Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (GIUMSC) proudly announces the appointment of Jeff Gates as their new Vice President of Retail Excellence. Gates brings an extensive background in leadership, employee development, and process enhancement to his new role, promising a bright future for GIUMSC’s retail operations.

Gates joins GIUMSC from Dollar General, where he excelled as Director of Retail Operations. His tenure at Dollar General was marked by exceptional leadership in fostering employee and personal growth and delivering industry-leading outcomes. In addition to his primary responsibilities, Gates served on the Regional Director Executive Council and was a dedicated board member and advocate for the Young Professionals Employee Resource Group.

“Jeff’s diverse retail leadership experience will allow us to continue to provide top-notch retail services throughout the communities we serve. His background in multiple areas of retail equips him to contribute immediately to the Goodwill mission of impacting lives through the power of work,” says Pat Michaels, President and CEO of GIUMSC. “We are extremely excited to have Jeff join our team. His proven track record and commitment to excellence make him a valuable addition to our leadership team.”

In his new role at GIUMSC, Gates will provide strategic leadership and guidance for the organization’s retail stores and e-commerce platforms. He will spearhead efforts to enhance Goodwill’s retail footprint, focusing on employee development and experience, process optimization, and improving the donor experience across Goodwill’s extensive network throughout the Upstate and Midlands of South Carolina.

Goodwill is confident that under Gates’ leadership, they will continue to elevate the donation and shopping experience, ensuring that donors and shoppers remain at the heart of the mission to provide life-changing services to the communities of Upstate and Midlands South Carolina.