District Governor 2008-09

Jim has been a member of Magnolia Rotary since 1985. He was born at El Dorado, Arkansas, attended public school at Mount Holly, Arkansas and received a BSE degree from SAU with a major in physics and a minor in biology.

He was married 46 years to the late Carolyn F. Brewer of El Dorado, Arkansas, and has three sons and three grandsons. Jim began working at Southern Extrusions,Inc, Magnolia, Arkansas, in 1958 and moved to Magnolia that same year. Except for tours of duty in Kansas City, Mo. and Ardmore, Ok, he has resided in Magnolia since 1958. Jim survived all three changes of ownership at what is now ALCOA-Magnolia. He held numerous sales, manufacturing and management positions, including 17 years as General manager, during his 42 year career at Magnolia's largest employer.

Some interesting work projects include fabrication of aluminum electric transmission towers installed in six states and supplying aluminum spectator seating for many major universities as well as all NASCAR race tracks.

Since his retirement in 2000 he has pursued his love of Alaska by not only hunting and fishing there but has qualified as a licensed assistant big game hunting guide and fishing guide. This involves a minimum of six weeks in the wilderness of Alaska each year. He also works part-time as a consultant in China with a Chinese aluminum company.

Jim has been active in many service and civic organizations in Magnolia and Columbia county. He was a Magnolia Jaycee, currently a Rotarian, having been a board member, president in 2000-2001, attended Rotary International convention in Buenos Aires in 2000 and was Group Study Exchange Team Leader to India in 2004. He has served on Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce board, United Way of Columbia County board(two terms) and president. Jim currently serves on the board of Magnolia Hospital Foundation and is a member, deacon and usher at First Baptist Church. He was recipient of the Magnolia-Columbia County Citizen of the Year award in 1991. Jim has traveled extensively; having worked in and visited 40 countries

Jim has recently ceased growing Herford cattle and now grows a lot of trees on his farm. Just to keep busy he has assembled one of the world's largest jig saw puzzles and has constructed an elaborate scale model doll house.