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SPOTLIGHT
Five tips from a proven leader FORMER SCIENCE COMMITTEE CHIEF OF STAFF CHUCK ATKINS OFFERS ADVICE FOR SUCCESS BY EDDY HOYLE
LOCAL SINCE 2009 Chuck Atkins is shown atop the presidential palace in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; with the late John McCain in Antarctica; with his wife, Merry, in France.
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Chuck Atkins is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps. His service to our country continued throughout his career. Atkins retired in 2010 as the Chief of Staff/Director of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, where he led a staff of scientists, engineers and attorneys in carrying out investigation, oversight and the legislative agenda for federal civilian research and development programs under jurisdiction of NASA, DOE, EPA, FAA, FEMA, NOAA, and others. Prior to this committee appointment he served as Chief of Staff for members of Congress and was elected President of the House Chiefs’ of Staff Association and a Stennis Center for Public Service Congressional Staff Fellow. He was also a founding partner in a consulting firm (Atkins-Elrod & Associates) that specialized in management, administration and finance for development projects, particularly re-development of historic properties. He also served as adjunct professor of political science and public policy at Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More College and was appointed by the governor to the Kentucky State Board of Education. Atkins hails from Atlanta, graduated from Georgia State University and earned a Master’s degree from Ohio State University. He and his wife, Merry, enjoy the slow, relaxed life of the Lowcountry, especially the water, playing golf and biking. Atkins is past president of the board at Berkeley Hall. He is the current president and a founding board member of Vantage Point Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to guide and support military veterans in South Carolina who have experienced wartime trauma to reintegrate into their communities. Here are his tips for success:
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