About Us

Brief Biographical Sketch of Scepter Institute Founder Jerry Thacker

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He is currently President of Right Ideas, Inc., Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. For more than 20 years he has been involved in the provision of consumer research and marketing communications services. He is a competent consultant, researcher, writer, publisher, presenter, broadcaster, and teacher who brings with him a thorough understanding of communications for numerous national product manufacturers and ministries.

He is a professional member of the American Marketing Association and also publisher of four full-color controlled circulation magazines.

His book, When AIDS Comes Home, is the story of how he and his family have dealt with HIV/AIDS contracted as a result of a blood transfusion given to his wife in 1984. Jerry, his wife Sue, and their daughter Sarah are all infected with the virus. The couple also lost their 16-year-old son to pneumoccal meningitis in 1995. He was not HIV infected, but he was affected by what was going on in the family he loved so much.

In addition to presenting the family's story, Jerry delivers material on abstinence as the most effective method of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. He recommends that those who have done risk activities involving the exchange of bodily fluids get an HIV test. His pro-abstinence (ABC) message has been presented to more than a half million people since 1994 in venues as diverse as churches and pastor's seminars, at private and public school assemblies, for civic groups and on both religious and secular college campuses.

He has appeared on Fox News on the O'Reilly Factor television show as well as on Focus on the Family radio. Recently Jerry was part of a quasi-governmental team that, along with Shepherd Smith, visited Uganda to research the effective HIV/AIDS reduction program going on there. He was a signatory on the report that prompted President Bush to ask for $15MM in aid for Africa in 2003. He also has developed training seminars for missionaries and other field workers around the world.

Originally from West Virginia, Jerry is a graduate of Bob Jones University holding B.A. ('72) and M.A. ('74) degrees. He was a member of the university faculty for 7 years and was honored by the BJU Alumni Association with a special citation for his work in educating communities of faith and others about HIV/AIDS.

An effective marketer for more than 25 years, Jerry was a part of the team that propelled juvenile products maker Graco Children's Products from annual sales of $28MM in 1981 to nearly $700MM in 2000. During that time he participated in consumer research, new product launches, managed a multi-million dollar advertising and collateral production budget, and supervised up to 27 employees.

He currently serves as a "shared resource" between several companies providing marketing strategy, creative direction, and employee supervision. His technical abilities include in-depth knowledge of computer technologies and video conferencing. As a former professional broadcaster and television producer, Jerry knows how to work both in front of and behind the camera. He also is the creator and designer of multiple websites complete with commerce engines and downloadable information sections. His use of broadcast emails to keep customers informed is both creative and compelling.

Jerry, his wife Sue, and their daughter Sarah live in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania just south of Allentown.