Major Gen. Chuck Swannack has been named executive director of Speedway Children's Charities. After serving in the same position for nearly 25 years, Major Gen. Tom Sadler has been named executive director emeritus.
"Gen. Sadler set a high bar with his years of service and dedication to children," said Marcus Smith, president and chief operating officer of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and president of Speedway Children's Charities. "Now with his outstanding leadership credentials, Gen. Swannack will continue to move Speedway Children's Charities."
As Executive Director Emeritus, Sadler will serve as an advisor to Swannack and the Speedway Children's Charities Board of Directors and will continue to participate in speedway activities and charitable events.
"Simply put, there is no replacing Gen. Sadler," Swannack said. "Under his leadership, Speedway Children's Charities has grown from a fledgling organization into one of NASCAR's most respected charities, contributing more than $45 million to hundreds of deserving charities and helping over 13 million children in need across the country. I look forward to working alongside Tom as I learn the ropes and continue to work to serve children facing educational, medical, financial and social needs."
Swannack was commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant from the United States Military Academy in 1971. Over the next three decades, he served in command and staff positions at every level from platoon to Department of the Army.
Prior to his retirement, Swannack commanded the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg from October 2002 until May 2004. During this time, he provided forces to Combined Joint Task Force-180 for combat operations in Afghanistan, and he personally led the Division during combat operations from Kuwait to Baghdad and later civil-military operations in western Iraq.
Prior general officer assignments include: Commanding General of Multinational Division (North) and Task Force Eagle during Operation JOINT FORGE (SFOR 11) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he oversaw implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords; Commanding General of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, where he was the senior trainer for all Light, Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger and Special Forces units in the Army; and Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy within the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Headquarters, Department of the Army. His initial assignment as a general officer was with the 82nd Airborne Division as the Assistant Division Commander (Operations).
As a Brigade Commander, Swannack deployed to Haiti for peacekeeping operations during Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. He served in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J5, the Joint Staff, where he was instrumental in developing and executing U.S. strategy and policy for Central America and the Caribbean Basin. As a Battalion Commander, he deployed to Panama during Operation NIMROD DANCER and participated in combat operations during Operation JUST CAUSE.
Swannack is a graduate of Capstone and the National War College. He holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia.
His decorations include the Legion of Merit (6OLC) and Bronze Star (1OLC). He proudly wears the Combat Infantryman badge, Master Parachutist badge and the Ranger Tab.
Initially in retirement, Swannack provided consultation services to multiple defense corporations and primarily served in the capacity of a trainer, coach and mentor to Brigade Combat Teams preparing to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as CEO and President of the Logistics Services Division, Louis Berger Services (formerly US Logistics, Inc.).
Swannack resumed consultation services under Alpha Management Group, while also serving as a director for Recon Robotics in Edina, Minnesota, president of the Military Family Lifestyle Charitable Foundation in Huntersville, North Carolina, and as an active supporter on multiple other military charities as a means of giving back to those who served him so well during his military career.
Swannack is married, has twin children and six grandchildren.
"After nearly 25 years, it's time to pass the torch, and I can't think of anyone more qualified and more dedicated than Chuck Swannack to lead Speedway Children's Charities," Sadler said. "I look forward to working with him during this time of transition and seeing the energy and enthusiasm he will bring to serving children in need."
About Speedway Children's Charities
The mission of Speedway Children's Charities remains true to the ideals it was founded upon in 1982: To care for children in educational, financial, social and medical need in order to help them lead productive lives. Over the years, SCC has provided more than $45 million for hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout the nation that meet the direct needs of more than 13 million children.