Jim is of Wasco descent, one of the three distinct Tribes that make up the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation Of Oregon Jim worked for Warm Springs Power Enterprises since its inception in 1981 and served as General Manager from 1986 until retiring in 2021. Throughout his career, Jim focused his dedication on improving the Tribe’s economic, political, and environmental strength through creative leadership, managerial skills, and an open form of communication.
Jim managed the Tribes’ interest in the largest hydroelectric project within Oregon, the Pelton-Round Butte Hydroelectric Project, and was responsible for managing the negotiations with Portland General Electric (PGE) for joint ownership of the Project — an unprecedented negotiation in American First Nations. Through this process, he led a tribal effort to prepare a license application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which provided a more substantial tribal vision for the Project, including a large focus on environmental mitigation for fish and wildlife. After arduous multi-party negotiations, restoration of fish passage above the Project was included in a long-term settlement agreement, ultimately securing $125 million in mitigation and enhancement funding to achieve this goal. Jim’s leadership and capacity to bridge cultural divides were significant in guiding this process, resulting in a source of renewable energy for the region, economic support for the Tribe, and improvement of environmental conditions from an earlier constructed project that had more substantial environmental costs associated with it.
Jim also chaired the CTWS Business Investment Revolving Fund, established to expand and create new CTWS businesses.  Jim has led the negotiation for a BPA high-voltage transmission line right-of-way renewal. As a tribal member who grew up on the Reservation, his knowledge of
tradition and tribal culture, mixed with contemporary business management capacity and skills, results in Jim having a unique vision for balancing economic development, natural resource protection, and cultural preservation. Jim was privileged to receive the 2009 Ecotrust Indigenous
Leadership Award for his work representing the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs (CTWS) as General Manager of Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises.
Over the course of his career, Jim has served on various boards including Warm Springs Credit Enterprise, Jefferson County school board, Warm Springs Forest Products Industries, Deschutes River Conservancy, Kah-Nee-Ta Vacation Resort and he currently chairs The Museum at Warm Springs board of directors.
In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities that include golfing as well as hunting and fishing in the usual and accustomed places our ancestors utilized. He also enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and attending the activities they are involved in. Jim and his wife, Donna are very blessed to have three wonderful children, now productive adults.