Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries management team was elated to watch President and CEO, Joseph Byrum, being recognized as one of the “Nonprofit Executive Directors of the Year” at the 2012 Pillar Awards for Community Service on Wednesday, January 18th. The Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service, presented by Smart Business, honors businesses of all types and sizes that make outstanding contributions to their community. Its purpose is to encourage a charitable environment, recognize creative efforts that make a difference and demonstrate the ties between the for-profit and nonprofit worlds. “On behalf of Ohio Valley Goodwill and the thousands of individuals we serve each year, I want to thank you for this important recognition of community service and its impact on our society,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO, during his acceptance speech. The prestigious 2012 Pillar Awards were held at the Duke Energy Convention Center this year and welcomed more than 300 business elite to the gala event. This is the first year that Ohio Valley Goodwill and its CEO were singled out for the Community Service award and were gratified to have the opportunity to spread the message of Goodwill to the assembled guests. Under Byrum’s leadership over the past 35 years, the organization has grown to become the vital employment and training center that it is today, boasting more than 6 satellite locations in 4 different counties. Goodwill’s economic impact in the local community is more than $64 million annually, making it an important business partner in the Southwest Ohio region. “I am delighted that Ohio Valley Goodwill is receiving the recognition for its contributions to community service that it richly deserves. It is especially poignant that the organization has been performing this mission of service for more than 95 years now,” said Byrum. Ohio Valley Goodwill commends Medical Mutual and Smart Business on their commitment to showcase the importance of Community Service in the Greater Cincinnati area.