JAMES K. CHAMPION, former Captain, US Army: 4 years active duty and 3 years 8 months with the Illinois National Guard commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1967, Field Artillery Branch. Reported to Fort Sill, OK in February 1968, Field Artillery School, then to Primary Helicopter School Fort Walters TX; then to Ft. Rucker AL for advanced helicopter school. During May of 1969 he was assigned to Btry B 4Bn77 ARA (Aerial Rocket Artillery) Vietnam, providing close in air support for our troops on the ground. Jim returned to the USA in May 1970 and was assigned to Ft. Stewart, GA as flight instructor in the Tactical Flight Brigade. Jim left active duty in November 1971. He then joined the Illinois National Guard in January 1972 as a field artillery battery commander and a flight instructor. Jim was honorably discharged in August 1975. Jim entered his family business in December 1971 in sales and marketing. He brought new life to the business and became President of the company in 1980. In 1999 he and his brother sold the business to a company out of Australia. Jim has served on the board of directors and Chairman on several national organizations Chemical Producers and Distributors Association and Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment. Jim also served as a board member for a private bank in Chicago. He joined the WVRF in 2017.
