Tekmos Eagle Scouts

Tekmos has the unique distinction of having Eagle Scouts and family members of Eagle Scouts among its ranks, including the founder and president, Lynn Reed. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Eagle Scout Tekmos Team Members include Vema, Will, Clay, Alan, Adrian and Vishnu, along with Lynn Reed. Vema says "Scouting was a good time to practice leadership. As a Scout I found through camping in cold, rainy weather I had to get out of my comfort zone. All of my experiences in Scouts prepared me for real life." When Will was asked about his experiences he stated, "I learned about the world, how to organize, about fundraising, how to get along with others, and being an Eagle Scout influenced who I am today as well as got me this job."

Clay, a junior in college who has worked several summers at Tekmos says, "Scouts helped me gain friendships I can count on and made me more aware of putting others needs before mine." Alan works full time at Tekmos now, but worked summers and breaks while in school. "I learned a sense of leadership and management particularly creating my Eagle Scout project where one has to plan everything in advance and then be completely removed from the equation so that the project can be implemented. It was my first experience with managing and leadership from afar."

Adrian, the testing floor manager, says of his Scout experiences, "Scouting has been a good way of life. It has provided me with the tools for leadership to take on any obstacle and be successful." Adrian earned all 121 merit badges in 2007, the first to earn that distinction in Central Texas. He held that position for close to 10 years. Vishnu, a recent graduate from college, will be leaving to join the military. "Scouts gave me the confidence to get up in front of people, give orders, and direct. I also learned to accept when I was wrong and take advice."

Other Tekmos Team members associated with Boy Scouts are Carole Reed, who serves as the Capitol Area Council Advancement Chair for the greater Austin area. She began volunteering when her sons were in Cub Scouts and finds it rewarding to watch the young boys grow to such fine young men from their scouting experiencing.

Jon Gehm and Renee Dalton each have sons in scouting and both volunteer with their son's troops. Rick Holman served as a troop leader. All have volunteered in leadership positions.

The first Scout to earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout was Arthur Rose Eldred, a member of Troop 1 in Oceanside, New York, a troop his brother Hubert had founded in November 1910. The younger Eldred earned his 21st merit badge in April 1912 at the age of 16.

Since there were no provisions for local reviews in those early days, Eldred was examined by perhaps the most exalted and intimidating board of review in Scouting history: Chief Scout Executive James E. West, Chief Scout Ernest Thompson Seton, National Scout Commissioner Daniel Carter Beard (another BSA founder), and Wilbert E. Longfellow of the U.S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps, who had written the Handbook's sections on swimming and lifesaving. National Eagle Scout Association 2008 Eagle Scout Directory.