WASHINGTON, July 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Much about leadership is left to timing and, somewhat, to chance. An executive, for example, might be asked to assume a leadership role when the state of the industry in which the business serves is experiencing unprecedented turmoil. Or perhaps the industry is brand new and each decision has broader, longer-term impacts that will literally shape the business landscape. Each situation poses its own set of challenges. How he or she approaches those challenges can forever define that leader's capabilities.

The Imagine America Foundation has been fortunate to benefit from the right leadership at the right time. It is the IAF's honor to pay tribute to the following three Chairmen of the Board of the Foundation, who provided exactly the right guidance at key moments of our organization's existence. In a special presentation at the 2012 Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) Convention in Las Vegas, IAF honored those leaders and the key decisions each made in helping us grow the Foundation and its reach within the career college sector of higher education.

The following former chairmen of the Imagine America Foundation were honored on June 21:

• Joe Davis, former CEO and President of Medtech College was chairman from 2005 to 2008. Experience and familiarity with the mission of career education marked Joe Davis' lengthy tenure with the Foundation. In 2007, Joe was a calm voice and steady hand guiding IAF to becoming a stand-alone entity separate from its sister organization, the Career College Association. His contributions to the sector and the Foundation will continue to make a difference for current and future students.

• Michael Platt, founder and Executive Chairman of PlattForm Advertising was chairman from 2008 to 2009. Michael was charged with keeping the Foundation's performance at its top-most level while expanding its influence, Michael constantly sought to promote participation and actively recruit new board members. Under Michael's leadership, the board determined that marketing and branding would bring more schools into the programs and that customer service would keep them involved.

• Jim Gessner, President of Duluth Business University was chairman from 2009 to 2011. Nearly 30 years ago, Jim began his relationship with the Foundation and building the familiarity with its inner-workings that would help guide his decisions as chairman. His primary goal was to create new ways of generating funds to support Foundation operations, complete its research projects and address its many other responsibilities. Jim helped draft a plan for the Foundation's future and began putting it into motion.

The Foundation is forever indebted to their leadership. To view our special publication, visit www.imagine-america.org/board-directors or contact Robert L. Martin, President and CEO, Imagine America Foundation.

Contact: Robert L. Martin, President and CEO, Imagine America Foundation
Phone: (202) 336-6758
E-mail: bobm@imagine-america.org

About the Imagine America Foundation
The Imagine America Foundation (IAF), established in 1982, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships for education, research and training support for the career college sector. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided over $75 million in scholarship and award support for graduating high school seniors, adult learners and U.S. military personnel attending career colleges nationwide through its award-winning Imagine America® programs. The Foundation also publishes vital research publications for the higher education sector, honors achievement in career education and offers faculty development training. For more information about the Imagine America Foundation's programs, please visit www.imagine-america.org.

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