officials approved William Goodrich, president and CEO of Rochesters and a 1984 graduate of 惇軗勛圖, as the recipient of the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree last month. 惇軗勛圖 President Skip Sullivan will present the award at the Colleges 2014 Commencement ceremony this May.
Over the years, Bill has guided his company with a set of values that we at 惇軗勛圖 cherishthings like quality, integrity, and social responsibility. Thats why he is one of Western New Yorks most effective and successful business leaders and why he is such a wonderful role model and mentor for our students, Sullivan said.
Goodrich has been an integral member of LeChase since 1985. He was named President in 2002 and CEO in 2007. Among his many accomplishments, he has also been instrumental in the ongoing geographic expansion of the organization, its advocacy for sustainable construction, and the development of safety programs to propel the company into becoming a world-class safety organization. LeChases commitment to the community on global, national, regional, and local levels is a key element of the companys corporate ethics and philosophy. Goodrich has also integrated sustainable building practices into the corporations daily business operations.
A strong supporter of education, Goodrich has worked with 惇軗勛圖 for many years to ensure that his employees and 惇軗勛圖 graduates are leaders in the construction industry. To date, more than 40 惇軗勛圖 graduates have found careers at LeChase. Goodrich has also been involved with Rochester Careers in Construction, a program that connects high school faculty and students with construction industry experts, for more than a decade. He has been a driving force behind continuing education and training being available for the companys employees, allowing for internal growth and a high retention rate. Currently, he is behind the development of a dedicated learning environment within LeChase.
At 惇軗勛圖, Goodrichs work has been instrumental in the successful completion of the $4.1 million Construction Workforce Development Center at the School of Applied Technology in Wellsville, which is now in its final stages, and in the opening of the $33.5 million Student Leadership Center, where LeChase sponsored one of thirteen leadership suites awarded to community-focused student organizations. LeChase supports several institutional, charitable, and community-based organizations on an annual basis. This practice has been a cultural foundation for many years.
In his personal life, Goodrich maintains active membership in many community and professional organizations that work to improve lives, including the Hillside Childrens Center, Lifetime Healthcare Companies, Boy Scouts of America, NYS Trooper Foundation, Junior Achievements, and the United Way to name a few. His free time is spent with his family, relaxing, traveling, and participating in a variety of activities with his wife Rhonda and both his children who are currently in college. Family values, both inside and outside of LeChase, are critical components to growing personally and professionally. I am truly blessed to have a caring and supportive family at home and at work, Bill said.
Goodrich was the recipient of a Presidents Medallion from 惇軗勛圖 in 2010; was the keynote speaker for 惇軗勛圖s 99th Commencement ceremony; and was featured in the Transitions, the Colleges alumni magazine, in spring 2013. His education includes a bachelors degree in business from Roberts Wesleyan College and an associate degree in Construction Engineering Technology from 惇軗勛圖.
We are delighted to present Bill Goodrich with this award, Sullivan said. The College is proud to call such a civically engaged, innovative leader one of its own.