General Fred Forster Institute

Named in honor of the late Blount County Chamber of Commerce CEO, civic/ community leader, friend of the academy and retired General Fred Forster, the General Fred Forster Institute works to support the needs of local business, industry, education and young people in the region. Collaborating with local Chambers of Commerce, Tennessee Career Centers, local business, industry, and public educational systems, the academy provides a variety of youth employment cultural and training programs, and services.

The Academy assists local business by serving as a linkage to youthful employees, training resources, civic groups and local government, creating exciting partnering opportunities.

Major Areas of Emphasis

• Employability Skills Training/Pre-employment Skills
• Job Specific Training
• Work Experience
• Youth Leadership Training
• College Prep/Academic Support/Tutoring
• Supportive Services
• Cultural Arts programs are made available though partnership with The Clayton Center for the Arts, Agito, Maryville College and Appalachian Ballet Company.
• Entrepreneurial training opportunities are offered through the Chamber of Commerce partnership
• Volunteerism-Community Service- Young people are assigned community and civic related projects to promote networking opportunities and develop social skills.
• Community Based Organizational Partnerships

Fred Forster Institiute Advisory Board

Monica Gawett- President/CEO Tennessee Marble Company
Andy White, Training Manager, Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc.
Aneshia Brown, Financial Aid Coordinator
Sharon Ferguson, Director, Martin Luther King Center
Virginia Hardwick, Staffing Solutions

Youth Leadership Programs

Continuing the eight year history of Faith Based youth development activities, the Leadership Programs offers the opportunity for ministry and service oriented groups to partner with the Academy.

Middle and high applicants are referred to as Leadership Cadets and attend a weekly self-development session. Weekly monitoring of academic progress and conduct allows volunteers to address personal and family issues that can interfere with achievement or attendance.

Cadets receive academy-provided tutoring. Maryville College students working to meet community service requirements provide academic support and tutoring on a weekly basis. The Academy also provides voice, dance and music lessons, and encourages holistic growth and development. Participants in the Leadership component are enrolled in a 20-week course. During the course, incentives are offered to reach a goal of perfect school attendance and honor roll status. Support is given to assist in reaching these goals. The academy helps to insure that each cadet has the necessary tools to be successful, such as school supplies, clothing, activity fees, laptop computers etc.

Leadership Cadets are consistently reaching the goal of perfect attendance and at an increasing rate, obtaining honor roll status...

Leadership Kiddets
Designed to serve as a “feeder” for the middle and high school programs, the Leadership Kiddets are elementary students selected to participate in activities designed to improve their opportunities for success. Values, team building, study skills, manners, self-respect, and respect for others are a few of the major emphasis for the “Leadership Kiddets” Local elementary schools refer “Kiddet” applicants who must also apply and interview.

Rewards and incentives help make academic achievement and school attendance more important to kiddets.

The Kramer Summer Leadership Camp and Youth Congress

This camp is named in memory of the historic Blount County family of former Southeastern Conference Commissioner Roy Kramer and is the annual gathering of young people participating in Richard Williams Jr. Leadership Development Academy local efforts, as well as existing or start-up units from several communities or churches. Young people are invited to participate in the week long camp based on attendance, academics, and attitude indicated during the academic year. Hosted by Maryville College, and sponsored by major local employers, DENSO, and The Alcoa City Center, the camp supplements the year-round Leadership Academy emphasis on excellence and achievement. Selected young people participate in a comprehensive week of developmental activities emphasizing Personal/professional development, academic preparation fellowship and fun. This gives the cadet a college like experience as well as an intense week of development. Cadets live on campus, attend classes, visit local business and industry as well attend college preparation seminars.

The Academy expanded in 2011 to meet the increasing need for youth leadership development activities. Three Divisions of the Kramer Camp offer a wide variety of programs enhancing the leadership and professional potential of participants.

The Kramer Camp offers three youth camp experiences in one action packed week. Three divisions of the camp are:

1. The Rising Leadership Division-George Williams, Camp Director
   Developing elementary school aged candidates for the employment and leadership training programs of the Richard Williams Jr. Leadership Development Academy.


2. The Community Leadership Division-Alice Allen, Camp Director
   Working with youth to develop the community, business and church leaders of tomorrow.


3. Career Development Division-Steven Gorman, Camp Director
   Works to develop educational opportunities, pre-employment and leadership skills for youth.