Jim was born and raised on a farm in central Alabama with three brothers and one sister and his father, mother and a grandmother. His mother taught him to read early in life and gave him a lifelong love of reading. He was always a good student, his high school’s valedictorian, an honors graduate at Auburn University in physics, a PhD recipient in physics at Duke University, and a EMBA recipient at Queens University.

At Auburn Jim met Nancy and it was love at first sight. They have now been married 59 years, with two married sons and five granddaughters – all here in Austin.

Jim’s work has centered on data analytics – the application of computer systems to make useful sense of large sets of data – primarily for universities, financial institutions and healthcare organizations.

While an assistant vice president at Auburn University Jim was invited to join Rotary. Over 27 years as a Rotarian Jim has been president of the Auburn Rotary Club, district governor of District 6880, and recipient of the prestigious Rotary International Service Above Self Award. As a supporter of The Rotary Foundation Jim is a Major Donor and a Benefactor.

Jim has been active in Rotary’s world-wide campaign to wipe out polio – personally a member of hands-on child immunization teams in Egypt and Ghana. Most recently Jim and Nancy were members of a Rotary group that helped improve education for young children in South Africa.

Jim and Nancy will provide information on this Rotary activity in South Africa today.