Episode Description:
If you grew your organization by over 30%, and had 800 employees and $30 million in revenue, you might think you had overcome a lot of challenges. But when your workforce is 75% handicapped and you realize that the unemployment rate for handicapped individuals is 49%, you realize there is a lot of work left to be done.
I hope you will join me as I visit with David Toogood, CEO of Work Services Corporation (WSC). A non-profit organization that focuses on opening up work opportunities for handicapped individuals. From food service to making paperclips, WSC fulfills government contracts and continues to develop new opportunities. David shares many of the leadership insights he has learned at WSC and through his unique workforce.
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About the guest:
David Toogood, CEO of Work Services Corporation, possesses a wealth of experience in organizational strategy and design, operational analysis, and corporate leadership skills. His leadership is central to the company’s reputation as a quality provider of federal and commercial services and manufacturer of specialty products.
David’s vision of continuous improvement and inspired by his authentic and collaborative leadership approach drives his organization. The company tackles the challenge of delivering quality while simultaneously achieving its non-profit mission of employing people with severe disabilities. He keeps a keen focus on people, building a healthy culture, and leveraging modern training tools and techniques. David’s efforts have led his team of over 800 employees to achieve top customer reviews. All while empowering those members with disabilities to grow and gain personal independence. For two of the last five years, the company’s flagship foodservice operation won awards for best service Air Force-wide. David successfully led the company’s revenue to grow by 30%, created 200 job new opportunities, and expanded into 2 new lines of business.
“Never underestimate what the human spirit can accomplish,” says Toogood. With over 25 years of experience instructing and leading some of our nation’s most talented airmen in fighter aviation and leading his team at Work Services Corporation. David has unique insight into human capacity and how to optimize a team’s performance.
Legislative Experience
With the complexities of both the federal acquisition process and government disability programs, David has become an active participant in the legislative process. By testifying in state committee hearings and working with congressional representatives to improve programs. David is also active in his community serving as the Vice President of the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation. Where his insight has helped the city retain and attract businesses with the objective of achieving economic impact through job growth. David also serves on the Texas Governor’s Committee to Support the Military where he helps legislators understand and act on the needs and issues facing military installations in the state.
US Air Force Experience
Previously, David was an officer in the US Air Force. He provided oversight for aviation programs for the Defense Contract Management Agency, directed classified aviation technology programs for the USAF Warfare Center, and served as an Inspector General. He also held the post of US Senior National Representative to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. Where he liaised with representatives from 13 partner nations to develop and implement the successful international aviation training program used today.
David earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from the US Air Force Academy and holds a master’s degree in Aviation Systems Safety from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He is an active member and participant in the National Council of SourceAmerica Employers. David lives in Wichita Falls, Texas, and is the proud husband of an entrepreneurial wife and father of five children.
About the host:
Following a successful career as CEO, Bobby sold his business to a publicly-traded company. In what he calls his “second half of life”, Bobby seeks to pour Biblically-based principles into growth-minded business leaders.
Through Values-Driven Leadership, Bobby serves as an Executive Coach and Training Consultant for organizations. He shares many of his principles and practices through a weekly blog, the True North Leader podcast, and through three books he has authored:
Principled Profits: Outward Success Is an Inside Job,
True North Business: A Leader’s Guide to Extraordinary Growth and Impact, and
The Freedom Paradox: Is Unbridled Freedom Dividing America?