Peter Marcus

President & CEO Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties

Last Reviewed: September 27, 2026

Executive Summary

Peter “Pete” Marcus is President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, the Oxnard-based nonprofit that runs donated-goods stores and online sales to fund job-training and workforce programmes on California’s Central Coast. A Ventura County native with an accounting degree and an MBA from local Cal State campuses, he joined the organisation in February 2014 and took over as chief executive in 2017. Across his tenure the organisation’s annual revenue has grown from about $25 million to $45.5 million, according to its IRS filings.

Career Highlights

• President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, listed as such on its Form 990 for each tax year from 2018 to 2024.
• Succeeded Katherine Leahy as chief executive during 2017, three years after joining Goodwill.
• Oversaw growth in total revenue from $25.3 million in 2018 to $45.5 million in 2024, with a rebound from $23.0 million in pandemic-affected 2020 to $36.4 million in 2021.
• Before Goodwill, worked at the County of Ventura and Salem Media Group and launched a start-up company.
• Serves on the organisation’s Board of Directors alongside a volunteer board.

Professional Journey

Marcus was born and raised in Ventura County. He earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting at California State University, Northridge, and later a Master of Science in business administration at California State University, Channel Islands. His early career spanned local government at the County of Ventura, the media company Salem Media Group, and a start-up company he launched himself.

He joined Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties in February 2014. The organisation, which received its IRS tax-exempt ruling in 1997, operates in the Goodwill model: donated clothing and household goods are sold through its retail stores and online channels, including ShopGoodwill.com, Amazon and eBay, and the proceeds fund mission services that help people prepare for and find work. Its tax filings show a leadership transition in 2017, when both Katherine Leahy, the previous chief executive, and Marcus were reported as President and CEO; from 2018 onward Marcus is listed alone.

Under his leadership the organisation has grown substantially. Total revenue reported on its Form 990 rose from $25.3 million in 2018 to $27.1 million in 2019, fell to $23.0 million in 2020 as the pandemic closed stores, then recovered to $36.4 million in 2021, $37.8 million in 2022, $41.0 million in 2023 and $45.5 million in 2024. The organisation is headquartered in Oxnard and governed by an all-volunteer board of directors, on which Marcus also sits.

Outside the office he coaches youth sports, volunteers with other local nonprofits and is active in the Rotary Club of Oxnard.

Education

California State University, Northridge

Bachelor of Science, Accounting

California State University Channel Islands

Master of Science, Business Administration