On Monday October 22, 2007, CHARACTER COUNTS! Nashville participated in an event that celebrated National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week (Oct 21-27) at the David Lipscomb Middle School.  

The Middle School Chapel was packed with youngsters and after a skit by some of the Lipscomb staff, WSMV-TV award-winning newscaster Rudy Kalis and former All-Pro Titan Football Player Chris Sanders addressed the students and did a skit of their own.

 Chris Sanders told the students that he wanted to be remembered in life as a good man who did the right thing rather than the great athlete and record setter he once was. Rudy Kalis talked about how words can hurt others when they are not kind.

 Then Rudy and Chris did a skit where Rudy played the bully and Chris the victim. Rudy’s very sweet three-year old grandson Cade had come along to watch the event and when he heard the skit HE began to cry! After the skit was over Rudy explained that Cade had never heard his Grandfather talk in a hurtful way to anyone and even though it was only a skit, Cade was upset about it.

 We think Cade sent a powerful message to the David Lipscomb Students about the damage hurtful words can do even to those who just happen to overhear them.

Also, attending our event was Pat Stella, President of Fire Sprinkler LLC and Chairman of our Board as well as Walt Leaver, Vice President of Lipscomb University Relations.

 Finally, a big thank you to Ritchie Pickens, Director of the David Lipscomb Middle School.

Tom Carr Named Executive Director of Character Counts Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee – Character Counts of Nashville, an organization designed to promote personal character development in schools and the workplace, today announced the appointment of Tom Carr as Executive Director according to Pat Stella, Chairman of the Board.

As Executive Director Carr will oversee all aspects of development and management of CHARACTER COUNTS! Nashville which fosters positive character education throughout the Middle Tennessee region.

“Tom has an exceptional leadership background with service in both the military and corporate world as well,” said Stella. “He is perfectly suited for the position and I’m sure that he will lead our organization to greater heights.”

Carr previously served as Director of Operations for Wade & Egbert Insurance Partners in Green Hills.

A decorated veteran, Carr served two tours in Germany. His military service also includes serving in the Pentagon on the Secretary of the Army’s staff and five years in the White House Communications Agency where he was responsible for supporting the President , Vice President, National Security Council and Secret Service in all their information technology needs. Carr also traveled in support of the President on over 90 official trips abroad and flew over 30 missions aboard Air Force One as Personal Communications Officer to the President.

He retired from the U.S. Army in 2001 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years of service.

Active in the local community as well, Carr serves as Vice President of the Rotary Club of Brentwood and as a Committee Member of Boy Scout Troup 93.

A Nashville native, Carr attended Columbia Military Academy and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University while on a full four year Army ROTC scholarship. He also holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

About Character Counts

CHARACTER COUNTS! Nashville is a nonprofit organization, which believes that there are certain enduring and universal truths that define the essence of good character. CHARACTER COUNTS! recognizes trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship as the six pillars of character. Through an affiliation with the Josephson Institute of Ethics, CHARACTER COUNTS!  Nashville establishes partnerships with schools, governmental agencies, businesses, sports organizations and other nonprofits in Middle Tennessee.