RTI International partners with Travis Manion Foundation to inspire students to live with character

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – RTI International has partnered with the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) to bring the organization’s Character Does Matter program to North Carolina.

The Travis Manion Foundation empowers veterans and the families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. RTI has nearly 70 U.S. military veteran staff members at its Research Triangle Park headquarters.

“At RTI, our mission is to improve the human condition. This starts with the individual, by encouraging future generations to be strong leaders and citizens who embody courage and integrity,” said Ward Sax, vice president, treasurer and chief risk officer at RTI and a veteran of the Navy. “We are excited about the opportunity to reach out into our community and provide service through the Character Does Matter program.”

RTI is donating staff members’ time, resources and funding to the partnership, which will allow the Travis Manion Foundation to open its first North Carolina office in Raleigh.

RTI and TMF will recruit and train veterans in the region as ambassadors to take part in the Character Does Matter program, including post 9/11 RTI veteran staff members and other members of the RTI community. Ambassadors will go into local middle and high schools and use stories of fallen heroes to engage youth in a discussion of what it means to live with strong character and demonstrate leadership. The ambassadors will empower young adults to display character through their decisions and actions in their own community.

The program is not a recruitment effort for the military. The Character Does Matter program provides veterans with a renewed opportunity to serve, a redefined role in their community, and the platform to engage our youth in the essential discussion of character and servant leadership.  This process benefits our veterans, our youth, and our nation, one community at a time.  TMF is extremely fortunate to have the support and involvement in this effort from the incredible community at RTI. The Travis Manion Foundation will be represented in the region by Albie Masland, who serves as the Director of Southeast Programs.