Jim has always been an advocate for children. His moto: “Children First: Always”. His 41 years of professional social work practice has been in roles that worked with or on behalf of children. Jim started ACE Scholars Services at California State University San Marcos. to help foster youth obtain their college degree.
He was the founder and CEO for ten years of CHILDREN AT RISK (1989-99), a Houston-based nonprofit child advocacy organization that still serves as the voice for Houston’s children. In Houston, the Houston Chronicle referred to him as “the most persistent child advocate in the city.”
Jim served on the faculty teaching child welfare at Texas State University School of Social Work, University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work, and Michigan State University School of Social Work.
Jim has volunteered with many local and national organizations that address children needs and believes that if you improve adults and the community, you are improving the chances of all children to thrive.
That belief attracted him to serve on the board of Lifeline. “I have seen firsthand how Lifeline focused on prevention as it provides quality services with its collaborative approach to the community. I want to be a part of that work."
Jim became the “First Gentleman” of Cal State San Marcos following his wife to north county San Diego in 2004. He is the co-author of a college textbook
Affecting Change: Social Workers in the Political Arena, with his wife Dr. Karen Haynes. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral sciences from Colorado State University-Pueblo and his Masters in Social Work from Wayne State University in Detroit.
