Press/Journalists

Foundation for the National Archives Welcomes Two New Members
Press Release · Monday, April 15, 2002

Washington, DC

Charles Guggenheim, President of the Foundation for the National Archives, announced the election of Thomas E. Wheeler and Jerry E. Finger as new members of the Board of Directors at its spring meeting on April 8.

Jerry Finger lives in Houston, Texas. He is Vice Chairman of Bank of America, Texas. Mr. Finger serves as Managing Partner of Finger Interests, Ltd., and is the President and Director of Ambassador Life Insurance Company. He is an Adjunct Professor of the Jones Business School at Rice University, Chairman of the Board of Visitors of Texas A&M University-Galveston, a member of the board of the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a member of the Board of Visitors of The University Cancer Foundation of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a Fellow at the Aspen Institute, a Director of Anderson Ranch in Aspen, a member of the National Board of the Aspen Art Museum and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Alley Theatre in Houston.

Thomas E. Wheeler has been a leader in the cable, wireless and video communications industry for the last 25 years. He is currently the President and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. Prior to that, he headed the National Cable Television Association. Mr. Wheeler is also known as an expert on the Civil War. He is the author of "Take Command! Leadership Lessons from the Civil War." Described as "My favorite kind of book," by Sen. Tom Daschle, "Take Command" profiles nine specific leadership lessons and illustrates them with in-depth stories of battlefield decisions and their results from the Civil War. In a C-SPAN interview with Brian Lamb, Mr. Wheeler described his interest in the Civil War as dating back to his childhood: "My grandfather taught me to love history, and before I could drive, he had walked me around almost all of the major battlefields of the eastern theater of the Civil War and made them come to life before my eyes."

In welcoming the new members to the Foundation, Mr. Guggenheim said, "Each time the Board meets, I am reminded of how important the National Archives is in educating Americans about our democracy and in preserving for future generations the original documents that have shaped our collective memory. For the past ten years, the Foundation for the National Archives has joined with the Archives in support of significant educational and outreach programs that enrich, enlighten, and educate Americans. This is an exciting and august task to which Tom Wheeler and Jerry Finger bring a mix of business acumen and love of history. They share an enthusiasm for public service and a dedication to civic and philanthropic causes. As we join with the Archives to set a new course in public outreach, both Tom and Jerry will be invaluable."

Archivist of the United States, John Carlin said: "We want every American who enters the National Archives Building or visits us through cyberspace to feel that they are on a voyage of discovery. We want all who come to understand that our holdings help them understand their past as they pursue truth and justice today. The Foundation is partnering with the National Archives to create this 'National Archives Experience.' In accepting invitations to serve on the Board, Tom Wheeler and Jerry Finger will play a major role in making it a reality."

The Foundation for the National Archives is a 501[c]3 organization that helps the National Archives bring our nation's documentary heritage to the American people. Since 1992, the Foundation has joined with private partners to support significant educational and outreach programs of the National Archives. There are currently 22 members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation. For more information on how to support the efforts of the Foundation, call 301/713-6146.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail. Visit the National Archives Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.archives.gov.

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