Spartanburg’s Norman F. Pulliam, Sr. earns Leadership Award
June 7, 2017
Norman F. Pulliam, Sr. (left) received the Leadership Award given by the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind Board of Commissioners. The award was presented by Scott Brawley (right), vice chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
SPARTANBURG, SC – Spartanburg’s Norman F. Pulliam, Sr. is well known for his success in business, but he is also active in giving back to the Spartanburg community. His many contributions to the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind were recognized with the Douglas F. Dent Leadership Award at the school’s graduation.
Named for a former board chairman in 1994, the Douglas F. Dent Award is presented annually by the school’s Board of Commissioners to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership. Pulliam was selected for his work on the school’s board and fundraising arm, The Walker Foundation.
In 1986, Mr. Pulliam was appointed by then Governor Riley to serve as a member of the school’s Board of Commissioners. He went on to serve 20 years as a member of the Board of Commissioners with 13 of those years as chairman. Following his service as a member of the school’s Board of Commissioners, Pulliam joined the Board of Trustees for The Walker Foundation.
Under Mr. Pulliam’s leadership as board chairman, the school received numerous awards for academics, customer service, and employment of individuals with disabilities. Facilities were significantly improved with the renovation of academic, athletic, and arts facilities and the opening of new dormitories, library facilities, and playgrounds. Improvements in technology and safety were major initiatives.
Mr. Pulliam and his colleagues on The Walker Foundation Board have worked tirelessly to encourage their associates to support the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. In 2006, a scholarship fund was established in Mr. Pulliam’s honor. Since that time, the scholarship has helped many graduates with postsecondary and college expenses.
Pulliam served as president of Pulliam Investments from 1970 – 1999 when he was elected chairman of the Board of Directors, and now serves as chairman emeritus. He is a graduate of Clemson and received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.
Pulliam and his wife, Jo, have three grown children and three grandchildren.
