JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE AND HONOR THE CLASS OF 2025 FOUR STAR LEADERS

About the Keynote Speaker: Spencer Tillman, a former NFL running back with the Houston Oilers and San Francisco 49ers, has been an influential presence in sports broadcasting since his retirement from the field. A 1987 NFL Draft pick, Tillman played eight seasons in the league and was a key contributor to the Super Bowl XXIV champion San Francisco 49ers, serving as a team co-captain with legends Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott. Tillman's collegiate career was equally distinguished; as an All-American running back for the University of Oklahoma (1983-86), he helped lead the Sooners to a national championship in 1985.

Tillman transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, first gaining experience as an anchor and reporter at Houston's KPRC-TV after the 1987 NFL Draft. His journey in media included hosting radio sports-talk shows in Oklahoma City and working as a sports anchor at KPRC for a decade. His talents caught the attention of major networks, and in 1999, CBS Sports enlisted him as the lead studio analyst for "College Football Today," where he worked with broadcast veteran Tim Brando for 15 years. During his time at CBS, Tillman also called regional NFL games and participated in NCAA Tournament coverage.

In 2015, Tillman reunited with Brando at FOX Sports, offering his expertise as a college football game analyst. His publishing accomplishments include authoring the book "Scoring in the Red Zone: How to Lead Successfully When the Pressure is On" in 2005, and he has appeared in the film "Horrible Turn" in 2009. A graduate of the Harvard Business School and the NFL's joint executive education program, Tillman was honored with induction into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame in 2012.

Born on April 21, 1964, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tillman graduated from Thomas Edison High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from the University of Oklahoma in 1988. He now resides in Sugar Land, Texas, with his wife, Rita, and their four daughters—Alisa, Blair, Mir, and Bailey. Beyond his professional achievements, Tillman is active with the non-profit organization Lift Up America and is a sought-after motivational speaker.

About the Program: We are a world-class summer leadership program offered through the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum. Since 2008, our elite summer leadership program has welcomed over 1,100 rising sophomore and junior high school students from 49 states, and 63 international students. What sets Four Star Leadership apart from other national leadership institutes is our commitment to provide this unique learning opportunity completely free to all students selected. The Franks Family has a strong desire to make sure each student, no matter their socioeconomic background, be given the same opportunities.

We are proud to continue our tradition of developing the next generation of leaders with our 18th annual Four Star Leadership with General Tommy Franks hosted on the beautiful campus of the University of Central Oklahoma, July 13-18, 2025. During the week, the program will host 76 top high school leaders from around the world. The students will learn the Four Stars of Leadership that General Franks honed during his 38-year military career: Character, Communication, Common Vision and Caring. Through team building exercises, spontaneous problem-solving activities, and personal interactions with inspirational and informative national and international leaders, students develop skills to go out into their communities and lead by example. Students will compete in individual persuasive speech and writing competitions as well as team ethics competitions for a chance to win a portion of more than $40,000 in scholarships.

Students tour the OKC National Memorial & Museum so they can see first hand the devastation felt on that April day in 1996, but also how the Oklahoma Standard came to light. The students hear from lawmakers in the Oklahoma Capitol, as well as representatives from Oklahoma Tribal Communities in order for students to embrace the value in learning about different heritages and cultures. We challenge our young leaders to head back to their communities with a call to action, much like Secretary Rumsfeld gave General Franks on 9/11 “What Are You Going To Do About It?” Do something about the issues they face in their schools, communities, and states.

About the Founders, General Tommy and Cathryn Franks: General Franks’ storied military career began at a recruiting station in Texas during the Vietnam War, deciding to enlist before he could be drafted. One of the few soldiers in our history that wore the lowest and highest rank in the United States Army. On 9/11 during a stopover in Crete on the way to Pakistan, General Franks career changed forever. With the grit of a seasoned leader, General Franks was able to speak to Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld on the evening of 9/11 sitting in a folding chair on the rooftop of a hotel. Rumsfeld asked General Franks what he says is the most important question ever asked of him -

"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT?"

We all know what General Franks’ did about it. As the original War on Terror Commander, America saw him lead American and Coalition troops from over 60 different countries in two strategically unprecedented campaigns in two years - Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. Under his leadership, Afghanistan gained the freedom to hold its first ever democratic election, and the citizens of Iraq were free to live without the iron rule of the dictator Saddam Hussein.

Cathryn Franks, a distinguished leader in her own right, is a former social studies teacher, who devoted much of her career to public service while serving various nonprofits whose missions support military families and America’s youth. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Army life took the Franks around the world, but after retiring, they made their home in Oklahoma where they both have deep roots. The Franks believe empowering our young leaders will strengthen our country tomorrow. The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum is located in Hobart, OK, which is a short drive from their ranch in Roosevelt, OK. From their vision for a world-class leadership program, Four Star Leadership came to fruition. General Franks believes leaders are not born, they are developed. For the last eighteen years, the Franks’ have been working tirelessly to develop the next generation of leaders who can solve problems, communicate solutions that will propel the world to greater peace, prosperity, and a mutual respect while standing firm in their values.

2025 Four Star Leadership Awards Banquet

LEADERS ARE NOT BORN, THEY ARE DEVELOPED

Team Members