CHARACTER COUNTS! Leadership and Faculty


A volunteer Leadership Council guides the Coalition's activities and an experienced faculty conducts Character Development Seminars and other training programs around the United States.

Leadership Council

Jim Vidak – CHAIR
Superintendent, Tulare County Office of Education (CA)

Stan Archie
President & CEO, Christian Fellowship Ministries (MO)

Robert Collins
Superintendent, Grossmont Union High School District

Wendy Doty, Ed.D
Superintendent, Downey Unified School District (CA)

Ron Kinnamon
Assistant National Executive Director, YMCA of the USA (retired)

Tammy Linn
President, Arizona Character Education Foundation

John Naber
Olympic Gold Medalist, Chairman, CC! Sports

Father Val Peter
Executive Director, Girls and Boys Town (retired)

Scott Raecker
Executive Director, Institute for Character Development, Drake University (IA)

Harold Slemmer, Ed.D
Director, Arizona Interscholastic Association

Gary Smit
Superintendent (retired), Lombard School District 44 (IL)


Michael Josephson
President and Founder, Josephson Institute and CHARACTER COUNTS!

Rich Jarc
Executive Director, Josephson Institute

National Faculty

Diane Ball     bio

Character Advisor and Reading Coach, Gila Bend Unified School District

Mark Britzman     bio

Professor of Counselor Education, South Dakota State University

Carrie Davis Marchant     bio

President, Foundations for Life Principles

Randy Doerksen     bio

Principal, Prosperity Elementary

John Forenti     bio

CHARACTER COUNTS! Coordinator (retired), Tulare County Office of Education

Marty Iroff     bio

Administrative Specialist, Office of Student Assistance Services, Knox County Schools

Gary Smit     bio

Superintendent (retired), Lombard School District 44 (IL)

Rachelle Vettern     bio

Leadership & Volunteer Development Specialist, North Dakota State University Extension Service