(Nashville, Tenn) — After serving more than 36 years as president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, David Lifsey today announced his plan to retire.  Lifsey, who started with the company as the director of rehabilitation, and became its leader just four years later, in 1973, says it is time for him to step down.

“I have mixed emotions about my decision,” Lifsey told the staff and Board of Directors.  “It has been my honor and a great privilege to work for this Goodwill and for you.  However, I realize that I’m at a point in time when it’s a good opportunity for me to do something different.”  

When Lifsey joined the company in 1969, there were 89 employees, and 111 people were served through its employment and transitional program.  Today, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has 1,400 employees located throughout middle and west Tennessee and in 2009 served more than 11 thousand clients.  “When I started with Goodwill I was hooked as I worked with people who were trying to do better.  I loved their spirit, their determination, and the impact that work had on their lives.  I’m still captured by our ability to help serve our clients today.”

John Stone, the chairman of Goodwill’s Board of Directors said today, “David has orchestrated the growth of the company by almost one hundred fold during his tenure as the leader of our organization.  Perhaps the greatest legacy that David will leave to Goodwill has been his assembly of such a highly qualified and extremely dedicated staff committed to the mission of our organization.”

The Board of Directors will begin a nationwide search for a successor in the coming months with plans to have Lifsey’s replacement on staff by the beginning of 2011.