Character Counts! Nashville has appointed Harold Fogelberg, retired executive vice president of AmSouth Bank, as executive director. The appointment is effective January 8.
"Harold's acceptance of this important role greatly enhances our ability to reach every segment of the Nashville community," said Winfield Dunn, chair of the Character Counts! Nashville steering committee. "Our goal is to work with educators, elected and appointed public officials and companies, including professional sports organizations, to deliver the vital message of character education.
"With Harold's leadership, 2003 will be the year in which we make significant strides toward that goal. He is an outstanding citizen and leader and we are fortunate to have him accept this important and challenging role," Dunn said.
Fogelberg said he is the one who is honored to be working for Character Counts! Nashville.
"I am excited about the opportunity to lead the Character Counts! effort as I firmly believe that there is very much a need today to revisit the basic principles that guide us in making the right decisions in our everyday life," Fogelberg said. "Our programs are dedicated to building values in character development and ethical conduct. We will continue to be focused on working with the educational, governmental, business, non-profit and sports communities."
Fogelberg recently retired from AmSouth Bank after a 27-year career there. Prior to American/AmSouth, he held management positions at Aladdin Industries Inc. Fogelberg received an MBA in finance from Indiana University after earning a bachelor's degree in economics from Butler University.
He has worked on the board of directors for Family and Children Services, McKendree Village Inc., and a major bank trade association. He is an active 25-year member of the Brentwood Rotary and is an adjunct professor in the School of Business at Belmont University.
Character Counts! Nashville is a member of the national Character Counts! coalition. It is directed by a steering committee of 53 area business, civic, educational, and religious leaders.
Since its kickoff in April, nearly 40 companies, organizations, colleges, and schools have hosted character-training sessions, reaching nearly 7,000 participants.
More than 50 area residents who have been trained in the Character Counts! program are involved in the program's Speakers' Bureau and are available to speak at no charge.
Character Counts! Nashville is a 501(c)(3) organization that began as an initiative of the Center for Character Development at Lipscomb University, which is directed by Dr. Mary Morris. The offices of Character Counts! Nashville will continue to be housed at Lipscomb University.