A Life of Public Servitude

 

        From an early age growing up on a farm in Georgia, Jim quickly learned the importance of living a life in service of others. After graduating from the University of Georgia, he volunteered for active duty in the United States Army, which eventually brought him to the Central Pennsylvania area, where he has resided for the past 51 years. Jim continued to serve in the military for over 22 years, rising to the rank of Major before retiring in 1994. During that time, Jim received his MBA from Shippensburg University, and he continues to support students at that school through a scholarship he created for those pursuing a degree in education.

        While living in Cumberland County, Jim also worked for over 20 years at the Pennsylvania Department of Education, where he helped underprivileged families by serving as the state administrator for the Summer Food Program and Childcare Food Program, ensuring that low-income children across the state did not go unfed when schools were not in-session.

         Throughout his career and during his retirement, Jim has spent his free time volunteering at his church, helping at local food banks, coaching youth sports, ushering for local theaters, and working to help previously incarcerated individuals to get back on their feet. He was married for 45 years to his late wife Madelyn, is the proud father of two sons (one a Pennsylvania teacher and the other an engineer), and loves spending time with his two granddaughters.