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Jim Rich has spent the past 19 years providing leadership and expertise to a wide range of economic development and community development activities in Southeast Texas. He continues to serve as the Executive Director for the Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation with a mission to promote the region. He served as CEO/President of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce for 14 years, ending June 2015. He also served a 25-year federal law enforcement career with the United States Department of Justice. Jim has great insights into politics and administration. What works and what doesn’t work. He is a former Commissioner for the Sabine Neches Navigation and Waterway District. In February 2013 he was recognized as Executive of the Year by the Sales & Marketing Executives of Southeast Texas and in June 2014, he received the Marvin A. Hurley Award which is the highest recognition from the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives for career excellence and service. Jim holds a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Kent State University and a Master in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He is also a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and History. He completed the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.