ABOUT FBLA-PBL

National History

The FBLA concept was developed in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University. In the fall of 1940, official sponsorship of FBLA was accepted by the National Council for Business Education; on February 3, 1942, the first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1958, the first Phi Beta Lambda chapter was chartered in Iowa.

More than 250,000 active members participate in more than 13,000 chartered chapters in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, U.S. Territories, and Department of Defense Dependent Schools worldwide.

FBLA-PBL is financed primarily through membership dues. Corporate and foundation grants also play an important role in the association's financial base.

The national organization is governed by a board of directors comprising of professional educators, local and state advisers, state and local supervisors, business and industry representatives, and the presidents of FBLA, PBL, and the Professional Division. The board appoints a president/chief executive officer.