Michael A. Thompson, a long-time member of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission and an executive with extensive experience in publishing and information services, has been elected chair of the Commission’s board of directors.
Commissioners elected Thompson during the Hero Fund’s 122nd annual meeting, held June 16, 2026. He succeeds Thomas L. Wentling Jr., who retired to emeritus status after 35 years of service to the Commission.
Thompson has served on the Commission since 2012 and has held several leadership positions, including vice chair, co-chair of the Governance Committee, and member of the Executive Committee.
Professionally, Thompson is director of the Publishing & Information Product Group at SAE International, where he oversees the development and delivery of information products and services for the aerospace, automotive, and commercial vehicle industries.
As chair, Thompson will help guide the Hero Fund as it continues its longstanding work of recognizing civilian heroism while expanding access to its extensive historical records.
“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.”
Thompson said the Commission has an opportunity to make that body of information more accessible to researchers and scholars, helping deepen the understanding of heroism, altruism, and the circumstances that inspire people to risk their lives for others.
Since Andrew Carnegie established the Hero Fund in 1904, the Commission has recognized more than 10,000 civilians who risked their lives while saving or attempting to save others. Their stories form one of the world’s most extensive collections of documented civilian heroism.
Carnegie Hero Fund President Eric P. Zahren said Thompson’s experience and longstanding commitment to the organization position him well to lead the Commission.
“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.”
Thompson follows Wentling, who served as chair beginning in 2024 and played a significant role in shaping the organization’s financial stewardship. As long-time chair of the Finance Committee, Wentling helped strengthen the Hero Fund’s long-term financial stability through a restructuring of its investment strategy.
The Commission also elected Nancy Rackoff and Alex DiClaudio as vice chairs, Arthur M. Scully III as treasurer, and David McL. Hillman as secretary.