
Individuals and organizations can sponsor Youngstown Radio Reading Service (YRRS) programming with a contribution. Listeners of YRRS live in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbian, Ashtabula, Lawrence and Mercer Counties. Radios are stationed in area nursing homes and hospitals, which expand listening audiences beyond private homes.
For nearly 40 years, Youngstown Radio Reading Service has allowed blind and print-impaired people to be in touch with their
community through broadcasts of in-depth newspaper readings and more. Operating as a side band of WYSU and housed at
Youngstown Goodwill, the station reaches nearly 1,200 people through its special radio receivers, provided free to qualified listeners through the help of underwriting.
Continuous funding cuts over the recent years have already forced YRRS to reduce the broadcast the broadcast schedule to six
days a week and to cut back on staff.
YRRS provides unique access to current information such as retail and grocery ads, entertainment listings, financial and investment coverage, and health information. Many of the listeners are older adults who depend upon YRRS for their news and local information.
Sponsors receive quality on-the-air exposure to a loyal audience, which extends to their family members and friends. Messages
can be targeted to a specific program or audience and can be chosen from more than 50 programs or topic categories. In addition to
recognizing underwriters in the YRRS broadcast programming schedule, they are also listed in the Goodwill’s quarterly newsletter.
Funding from sponsors enables YRRS to continue to provide access to printed information to those who are visually, physically,
or learning disabled. For a broadcast underwriting application that provides details of the underwriting arrangement., please contact
YRRS at 330.759.0100.
Thank You Donors for Making our Auction a Success
About Beauty
Adamas Jewelry & Gifts
Adolph Johnson & Son Co.
Aim NationaLease
Alcyon Wealth Partners
Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning
Valley
Austintown Podiatry Assoc.
B&I Management Co.
Ballet Western Reserve, Inc.
Donna Gerberry Bowell
Vicky Boyd
Patrick & Mary Grace Briceland
Cache Southern Park Mall
Canton Air Sports
Carmer Bricillo
Byzantine Inc.
Chalet Premier
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Metroparks
Community Corrections Association
Compco Industries
Creekside Fitness & Health Center
Curiosity Shop
Davidson's Restaurant & Bar
DC Wellness
Dick Adgate Florist
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dave & Jenny Ditzler
Dillard's Clinique
Deborah Duffy
Eastwood Mall Complex
Edwards Business Equipment
Ensley Willow
Farmers Trust
First Choice Coin & Jewelry
First Meridian Management LLC
Fleming Leasing
Robert Fulton
Gasser Chair Company, Inc.
Gateway Health
General Motors
Dan & Jaclyn Gerberry
Jim & Linda Gerberry
Ron & Kathy Gerberry
Get'n Fit
Kim Gilbert
Gold Cross Limousine Service
Goodyear
Greenwood Chevrolet
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
Hearn Paper Company
Hill, Barth & King
Hollywood Gaming
House of Lees
Huntington Bank
JCPenney Southern Park Mall
Jewish Community Center of Youngstown
Jim & Jean Jones
Jones & Associates Embroidery
Julia's Bed & Breakfast
Kalahari Resort
Kiefer Financial Services
Deanna Gerberry Kies
Komara Jewelers
Bernie Kotel
The Lake Club
Nanette Lepore
Irv Lev
Becky Lopuchovsky
Mike & Carol McBride
McDonald's
Paul McFadden
Laura McMillen-Rek
Mayor John McNally
John & Jeanne McNally
Nancy & Kim Mackay
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
Talva Maslach
Massage Café
Michael Alberini's Restaurant & Wine Shop
Molly Maid
Morgan's Furniture
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort
Mr. Anthony's/Anthony Saadey
Murphy Contracting
Dottie Nespeca
State Rep. Michael O'Brien
Ohio Lottery Commission
Ohio Wine Producers Association
Opera Western Reserve
Attorney Albert J. Ortenzio
Packer Thomas
Linda Parker
Seth Parker
Patella Carpet & Tile
Petitti Garden Centers
Pine Lakes Golf Club
Pittsburgh Pirates
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Pittsburgh Steelers
Plaza Donuts
PNC Bank
Premier Designs Jewelry
Prout Boiler, Heating & Welding, Inc.
Republic Services
Rhiel Supply Co.
Fernando Riccioni
County Commissioner Carol RimedioRighetti
Robert Senn Studio
Rulli Brothers West
Rumpus Sports by Gasser Chair
Congressman Tim Ryan
Salem Hills Golf Course
Sam's Club
Senator Joe Schiavoni
Diane Schrum
Jim & Cindi Schrum
Schwebel Baking Company
Ron Serich
Robert L. Smallwood, Jr. CPA/ Beard
Pension Services, Inc.
John & Phyllis Simeone
Simon Roofing
Al Slabe
Mary Staffrey
Diana Strudwick
Suzanne's
Team Office Technologies
Terno & Associates, Inc.
Town Money Saver
Trumbull New Theatre
V² Wine Bar Trattoria
Valley Containers, Inc.
Vallourec Star
Vera Bradley
Michael G. Verich
Walt Disney World Co.
Sharon Wathen
Weingartner's
Windsor House, Inc.
Youngstown Fence Inc.
York Mahoning Mechanical Contractors
Youngstown Symphony Society
YSU Athletics
YSU Office of the President
Mark Zeidenstein
The Zidian Group
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Youngstown, Ohio
Permit No. 738
2747 Belmont Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44505-1864
Address Service Requested
Goodwill looking for Volunteer Preschool Vision Screeners
The Amblyopia Vision Screening Program of Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries needs help in reaching as many preschoolers as possible during the upcoming
school year. The program is looking for new volunteers to visit area preschools and
conduct vision screenings on children.
Training, materials and even partners are provided for the volunteer vision screenings. Screening sessions are scheduled according to the screeners availability —
mornings or afternoons, Monday through Friday in Columbiana, Mahoning and
Trumbull counties — and last anywhere from one hour to two-and-a-half hours. All
scheduling and follow up is handled by the program coordinator.
Lazy eye, the common name for amblyopia, is reduced vision in an eye resulting
when the pathways of vision in the brain do not grow strong enough. Anything that
interferes with clear vision in either eye during the critical birth to age six visual development period can cause amblyopia; neither the child nor parent may know there is
a problem until screening is provided. If not detected early enough, an amblyopic eye
may never develop good vision and may become
functionally blind. Early detection and treatment can correct an eye, which may be too
damaged for correction at a later time.
Volunteer training, provided by the Ohio Department of Health, will be held Tuesday, August 25 from 9 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., at Christ Church, 1933 Canfield Road in
Youngstown. This training is mandatory for all vision screeners. Of the more than
2,700 children screened during the last school year, 393 were referred for follow up
Two volunteers conduct a vision screening on a pretreatment so volunteer assistance is essential to help reach all of the children in need.
schooler at Barrel of Monkeys in Austintown. Goodwill
For additional information, or to attend the volunteer training session, contact Nancy
is currently looking for volunteers for their Amblyopia
Vision Screening Program. A mandatory training ses- Chambers, amblyopia program coordinator, Tuesday or Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2
sion for all volunteers will be held on Tuesday, August p.m. at 330-759-7921.
25. Those interested must register in advance.