Irving, Texas (May 26, 2016) — The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) National Council today announced Charles W. Dahlquist II as the organization’s National Commissioner. In this volunteer role, Mr. Dahlquist will lead efforts to help chartered organizations and BSA leadership achieve the aims of Scouting to benefit 2.3 million youth members the BSA serves today. The transition of a National Commissioner is rarer than that of National President and Chief Scout Executive. In fact, Mr. Dahlquist becomes only the tenth National Commissioner in the movement’s history, following Tico Perez, who previously served in the role for eight years.
A member of the National Executive Board from 2004 – 2009 and again commencing in 2015, Mr. Dahlquist began his adult service to the BSA in 1975 when he became a Unit Commissioner in the National Capitol Area Council. He was also a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer in Boise, Idaho as a youth. Dahlquist is a former Scoutmaster and Explorer adviser and has also served as vice president of Exploring and as Council President of the Great Salt Lake Council of the BSA. He has previously received the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope and Silver Buffalo awards as well as the National Venturing Service Award and served as assistant head chaplain and head chaplain for the 2005 and 2010 National Scout Jamborees, respectively; as well as the contingent chair for the BSA’s participation in the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan.
“Scouting, in all its programs, is more relevant and needed by youth and families today than ever before to help develop character and leadership that will empower this generation to face the challenges of the future.” said Mr. Dahlquist. “I am honored to build on the tradition that Tico Perez established before me to serve as the National Commissioner to continue to strengthen the bonds between the Boy Scouts of America and our charter organizations that deliver the program in communities nationwide.”
A Utah native, attorney and civic and community leader, Charles Dahlquist has also served as Young Men General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chair of the General Church Scouting Committee from 2004-2009 and served as a Mission President for the LDS Church in the Germany Hamburg Mission.
“The energy that Charles Dahlquist brings as the incoming National Commissioner uniquely reflects his deep understanding of the instrumental role our many valued charter partners play in bringing Scouting to life for youth across America,” said Mike Surbaugh, BSA’s Chief Scout Executive. “We look forward to the powerful impact we know Charles will have in this role as he further grows and strengthens relationships with our charter partners.”
Mr. Dahlquist assumes the position as national commissioner immediately.
About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of more than 2.3 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21 and nearly 1 million volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.