Tuggle started his professional Scouting career as a district executive in Albany, Georgia, in 1976 and later went on to serve as Scout executive/CEO in Columbus Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served the Boy Scouts of America for 37 years and retired January 1, 2014. Alf has been awarded the Baden Powell Fellowship Award by King Gustav IV of Sweden and has received the Bronze Pelican and Torch Award for service to youth.
Alf was involved in many college activities but was most dedicated to Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity which he joined in 1972. He chaired almost every committee at Gamma Xi at one time and served as secretary, treasurer and two terms as archon. He credits Pi Kappa Phi for staying in school, making decent grades and most importantly the development of leadership and administrative skills that proved valuable in his chosen career. Tuggle lived in his fraternity house most of his college years and was dedicated to the success of Gamma Xi Chapter. Pi Kappa Phi provided him friendships that last a lifetime.
If you had the opportunity to start your collegiate career over again from scratch, is there anything you’d do differently? If so, why?
College is a long time ago but I still remember it vividly. Choosing Georgia Southwestern and Pi Kappa Phi made the decision the right one for me and I have no regrets.
As an alumnus, you’ve clearly been a leader for Pi Kappa Phi. How has the concept of leadership changed for you over the years?
Basic principles of leadership never change; what does change is the methods that may or may not be acceptable to today’s generation. Understanding the millennial, x generation, etc, and what they want in a relationship is important to give the right leadership style for effective results. However, one thing remained core to my leadership over the years; “People do not want to know what you know until they know that you care.”
What are some of the most important pieces of advice you’ve received in your life?
Be honest, work hard, and think about unintended consequences when making big decisions for your organization or company.
What have been two or three of your most meaningful Pi Kappa Phi experiences?
In addition to the great lifetime friendships, having the opportunity to develop my leadership while serving in most of the officer positions including archon. In these positions I learned responsibility and leadership at a level I had never had the chance to before. Also the opportunity to attend Pi Kappa Phi Supreme Chapter meetings in Atlanta, San Francisco, and New Orleans… Seeing that we were part of a national organization and experiencing a large convention opened my eyes and helped prepare me for a bigger picture of the world.
Between all of the undergraduate and alumni members of Pi Kappa Phi, there are brothers that span so many different “ages and stages” of life. What have you learned about brotherhood, and also leadership, that could apply to all of those men, no matter their stage of life?
Common bonds come in many ways. One of the strongest is a brotherhood and Pi Kappa Phi creates that common bond regardless of age, stages, etc.. One must accept the responsibilities that we learn about in the rituals and take them seriously as a guide for life.
My experiences and the leadership learned and practiced as an undergraduate most certainly prepared me for a career. I am most blessed to have served as a commissioned professional in the Boy Scouts of America for over 37 years, having recently retired as the Assistant Chief Scout Executive and Chief Financial Officer for the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Serving as CEO of three BSA local councils over a period of 22 years challenged every skill I had and many times I related back to chapter leadership and the consensus building necessary for the organization to thrive.
In the not-for-profit world, mission, and people committed to it, drive the organization. I learned this as a Pi Kappa Phi officer and it led me to a career in the largest youth serving organization in America.