FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA—FEBRUARY 26, 2025—Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) supporters, friends, and staff celebrated the grand opening of the organization’s newest resource lab. Fully equipped with the latest computer technology, the specialized room will provide participants in BDI’s Job and Career Services with the skills and resources they need to succeed in the workforce.
The space is named in memory and honor of Bill Moorer—a longtime BDI board member and fierce advocate for the disability community.
With his generous donation, Jim Balkcom, a West Point and Harvard Business School graduate who served in Vietnam, wanted to honor the memory of his beloved friend, Bill. Their friendship began years ago at Georgia Tech, where Jim and Bill, both freshmen at the time, played football under Coach Bobby Dodd. As often happens, true friendship never dies. Sixteen years later, a business partnership brought Jim and Bill back together. While building a successful business, Bill never lost his passion for helping people with disabilities. Jim witnessed Bill’s work in the community and his growing dedication to the mission. These memories inspired Jim to reach out to BDI and contribute to a cause he also believes in.
Bill says, “It’s important to give people [with disabilities] opportunities to show what they can do. The employees here just exceed expectations when they get into the workforce, and they become employees who are more dependable. The turnover is lower, and it adds to the quality of life and the quality of humanity.”
BDI participants will now have a dedicated space to receive in-person support and resources to help them on their path to employment. They will have the opportunity to build new skills while receiving face-to-face support.
“We want to thank Jim and the Bill Moorer family for the donation in memory of Bill. It’s going to create a long-lasting impact for our participants, allowing them to have access to tools, services, and support. We have been delivering services, and it’s working, but part of BDI’s value is continuous improvement. This donation allows us to enhance how we deliver services. It helps us create more efficiency, serving more people,” said Ilond Zombil Tshipau, VP of Program Services at Bobby Dodd Institute.
About Bobby Dodd Institute
Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping people with disabilities to maximize their potential through supportive services. BDI offers a continuum of support for all ages, stages, and levels of need for people with disabilities and their families. BDI also operates several social enterprises to fund its programs and to place people with differing abilities in inclusive-minded workplaces. These business services include Contact Center and Switchboard Operations, Mailroom Management, Facility Management Supply Chain and Logistics Solutions.
BDI began as a program at All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) in 1960. After decades apart, the two organizations merged in 2018 to reconnect their shared mission and better serve those with disabilities. BDI is proud to carry on the legacy of the former Georgia Tech football coach, dedicated volunteer, and passionate advocate of individuals with disabilities—Bobby Dodd. BDI serves people with disabilities throughout Georgia and has worksites in five states.
