AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson Named 36th National President of The Boy Scouts of America

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May 26, 2016, 07:37 ET

IRVING, Texas, May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) National Council today elected Randall Stephenson, AT&T's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, as the organization's national president. In this volunteer role, Mr. Stephenson will lead the National Executive Board, which guides the Boy Scouts of America as it serves 2.3 million youth members. He is the 36th president of the BSA, following Former Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates.

Mr. Stephenson becomes national president effective immediately. He will serve two, one-year terms.

"I thank Dr. Gates for his vision and leadership these past two years, and I'm honored to build on his work," said Mr. Stephenson. "The Boy Scouts of America remains one of the best character-building and leadership development organizations in the world. The values Scouts learn as young men – integrity, selflessness and self-reliance – are fundamental to a strong, healthy society. It's no surprise that so many of America's leaders, in every field of endeavor and from all walks of life, have Scouting in their backgrounds."

Mr. Stephenson joined the BSA Executive Board in 2005. He became a member of the executive committee in 2008.

"It is a true testament to the strength and impact of the Boy Scouts of America that two extremely accomplished, successful and high integrity leaders, Dr. Gates and Randall Stephenson, volunteer their time to help guide our path forward," said Mike Surbaugh, BSA's Chief Scout Executive. "Thank you to Dr. Gates for serving as our National President. We will remain eternally grateful to you and your unwavering leadership and commitment to Scouting.

"Moving forward in our mission to serve America's youth by teaching them leadership and developing their character, Mr. Stephenson is a shining example," said Mr. Surbaugh. "As the leader of one of the world's most innovative communications companies, Mr. Stephenson will help us fuel our effort to bring fresh, relevant and high impact experiences to youth and families."

Mr. Stephenson was named Chairman and CEO of AT&T in 2007.

About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be "Prepared. For Life.®" The Scouting organization is composed of more than 2.3 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21 and nearly 1 million volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

SOURCE Boy Scouts of America