Growing up, Jon Gold had a lot of questions regarding what career he wanted to pursue, but all it took was one advertisement to answer them all.
Gold grew up in Valparaiso with his brother and two sisters. He was able to experience a lot of the world from a young age.
“My father was an orthopedic physician in the area and my mother was from London,” Gold said. “We went to Europe several times when I was a kid. My parents like to travel, and they took us to a lot of places growing up.”
His college journey involved a lot of traveling as well. He started at Indiana University, where he received his bachelor's degree in accounting. He would then further his education at Valparaiso University and St. Joseph’s College, the latter in which he got his teaching license for business.
Today, Gold is the chief executive officer of TradeWinds Services, a nonprofit organization that provides services for children and adults with disabilities, but finding himself at TradeWinds today is not something that Gold always envisioned.
“I saw the advertisement in the newspaper one day for an accounting position back when the facility was in Gary,” Gold said. “I just decided to apply, and I was accepted. This was my first real job out of college within my field. Then, I was promoted to the chief financial officer, and my career started to take off over the next eight years with the company.”
However, by the end of eight years, Gold was seeking a change. He ran his own certified public accountant (CPA) business in Portage for the next three years.
That was until one of the board members at TradeWinds ran into him asking if he was interested in coming back to consult, and he has been there since.
“After having my own CPA business for a couple of years, it geared me up for how to properly run an organization,” Gold said. “The one thing it taught me the most is how a business can sink or swim based on all of your own decisions.”
TradeWinds consists of 250 employees. The company offers many ways for people to donate, volunteer or sponsor events. As the CEO, Gold takes on the responsibility of being a goal-oriented leader that helps serve the community, the Board of Directors, the staff and clients that all depend on TradeWinds to provide assistance services.
“It’s a great organization,” Gold said. “I can use my skills as a business person and also have a compassionate cause to come every day. Not many people with an accounting degree end up in the nonprofit portion, but it has played a huge part in my life which motivates me to always give 100% back to the organization.”
During his free time, Gold enjoys some relaxation time in the comfort of his home. Similar to his parents, he enjoys traveling every chance he gets. Currently, he plays in two hardball leagues. He also enjoys attending sporting events or concerts when the opportunity presents itself.
Gold doesn’t see himself slowing down anytime soon either. He loves what he does and plans to continue going with the flow over time.