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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—Long-time Womble Bond Dickinson partner Mike Gunter has been honored by Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina for more than three decades of volunteer service to the organization.
Gunter is the 2017 recipient of Goodwill’s Heritage Award, given to individuals who have made a significant, long-lasting contribution to the success of Goodwill and its mission. The Heritage Award is the highest honor that Goodwill gives, and has only been awarded four times in Goodwill’s 91-year history.
Gunter joined Goodwill’s Board of Directors in 1986, helping the organization grow and prosper. During that time, Goodwill has grown from 11 stores in northwest NC to 47 stores today. The organization now employs 1,100 workers, compared to just 118 when Gunter started. Today, Goodwill helps more than 35,000 people gain marketable skills, find jobs and reach financial stability.
Under his leadership, Goodwill achieved a key accreditation from CARF. The organization recently received its ninth consecutive three-year CARF accreditation. Gunter also helped Goodwill form an affiliation with the Crosby Scholars Community Partnership in 2012.
He also has served as chair of the Board’s Finance Committee for 11 years, as a member of the Executive Committee for 20 years, as Secretary/Treasurer for 10 years, and as Board Chair in both 1988 and 2002.
Gunter was honored at a Nov. 2 event in Winston-Salem. “Goodwill makes things happen – when we say we help people we really do – it’s huge – and you can’t do it without the funding – it drives the train,” he said.
Gunter practiced at Womble Bond Dickinson (then Womble Carlyle) from 1974 until his retirement last year.
