Bobby Dodd Institute originally started in 1960 as a program at the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities (AADD), which was then known as Atlanta Retarded Citizens. The purpose of the program was to provide hands-on job training to individuals with disabilities. In 1989, the program spun off from AADD to become the Bobby Dodd Industries. The new organization was named in honor of Coach Bobby Dodd of Georgia Tech, a football legend and tireless advocate for people with disabilities. In 2000, Bobby Dodd Industries changed its name to Bobby Dodd Institute to more accurately reflect the learning nature of our program and with the generous support of the philanthropic community, BDI moved into its current 50,000-square-foot facility on Marietta Boulevard following a highly successful capital campaign. This marked the beginning of a dramatic growth period for the agency. Led by a dynamic new leadership team headed by President & CEO Wayne McMillan, a strategic vision was adopted which focused on four key areas: building a solid staff team, engaging customers and stakeholders, board development and sound fiscal management. The reorganization yielded impressive results. In the past four years, BDI has almost tripled the number of clients served and increased its operating budget 92 percent to $5.3 million. In FY 2006, BDI served approximately 600 and placed 205 people with disabilities and disadvantages into jobs. Wages earned by successful BDI clients along with decreased public assistance annually creates an economic impact of more than $2.5 million, which compounds over time as clients retain and grow in their new jobs. At a time when many nonprofits were forced to downsize, BDI's diverse funding base and top-quality management enabled the agency to defy trends by enhancing programs and increasing capacity. For this success, BDI was named the 2004 recipient of the prestigious Managing for Excellence Award given by The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. Backed by a dedicated board of directors and a committed, highly qualified staff, BDI is primed for continued growth.