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Dr. Dobson Steps Down as Focus on the Family Chairman

From Doug Stiegler - It was announced over the weekend that Dr. James Dobson, Founder of Focus on the Family and his wife Shirley have resigned from the Board of Directors of Focus on the Family.

Personally, Barb and I have gained much from the efforts of Dr. Dobson through our association with Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council, which he helped found with Gary Bauer in 1983.

We wish him and Shirley God’s Blessings as they fulfill their desire to “finish well”  and enjoy grand parenting. Somehow I expect to continue to see and hear of their activities for some time to come.

Doug Stiegler

Association of Maryland Families

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Focus on the Family's James C. Dobson, Ph.D., has stepped down as board chairman of the ministry he founded 32 years ago, it was announced today.

His wife, National Day of Prayer Chairman Shirley Dobson, has also left the Focus on the Family Board of Directors. They have been elected to the positions of Founder and Chairman Emeritus and Director Emerita, respectively, for the nonprofit ministry they started in 1977.

The Dobsons' decision represents the next step in a transition plan begun six years ago, when he stepped down as president in order to lessen his administrative burden.  Executive leadership was handed to Don Hodel in 2003, and then to Jim Daly in 2005.  Dr. Dobson had been board chairman until today.

The board of directors issued this statement: "One of Dr. Dobson's objectives during the last decade has been to help identify the next generation of leadership for the ministry, and to see it established securely before he stepped away from administrative oversight. That purpose has now been fulfilled, and we applaud Dr. Dobson for this concern for the future of the ministry."

Dr. Dobson's other responsibilities at the ministry will not change significantly.  He will continue the "Focus on the Family" radio broadcast, and handle other duties as in the past. He will also continue to write the newsletter, sent to 1.6 million people per month.  He and Mrs. Dobson are anxious to devote themselves to the joys of grandparenting.

"One of the common errors of founder-presidents," Dr. Dobson said, "is to hold to the reins of leadership too long, thereby preventing the next generation from being prepared for executive authority.  I have wanted not to make that mistake with Focus on the Family, which is why I stepped back, first from the presidential duties six years ago, and now, from board chairmanship.  Though letting go is difficult after three decades of intensive labor, it is the wise thing to do."

Jim Daly, Focus' president and CEO, said the ministry will "forever be committed to the fulfillment of the mission so definitively served by both Dr. and Mrs. Dobson – helping families thrive."

"The Dobsons have dedicated their lives to Focus on the Family," Daly said. "He is my mentor and friend – and an inspiration and role model to millions of Americans."

Dr. Dobson called Daly a "great leader."

"We at Focus are blessed to have someone with Jim's passion and skills, as well as a wonderfully experienced and intelligent board of directors.  That fact gave me the courage to let them run the ministry.  With God's help, they will do it superbly."

Assuming the chairmanship of the Focus board is Lt. Gen. Patrick P. Caruana (USAF, Retired), a board member since 1996 and vice chairman since 2006. Gen. Caruana, who served 36 years in the military, was Vice President of Northrop Grumman Space Technology from 2002 to 2005 and also served as Vice President and Program Manager for TRW Space & Electronics from August 1999 until the company was acquired by Northrop Grumman in 2002.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Listen to a special two-part radio broadcast on Dr. Dobson's decision.

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ADF President salutes Dr. James Dobson’s

‘tireless service’ to American families

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Alliance Defense Fund President, CEO, and General Counsel Alan Sears praised Focus on the Family founder and ADF co-founder Dr. James Dobson for his “tireless service” to American families upon learning of his resignation as chairman of the Focus on the Family board of directors.

“I have had the privilege of not only serving with Dr. James Dobson over the past 25 years, but have the honor to calling him my friend as well,” said Sears.  “His life has been a role model for leadership and his selfless devotion and concern for the future of America’s families and our nation also led to his pivotal leadership role in the formation of the Alliance Defense Fund.  As he steps down from his role as chairman of the board of Focus on the Family, I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his tireless service and dedication to American families, which has literally touched millions of lives.”

Dobson is one of several co-founders of ADF, which was launched in 1994.

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith.  Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.

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