Jim's parents, Glen and Barb Runestad
Glen and Barb Runestad
His Mother and some of Jim's siblings at his birthday fundraiser (Ric, Janet, sister-in-law Sherry, Jim, Barb and Ron)
|
ABOUT JIM
Jim Runestad developed strong roots in Oakland County. He has worked here and has been an active member of the community for over 25 years. Jim was raised on the Runestad family farm. His upbringing there taught him many hard-learned and valuable lessons.
It is important to understand the life of a farmer and how their lives must be conducted utilizing constant planning and readjustment based upon many variables out of their control. A quote by Ronald Reagan sums up this struggle, “Compared to farming, the Roulette Wheel looks like guaranteed annual income!”.
The lessons of hard work, fiscal integrity, dealing with myriad simultaneous challenges and a strong moral belief system were ingrained in Jim at a young age.
Jim worked with his family, as well as other area farms and businesses as a youth to earn the money he needed to attend Central Michigan University. While in college, Jim attended Army reserve officers training (ROTC) boot camp and was very involved in CMU’s ROTC program before finally deciding to pursue an education degree. He graduated with a BS in Education with a concentration in history, economics and politics.
Immediately after college he took a job in the insurance industry. For the last seven years he has concentrated on his senior-related insurance business. Runestad Financial Associates LLC, to help clients deal with their long-term financial and health care needs.
Jim’s life was blessedly transformed one evening as he found and then later married the love of his life, Kathy. Jim and Kathy have raised five kids, Joel, Justin, Lena, Lee and youngest Kayla at their home in Waterford. While raising his family and running his business, he still found time to devote to various causes in which he believed.
Jim traveled the state of Michigan in a successful effort to work with various county commissions to put in place advisory committees to improve the level of Friend of the Court services in numerous counties. Jennifer Gratz, Chairperson for MCRI, of the Proposition 2 initiative to end race preferences in government hiring and education, said Jim was an invaluable asset in getting the proposed state constitutional amendment passed.
He has also spent countless hours helping deliver meals on wheels and raising money for the Alzheimer Association. He was active in the North Oakland Board of Realtor legislative affairs and grievance committees, as well various activities in the local Chamber of Commerce.
As he continued to work in the community, Jim's life-long interest in politics started to become more pronounced. In 2003 his activities in support of the local Republican Party were recognized with his election to the then Waterford Republican Club. The club at that time was a little known organization with few members or visibility.
Because of Jim’s commitment, and the efforts of the hard working team of leaders at the reorganized North Oakland Republican Club,  NORC grew to one of the largest memberships in state with unparallel influence and success. The state party chair, Saul Anusis, recently named the club the “Gold Standard” for republican organizations in the state, citing among other characteristics, the largest consistent monthly attendance of all state clubs.
Now, with a record of success and achievement and a demonstrated ability to get things done coupled with his steadfast commitment to smaller and more efficient government, Jim is out on the road, going door to door through all of the 6th district of White Lake and Waterford asking for your vote.
|
