Harold A. “Red” Poling

    National 4-H Council
    2003

    Retired Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company, Chairman, National 4-H Council Board of Trustees

    Prince William County, VA

    Harold A. “Red” Poling, retired Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company and former Prince William County, VA, 4-Her, has been devoted to 4-H his entire life. He served on National 4-H Council’ Board of Trustees for 16 years (1979-1996) including four as its Chairman (1984-88). While a Trustee, Poling worked diligently to garner major financial support for 4-H from Ford and other corporations, which included two large capital grants from Ford for expansion of the National 4-H Center. Ford also sponsored 4-H international and achievement awards programs. Poling, and wife, Marion, continue their generosity as members of Council’ Second Century of Excellence Club.

    Quote

    “4-H is a quality organization that has a broad gauge reach as opposed to just learning specific skills. The 4-H experience has many ramifications that relate to career life. It forces you to make decisions-from which project you are going to tackle to how you are going to accomplish it. The research and skill development plus the time and study and rehearsal required to make a presentation and demonstration all have application to the world of work. From concept to implementation, 4-H builds your confidence and ability to tackle the larger problems of real life.”
    —Harold A. Poling

    My 4-H Story