ABSTRACT
Two corporations, Interstate Batteries System of America, Inc. and the R. W. Beckett Corporation, have undergone a transition. In 1952, John Searcy signed a contract with the Dallas, Texas plant of Gould National Battery under the name of Interstate Batteries System with Gould producing auto batteries for Interstate to distribute. As a preacher-steward leader, Norm Miller followed a prudent course in guiding Interstate Batteries to preeminence in its field. Corporate charitable contributions represent one expression of Norm's steward-leadership. Interstate Batteries, under the leadership of a chief executive officer who combined both preacher and steward-leadership styles, has achieved success in the replacement battery market, along with high levels of employee satisfaction and charitable giving. Thinking of charitable contributions in terms of investing, as Norm put it, Interstate gives 95 percent of its charitable funds to Christian ministries and theological education.
