Vickie H. Elrod is the manager of Goodwill Industries’ Cars to Work program. She worked in the banking industry, starting at Cumberland Federal Savings Banks. Some of her roles have included manager at the former TransFinancial Bank, manager of Commonwealth Health Corp. and business development executive at Carr, Riggs & Ingram. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University. Elrod has been active in the chamber and numerous other community organizations.

You started in the banking industry. What led you to go another direction?

After several years in the banking and financial services industry, I had the opportunity to join Holland CPAs as chief operating officer in 1998. This career change proved to be a good fit. I enjoyed working with staff and clients, particularly in my human resource consulting role. With HR consulting, I worked with many governmental and not-for-profit agencies and witnessed the great impact they have on the lives of the people they serve. In considering my career options, I thought a service agency would be an area in which I could contribute my experience and abilities. Problem resolution is part of most every job, and I thoroughly enjoy helping people and effecting positive outcomes.

What you do at Goodwill Industries and how did you end up there?

Following the merger of Holland CPAs with Carr, Riggs & Ingram, I decided to look toward another career path since the chief operating officer position with CRI was in Enterprise, Ala., and already filled. I committed to stay one year past the merger to assist with the transition and completed that commitment before making the change to Goodwill Industries of Kentucky.

Goodwill Cars to Work is a not-for-profit automobile dealership. We work with individuals who have been referred to us by a governmental or social service agency. Our goal is to help individuals achieve and maintain employment by providing options for purchasing a reliable vehicle with an affordable payment. We work only with individuals who have been referred to us by a partnering agency and help these referred individuals obtain an affordable vehicle which can result in a refundable-interest loan if payments are made as agreed.

Cars in our program are sold at 80 percent of (National Automobile Dealers Association) value and include a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty with no deductible to cover most major repairs. Recipients make 24 monthly payments ranging between $150 and $275 per month based on the applicant’s budget, income and expenses. Recipients choose a vehicle in their price and payment range from our inventory of available vehicles. The recipient must obtain and maintain state-required minimum car liability insurance through an automobile insurance provider.

Most people are familiar with the Goodwill stores across the state but do not necessarily understand that the stores provide employment opportunities and fund job placement services. Donations to your local Goodwill store benefit the donor with a tax deduction and the opportunity to recycle and reuse clothing and household items, the customer with low-cost purchasing options, and the community by providing employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities or other disadvantages.

Store donations and purchases support employment opportunities locally through our Job Junction program in Bowling Green at 1806 U.S. 31-W By-Pass. Job Junction has placed more than 400 individuals in competitive employment in the past year in the Bowling Green area. We also accept vehicle donations in most areas of the state, including Bowling Green.

Who do you think are some influential women in Bowling Green?

Bowling Green recently lost Anne Grubbs, one of its most influential women. While she is no longer with us, her influence will be felt for years to come in the lives of the people she touched. She worked tirelessly despite her health challenges to make her adopted hometown a better place for all of us. Romanza Johnson is another great example in her community involvement with multiple agencies and not-for-profit organizations. She was the first Athena Award recipient and has set the bar very high for the rest of us. Peggy Loafman has been a great influence in my life and career and provided many opportunities for me and other women in Bowling Green.

 

Author Unknown (2014, October). Talk of the town with Vickie H. Elrod. Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.bgdailynews.com/features/talk-of-the-town-with-vickie-h-elrod/article_fa7263b3-49f6-54d0-b608-b77c0514fa77.html