William D. Wisecarver

Wiliam D. Wisecarver (aka Del Wisecarver) became President of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit in 1977. The then struggling agency was nursed back to health by Del's excellent leadership skills and creative passion for getting the job done. A tireless innovator and master architect, Mr. Wisecarver launched an industrial contract services division that forever broadened Goodwill's rapport with the business community. Notably, he eclipsed the ideology behind traditional "Sheltered Workshops" with a more empowering employment and training philosophy. Mr. Wisecarver was a pragmatist who made things happen - but also a visionary who dared to stretch the boundaries of the status quo.

In 1987, despite being located in a city plagued with plant closings and layoffs, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit continued to set records in placements. When compared to the 1986 placements of only 405, placements for 1987 increased by 50 percent. Del Wisecarver created a success in the face of despair that year and he repeated that success for many years.

Before retiring from almost 20 years of service and being entered into The Goodwill Industries Hall of Fame, Del notably developed the Detroit Edison account to create a partnership of success for all parties that continues to this day.