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

Peggy Adkins     bio

Extension Specialist (retired)

Kay Augustine     bio

President, KA Consulting and Training

Diane Ball     bio

Character Advisor and Reading Coach, Gila Bend Unified School District

Mark Britzman     bio

Professor of Counselor Education, South Dakota State University

Jacqui Clay     bio

Army Command Sergeant Major (retired), Center for Academic Success High School

Nat Cooper     bio

VP Global Affairs / Director, Center for Character Development, Lubbock Christian 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

Donna Glassman-Sommer     bio

Proram Manager - IMPACT Intern/Teacher Recruitment, Tulare County Office of Education

Marty Iroff     bio

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

Luis Ortiz     bio

Assistant Principal, Cole Canyon Elementary School

Gary Smit     bio

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

Larry Smith     bio

Executive Director, AGAPE Institute of Mediation & Ethics

Rachelle Vettern     bio

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

Mary Jo Williams     bio

Character Education Specialist, Child and Youth Services - U.S. Army / Missouri 4-H