CHARACTER COUNTS! in Martin County is changing leadership, but the transition should be a smooth one for the new director and the program.

The new director will be Holly Laiben, who has been a CHARACTER COUNTS! advisory board member for the past five years. In addition, she was honored earlier this year as the CHARACTER COUNTS! Champion of the Community for her volunteer work and for being a sponsor of the annual Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards.

“I have always had a passion for CHARACTER COUNTS!  and I look forward to working with the program to build character, sportsmanship and workplace ethics throughout our community,” said Ms. Laiben, who will start her new position on Sept. 5.

Ms. Laiben has been an employee of the Martin County School District for the past four years and previously worked for the Volunteer & Community Resource Center -- alongside the CHARACTER COUNTS! program at United Way of Martin County.

Departing as director is Terri May, who has been the director of CHARACTER COUNTS! for seven years. She is leaving for a position at the Supervisor of Elections Office, where she will be assistant deputy of elections services and poll worker and development coordinator.

“During my time at CHARACTER COUNTS! I have promoted the importance of the Six Pillars of Character – Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship,” Ms. May said. “It is a natural carryover into my new position, where I’ll be emphasizing Citizenship and the importance of voting.”

ABOUT CHARACTER COUNTS

CHARACTER COUNTS!, a program of United Way of Martin County, is in its 11th year in Martin County, providing character-building activities and projects in schools and civic organizations. CC! presents motivational business seminars and works to increase public awareness of the importance of core ethical values.

For more information regarding CHARACTER COUNTS!, please visit www.charactercounts.net.