Jim’s early Scouting years were spent in Sedalia, Missouri where he earned his Arrow of Light and later his Eagle Scout Award in Troop 65. His adult Scouting experience has been in the Indian Nations Council in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served in numerous capacities, including vice president of operations, vice president of program, vice president of marketing, Cub World development chairman, and council commissioner.

Jim joined the Southern Region Board in 2000 but was active in area and regional events long before that time. His passion is in training and development. He has served on staff for the Cub Scout Trainers Wood Badge and later as course director; two years as Philmont training faculty; Regional Wood Badge chairman; and most recently, chairman of the Southern Region National Youth Leadership Training.

An active churchman, Jim is a deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Broken Arrow. He serves youth through several community and educational organizations. He was formerly on the board of directors of the Gatesway Foundation and served two terms as its president. He currently is the vice chairman of the Governing Board of Land Legacy.

One of Jim’s fondest memories was hiking the Philmont Trails with his Eagle Scout son, Eric. In addition to Eric, Jim and his wife, Barbara, have a daughter, Melanie McConnell, and two grandchildren.