James was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He graduated from Barnsdall High School in 1989.

James graduated from Northeastern State University in 1993 with a BBA in Business Administration and Accounting. In 2005, he also completed his MBA at Northeastern State University. He has worked at Craig General Hospital as the CFO for almost three years. Prior to coming to Craig General Hospital he held the following positions. His first job out of college was as an accountant for Budweiser here in Vinita. He next went to work for a printing/direct mail company in Tulsa as the Controller, and later as the Regional Controller for Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville.

He has been married to Liza for 16 years this August, and they have one child: Caleb that is a seventh grader that enjoys Karate. James enjoys hunting and fishing and spending time with his family.

After the earthquake hit Haiti in January, Rotarians began making calls and sending emails to discuss how they could help. When Rotary International reported on Rotary's immediate relief efforts, Rotarians took this discussion online. The very first comment about the story expressed what so many Rotarians were thinking: - "they begin sending Rotarians over to help in any way, please let me know if I can help. "

This plea was multiplied over the following days on Rotary's website and social media pages. Rotarians also reported that they were collecting thousands of dollars to fund ShelterBoxes and Aquaboxes, contributing to Rotary's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, and organizing ways to transport food, supplies, and medical personnel to the devastated country.

On the ground in and around Haiti, Rotarians were also busy. Local Rotarians helped distribute the ShelterBoxes to some of those left homeless. Rotarian Claude Surena, a physician, took 100 injured earthquake victims into his home, which he managed to turn into a makeshift hospital despite the damage it had sustained. District 7020 established a relief fund, flew in planes loaded with medical supplies, and strategized to provide assistance in the weeks following the disaster.

And it is in those weeks - and months and even years - that Rotary can make its greatest contribution. Rotary is not a disaster relief agency, but we are very good at long-term recovery. After all the media attention dies down, Rotary will still be there on the ground - in Haiti's case, with 17 local clubs and thousands of willing partner clubs. If Rotary's recovery efforts in Bangladesh, Honduras, Indonesia, and countless other countries are any indication, Rotarians will be in Haiti long after public interest has faded and the media have moved on.

--John Kenny, President, Rotary International

There are thousands of charitable organizations working throughout the world that make a positive impact on those in need. But your Rotary Foundation is the only charitable organization funded by contributions from Rotarians, for programs and projects identified by Rotarians, and administered by Rotarians at the project site. The Rotary Foundation is YOU - ROTARIAN, EVERY YEAR.

When you contribute US$100 or more each year to the Foundation's Annual Program Fund, you become a Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member. Your generosity enables Rotarians to work together across oceans and vast terrain to find innovative solutions to complex problems that plague villagers in remote areas as well as city dwellers.

The Rotary Foundation Trustees prudently manage the Foundation's resources to make possible humanitarian and educational programs that serve the needs of people around the world.

Rotary's next century promises even greater opportunities for service. The Annual Programs Fund is the power that fuels the service. But in recent years, contributions have not kept pace with the steady growth in requests for Matching Grants and new humanitarian and educational programs.

The Rotary Foundation's good works in the world are only limited by our imagination, actions and contributions.

See Amy to sign up today to contribute to The Rotary Foundation. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) enrollment is available. What a simple way to support a great cause!!