Ron L. Klinger, Ph.D.
Founder / CEO
Center for Successful Fathering, Inc.
Austin, Texas

Biographical Notes

Dr. Ron Klinger, a family psychologist, founded the Center for Successful Fathering, Inc., a nonprofit corporation based in Austin, Texas in 1995 as a response to the growing number of children who were growing up without a father in their lives. He recognized that children need the balance of mothers and fathers in their lives. Yet, since the 1960’s society has seen a steady exodus of fathers from the home.

In 1996, he wrote his first fathering curriculum, Accepting the Challenges of Fathering (ACF), based on his interviews of dads. The ACF curriculum was subsequently translated into Spanish. In 1997, Dr. Klinger was invited by former Secretary of Education Richard Riley and former Vice President Al Gore to Washington, D.C. to participate in a press conference releasing the findings of a national study on the powerful role fathers play in the educational success of their children. In 1998, through a relationship with the Texas Education Agency’s Parental Involvement and Community Empowerment Division and the Texas Attorney General’s office, Dr. Klinger launched the Texas Fatherhood Initiative as a cosponsor of a statewide, one-day Texas Fatherhood Forum, A Call to Action. In 2000, the Texas Education Agency presented to Dr. Klinger the first ever Vanguard Award for his pioneering efforts in the involvement of fathers in public schools.

Dr. Klinger and his wife, Gay -- a family counselor -- together wrote, The Common Sense, No Frills, Plain English Guide to Being a Successful Dad (that every mother should read too)., now in it’s 3rd edition and 5th printing.
Since the 1998, Dr. Klinger has facilitated father/student programs, provided training and presented in local, regional, state and national programs and conferences. In the early childhood arena, Dr. Klinger has facilitated programs for parent educators and/or fathers and families from Even Start, Healthy Families, Early Head Start and Head Start organizations.

In 2001, Dr. Klinger developed Bonding Through Play, an English/Spanish video curriculum package for fathers of children ages 0 to five. The enthusiastic response spurred him to develop the enhanced Preparing for Successful Fathering curriculum as the fist part of a trilogy called the Fathering for Life series. Preparing for Successful Fathering will include workbooks, video on DVD and facilitators guide.

Dr. Klinger and his wife, Gay, are the parents of a  son who is currently studying at the University of Texas in Austin.

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