Achieving True Success: How to Build Character As a Family

Book by Intl Association of Character Cities

In 1991, Kimray, Inc., an Oklahoma City manufacturing company, faced work force challenges, such as low productivity, illegal drug use, low morale, quality problems, absenteeism, and employee theft.

Tom Hill, president of Kimray, developed the Character First! program in order to help managers and employees build a common commitment to personal integrity. Every month Kimray emphasized one of 49 character qualities, using character bulletins to provide practical definitions. Supervisors publicly recognized employees for good character during monthly meetings, and Kimray provided ongoing training for managers on how to model and encourage good character.

Other companies saw the results at Kimray and requested information, and Kimray established the Character Training Institute to continue developing Character First! materials and seminars.

In 1996, police and school officials from Oklahoma City invited the Character Training Institute to develop a character-building curriculum for elementary schools. In 1998, Mayor Tom Ed McHugh of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, led community leaders in an initiative to turn Baton Rouge into "A City of CharacterA City that Cares," and the Character Training Institute formed the International Association of Character Cities (IACC) to support other government and community representatives in their efforts.

In 1999, the Character Training Institute became a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, and it continues to develop new resources for families, teachers, business managers, correctional facilities, and government agencies. The name Character First! is a registered trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office.