RCB Presents Spain-Hickman Award to Past President Fred McCallum

RCB Past Presidents Fred McCallum and Dr. Eric Jack

Past President Fred McCallum with his wife, Connie, Past President Philippe Lathrop and his wife, Rotarian Judy Crittenden

Past President Fred McCallum with Rotarians Maggie McDonald and Cameron Vowell and John Scott Vowell, Jr.

During the June 15th meeting, RCB Past President Eric Jack presented the Spain-Hickman Award for Distinguished Service to Past President Fred McCallum. The award is RCB’s highest honor, named for Frank Spain and Roy Hickman, the two members who have served as Rotary International presidents. Each year, the club selects one or more individuals who exemplify to an exceptional degree a commitment to the ideals of Rotary, and especially by their adherence to the tenets of the “Four-Way Test” in their personal life, vocational responsibilities, and community service, including service to the club.

Fred joined RCB in 2008, served on countless committees, and as President from 2016-2017. He has served on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations in the state. He served as Founding Chairman of the Board for the Birmingham Education Foundation, and as Chairman of the BBA, the Business Council of Alabama and PARCA. He served as Chairman of the United Way of Central Alabama fundraising campaign in 2013, as President of the Board of Governors for The Club, and Chairman of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation Board.

Fred received the 2014 A.G. Gaston Award, the Significant Sig award from Sigma Chi fraternity, the Brotherhood and Sisterhood Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice, and the 2015 Governor Bob Riley’s Building a Better Alabama award from the Business Council of Alabama.

He enjoyed a 30-year career with South Central Bell, BellSouth, and AT&T, retiring in 2017 after serving as President of AT&T Alabama for nine years. He came out of retirement to serve as Interim President of the Birmingham Business Alliance in 2019 and again in 2020.

Fred now dedicates much of his time to serving with Trinity United Methodist Church, including work with Afghan refugees who have settled in Birmingham. He enjoys spending time with his wife, two adult sons and 3-year-old granddaughter, in addition to travel and golf.

“One person is only the sum of the people that you are able to befriend and be with and who support you throughout your career and your life,” Fred said. “I have had the great fortune to be able to serve in some high-profile roles, but the only reason those were meaningful at all in the end is because of the help and support I got from all of you, from the people of this city, this county and this great state. Thank you very much for this honor.”

Thanks to the Rotarians who served on the Spain-Hickman Award committee, including Eric Jack (Chair), Jon Blankenship, Brenda Hackney, Gordon Martin, April Mason, Chuck Redden, and Lee Weathers.