James Freeland:
CLASS OF 1960
Ellet High SchoolClass of 1960
Akron, OH
James's Story
Graduated from Ellet HS June 1960
Graduated from Akron U June 1966
BS in BA, Finance Major, Econ and Accounting minors.
Member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and held officer positions.
Founder and president of Akron U's Finance Club.
Reporter for "Buchtellite" (Akron U's school paper).
June, 1966, began working for Goodyear in Finance Management Training Program.
Married Judy (Headley) Freeland on August 20, 1966.
We have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren (I refer to them as "replacements").
Drafted into the Army in October, 1966.
After attending Armor (Tanks) Officer Candidate School (Ft. Knox, KY), received 2nd Lt. officer commission in August, 1967.
Served in 1st Armor Division, Fort Hood, TX for 1 year.
Sent to Panama for jungle training, MOS (unwillingly) changed to Infantry Officer.
Sent to Vietnam for 1 year, received Bronze Star medal and a couple war ribbons.
Honorable discharge from active duty July, 1969.
Returned home to Akron, entered Banking Industry. Devoted 43 years to this industry, approximately 75% - 80% of time in the capacity of a "C-Level" officer.
Judy and I designed a 3,600 square foot home and had a contractor friend build it on a 3 acre lot in 1980 in Bath, Ohio. Won a "first place" award from Home Builders Association for the best home in its price range that year.
Moved to Naperville, IL in 1988 and built another new home.
While in the Banking Industry sent for additional executive development and industry related education at University of GA., University of TX., and Indiana University.
Gained a reputation for knowingly accepting responsibilities of troubled operations and re-engineering them into profitable, regulatory compliant, cohesive and progressive growth organizations.
Now retired.
Currently performing volunteer work to repay the world for a wond...Expand for more
erful life:
Volunteering at Edward Hospital in Naperville (among the top 100 hospitals in the nation and #1 heart hospital in the state along with other prestigious awards);
President of 350 home subdivision HOA ("retired" from this capacity 1/2017): and
Formerly (5/2014 - 7/2016) a director of Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation.
In view of physical activities, known in the neighborhood as "the man of steel."
Also affiliated with the Masonic Lodge: 32nd degree Mason, member of the Scottish Rite and the York Rite, and Knighted as a Knights Templar.
Likes, Enjoyments and Pleasures (not in any order of preference):
Devoting time with family and close friends (Judy and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary at The American Club, an international 5 star and 5 diamond resort in Kohler, WI ; and my very intelligent, beautiful and super talented grandchildren provide great joy)
Working and instilling an attitude of "annihilation of the competition" in my work force
Exercising and weightlifting in "Jim's Mini Gym" in my basement
Designing and building furniture that will last for ages
Being entertained by the antics of Diva, our French Bulldog
Dancing - waltz and rock & roll of the 60's
My music preference - "Just give me that old time rock & roll, the kind of music that moves the soul."
Some info on Naperville, IL:
Population just broke 70,000 when we moved here in 1988. Now, in 2016, it exceeds 147,000.
2016 ranked as 3rd most successful city in the US.
2016 ranked as the best city to live in IL.
2016 ranked as the wealthiest city in the Midwest.
2016 Naperville public schools ranked as 2nd best in nation
2016 Money Magazine listed Naperville among the top 10 cities in which to live in the US
Oops, received an offer I cannot refuse. So have returned (5/2016) to work as Concierge for Edward Hospital
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