Page 16 - PGM Compendium

asked to assist in the performance of the Flower Talk during his own Grand Master’s Class for
DeMolay. It was an esteem pleasure for those in attendance to see him relive a great memory from
his past while passing along a tradition to the new members initiated in his honor.

While in DeMolay, Jim met Laura Lee. Laura was a Chapter Sweetheart of Puyallup DeMolay and
a Past Honored Queen of Bethel No. 30 in Puyallup. Not being one to rush things, he waited six
months before asking her on a date. Jim and Laura were married on April 19, 1986. Being married
to Laura is the greatest joy in his life.

Jim & Laura faced their greatest challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. A
survivor for more than ten years and counting, her strength inspired him to become a passionate
advocate for breast cancer awareness and the eradication of this and other cancers. Jim is a member
of the Speakers Bureau and Grant Review Committee for Puget Sound Komen for the Cure. He
and Laura have been consistent Top 100 Fund Raisers for the Annual Race for the Cure; and in
2011, Puget Sound Komen recognized Jim as its Outstanding New Volunteer. His charitable
activities also include support of the Puget Sound Honor Flight Network and The 5th Avenue
Musical Theater.

An avid fan of baseball, Jim was a volunteer umpire for Little League Baseball in the South
King/North Pierce County area. In his time as a volunteer umpire, Jim trained and developed
countless umpires and played an important role in ensuring kids in the South King/North Pierce
County area had a positive on field experience. Jim’s service to Little League earned him the
opportunity to umpire at the 1994 Western Regional Little League Tournament in San Bernardino
CA (ask him what it is like to work games in front of crowds numbering 10,000+ people) and in
the 2001 Junior League World Series in Taylor MI.

Professionally, Jim is employed by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems
(DRS) and is a member of the Education & Outreach Team. Jim experience as a registered
investment advisor comes in handy as he travels Washington state conducting individual and group
education sessions on the state pension and deferred compensation programs. Years of travel
naturally led Jim to meet many of his Washington Masonic brethren. Well before his travels as
Grand Master of Masons in Washington, Jim shared his passion for the Craft and inspired his
brethren to engage with their corner of the world for the better. Without realizing it, the early seeds
of his message as Grand Master had been planted and would later come to fruition as “Be the
Difference.”

Jim also has a passion for musical theater. Jim & Laura have been long time regular attendees of
th
Seattle theater and donors to the 5 Avenue Theater. However, it wasn’t until 2007 when he was
encouraged by a close friend and professional singer to take the microphone and pursue his passion
from a first-hand perspective. Jim’s unique style of entertainment coupled with his natural, at-
home feel on stage soon made him a favorite choice for local lodges to formal Grand Lodge
functions, from small social venues to larger fundraising events that wanted to add a musical