At its 122nd annual meeting on June 16, 2026, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission elected long-time board member and accomplished executive Michael A. Thompson chair of its board of directors.
Thompson is Director of the Publishing & Information Product Group at SAE International, where he oversees the development and delivery of information products and services serving the aerospace, automotive, and commercial vehicle industries.
A member of the Hero Fund Commission since 2012, Thompson has served in several leadership roles, most recently as vice chair, co-chair of the Commission’s Governance Committee, and as a member of the Executive Committee.
Thompson succeeds Thomas L. Wentling Jr., who retired to emeritus status after serving as chair since 2024. During his 35 years on the Commission, Wentling was long-time chair of the Finance Committee and helped strengthen the organization’s long-term financial stability through a restructuring of its investment strategy.
The Commission also elected Nancy Rackoff and Alex DiClaudio vice chairs, Arthur M. Scully III treasurer, and David McL. Hillman as secretary, completing the Commission’s officer slate.
“I am honored to serve as chair and help lead the Hero Fund into its next chapter,” Thompson said. “For 122 years, the Hero Fund has preserved the stories of ordinary people who performed extraordinary acts for others. As we look ahead, we have an opportunity to build on that legacy by making this remarkable body of information more accessible to researchers and scholars, helping deepen our understanding of heroism, altruism, and the circumstances that inspire people to risk their lives for others.”
Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1904, the Hero Fund has recognized more than 10,000 civilian heroes, preserving their stories as examples of courage, sacrifice, and service to others.
“Michael has earned the respect of his fellow commissioners through years of dedicated service and thoughtful leadership,” Zahren said. “His experience guiding complex organizations and his commitment to the Hero Fund’s mission will serve the Commission well as we expand our efforts to recognize heroism, support scholarly research, and deepen public understanding of altruism and lifesaving action.”
The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, a private operating foundation, awards the Carnegie Medal to civilians who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save others. Since its establishment by Andrew Carnegie in 1904, the Hero Fund has provided $47 million in financial assistance to Carnegie Medal recipients and their families.