Jim joined 4-H at age 10 and has been fully engaged for the past 55 years. After serving as president of his local 4-H club and junior leader organization, he became a student of leadership development. He spent the rest of his life in a variety of leadership roles, building the capacity of the 4-H Youth Development Program by helping others become leaders too – everything from camp counselors and ambassadors to volunteers, educators, councils and boards. Jim has served as the president or chair of his collegiate 4-H club, state 4-H association, organization of State 4-H Program Leaders; International 4-H Programs Committee, USDA 4-H Centennial Task Force, NAE4-HA Professional Improvement Committee and Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation.
Jim was also selected to participate in the National 4-H Executive Development Institute, serve on the National 4-H Congress Board and Design Team, National 4-H Council Board and the National 4-H Recognition and Incentives Design Team. At the community level, he was a charter member of two Rotary Clubs, currently serves as Treasurer of the University Credit Union and Chair of the Official Board for his church. Since retirement he has traveled coast to coast to present 18 professional development workshops for over 1,000 Extension professionals. As a hobby he does first person presentations as President Abraham Lincoln.
