John Gottschalk
Encyclopedia
John E. Gottschalk (ˈɡɒtʃɔːk; b. 1943) is the retired chief executive officer
and publisher of the Omaha World-Herald
and was the national president of the Boy Scouts of America from 2008 to 2010. He and his wife, Carmen, are known for their philanthropy.
. He was a Boy Scout from 1951 to 1958, earning the rank of Life Scout. His grandfather, Bill Barnes founded the weekly newspaper Sheridan County Star. Gottschalk's father became owner and publisher of the Star, and young Gottschalk began working for the Star. He attended the University of Nebraska and majored in political science and journalism. He was the president of Phi Gamma Delta
.
Gottschalk then purchased the Sidney Telegraph. He was the mayor of Sidney, Nebraska
from 1972 to 1975.
During Gottschalk's tenure, the World-Herald Corporation expanded to include four daily newspapers, 21 weekly community newspapers, direct marketing and product fulfillment companies and minority ownership in the largest election-services company.
Gottschalk retired as CEO and publisher of the World-Herald on January 1, 2008 but remained the corporate chairman.
, and received the Silver Beaver Award
, Silver Antelope Award
and the James E. West Award. He is also a member of the 1910 Society and the Founders Circle. He received the national Silver Buffalo Award
in 2002. He served as the chairman for the Mid-America Council from 1994 to 1995, the president of the Central Region, the national chairman for the 2001 National Scout Jamboree and the national executive vice president of the BSA from 2006 to 2008. Gottschalk was selected as the national president of the BSA on May 23, 2008.
He has served on the boards of the Joslyn Art Museum
, the Henry Doorly Zoo
, Creighton University
, the Kiewit Institute, the Omaha Symphony and the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation and served as chairman of Omaha Performing Arts.
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
and publisher of the Omaha World-Herald
Omaha World-Herald
The Omaha World-Herald, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is the primary daily newspaper of Nebraska, as well as portions of southwest Iowa. For decades it circulated daily throughout Nebraska, and in parts of Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri, Colorado and Wyoming. In 2008, distribution was reduced to the...
and was the national president of the Boy Scouts of America from 2008 to 2010. He and his wife, Carmen, are known for their philanthropy.
Early life
Gottschalk grew up in Rushville, NebraskaRushville, Nebraska
Rushville is a city in Sheridan County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 890 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Sheridan County.-Geography:Rushville is located at ....
. He was a Boy Scout from 1951 to 1958, earning the rank of Life Scout. His grandfather, Bill Barnes founded the weekly newspaper Sheridan County Star. Gottschalk's father became owner and publisher of the Star, and young Gottschalk began working for the Star. He attended the University of Nebraska and majored in political science and journalism. He was the president of Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Gamma Delta
The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta is a collegiate social fraternity with 120 chapters and 18 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA...
.
Gottschalk then purchased the Sidney Telegraph. He was the mayor of Sidney, Nebraska
Sidney, Nebraska
Sidney is a city in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,282 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cheyenne County.-History:The city was named for Sidney Dillon, a railroad attorney...
from 1972 to 1975.
World-Herald
Gottschalk sold the Telegraph in 1974 and began working for the World-Herald in 1975 as an assistant to the president. He became a vice president and board member in 1980, president in 1985 and CEO and publisher in 1989.During Gottschalk's tenure, the World-Herald Corporation expanded to include four daily newspapers, 21 weekly community newspapers, direct marketing and product fulfillment companies and minority ownership in the largest election-services company.
Gottschalk retired as CEO and publisher of the World-Herald on January 1, 2008 but remained the corporate chairman.
Community service
Gottschalk has been active in the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, and received the Silver Beaver Award
Silver Beaver Award
The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council...
, Silver Antelope Award
Silver Antelope Award
The Silver Antelope Award is the regional-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America and recognizes outstanding service to young people within one of the four regions of the BSA...
and the James E. West Award. He is also a member of the 1910 Society and the Founders Circle. He received the national Silver Buffalo Award
Silver Buffalo Award
The Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis, either as part of, or independent of the Scouting program...
in 2002. He served as the chairman for the Mid-America Council from 1994 to 1995, the president of the Central Region, the national chairman for the 2001 National Scout Jamboree and the national executive vice president of the BSA from 2006 to 2008. Gottschalk was selected as the national president of the BSA on May 23, 2008.
He has served on the boards of the Joslyn Art Museum
Joslyn Art Museum
The Joslyn Art Museum is the principal fine arts museum in the state of Nebraska, United States of America. Located in Omaha, it is the only museum in the state with a comprehensive permanent collection...
, the Henry Doorly Zoo
Henry Doorly Zoo
The Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is a zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, located at 3701 South 10th Street.It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Its mission is conservation, research, recreation, and education.Omaha's Henry Doorly...
, Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
, the Kiewit Institute, the Omaha Symphony and the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation and served as chairman of Omaha Performing Arts.
Awards
- Woodrow Wilson Foundation National Distinguished Public Service Award to Carmen and John Gottschalk
- 1998 Outstanding Service Profession award, University Nebraska Alumni
- 1998 Citizen of the Year award, Boy Scouts of America
- 2007 Ambassador Award to Carmen and John Gottschalk, Child Saving Institute