Gerry Cunningham to Continue His Service as an Emeritus Director after Nine Years of Exemplary Leadership as Board Chair at Leading Human Services Organization
NEW YORK, April 8, 2024 — Volunteers of America-Greater New York’s (VOA-GNY) Board of Directors today announced that Reginald Goins, a highly experienced and respected leader in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, has been elected Board Chair effective April 8, 2024. Mr. Goins has served on the VOA-GNY Board of Directors since 2019, including serving as Vice Chair for the past two years. Mr. Goins’ appointment is part of a planned succession that includes Gerry Cunningham continuing his service to the organization as an Emeritus Director and voting Board member after nine years of exemplary leadership as Board Chair.
“It is an honor to serve as Chair of an organization at the forefront of addressing the rapidly growing human services crisis in our communities,” said Mr. Goins. “VOA-GNY’s deep experience providing housing, mental health, education, and financial innovation for children, families, veterans, and seniors is in dire need today, and I am committed to ensuring this incredible organization continues its robust advocacy for clients. I am grateful to Gerry for his many years of service to VOA-GNY, and on a more personal note, for his friendship.”
Mr. Goins’ tenure as Board Chair begins as the organization deepens its focus on innovative solutions to longstanding and emerging challenges in the New York region. VOA-GNY’s workforce of nearly 1,000 employees work year-round to support over 12,000 adults and children across 70+ locations in New York City, Westchester, and Northern New Jersey. Each year, the organization deploys its $150+ million budget through multiple critical programs to address the affordable housing, homelessness, education, and mental health crises facing the region.
Mr. Goins serves as President and COO of The Honickman Companies, a family of companies that manufactures and distributes soft drinks throughout New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. He has held leadership roles in the non-alcoholic beverage industry for over 25 years. Mr. Goins is a graduate of Morehouse College and Prairie View A&M University’s School of Business. Over the past four years, Mr. Goins and The Honickman Companies have raised more than $1.3 million in support of VOA-GNY’s programs.
“Reginald is a truly inspiring leader who centers a commitment to excellence and a deep respect for the dignity of others in every facet of his life,” said Jeffrey R. Ginsburg, who joined VOA-GNY as President and CEO on March 1, 2024. “I look forward to a continued partnership between the Board of Directors and the VOA-GNY leadership team to address the increasingly urgent human services crisis with thoughtful, creative solutions. I am also grateful to Gerry for his longstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to VOA-GNY, including his role in the search that brought me here.”
Mr. Cunningham is a retired Deloitte Principal and has served on the VOA-GNY Board of Directors for over 16 years. During his tenure as Chair, VOA-GNY renewed its focus on innovative models of service delivery, including the development of a first-of-its-kind pilot to screen survivors of domestic violence living in shelter for traumatic brain injury. Mr. Cunningham helped initiate this pilot by introducing the organization to neurosurgeon Dr. Edie Zusman, one of the world’s leading experts on diagnosing, treating, and preventing brain injury. During his tenure, he expanded VOA-GNY’s Board and led the effort to develop many meaningful relationships in the New York metropolitan region to support the organization.
“Serving on the VOA-GNY Board of Directors continues to be a tremendous source of pride for me,” said Mr. Cunningham. “Reginald has become an authentic, valued friend and I know he will be a tremendous Chair to help lead the organization forward. He shares a true determination and sense of urgency to improve the lives of those in greatest need.”
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About Volunteers of America—Greater New York
Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-Greater New York) is an anti-poverty organization with a rich 128-year history of serving its neighbors in need. The organization’s vision is fueled by its experience as a leading provider of services to families and individuals experiencing homelessness in the greater New York area. Through 70+ programs located in New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Westchester County—including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing—VOA-GNY delivers services to more than 12,000 adults and children annually. It is also the largest provider of residential services for veterans within a coalition that has virtually ended chronic homelessness for veterans in New York City. For more information, visit www.voa-gny.org.
Media Contact:
Rochelle Heinrichs, 646.531.0975, rheinrichs@voa-gny.org