Jim Thalacker

Senior District Executive

Jim is the Senior District Executive for the Buffalo Ridge District. 

He became involved in Scouting in Berlin, Wisconsin when he joined Cub Scouts in second grade. He earned his Eagle rank in January, 1964. As a Boy Scout, Jim attended the 1964 National Jamboree at Valley Forge, JLT Training, Eagle Scout Forestry Camp, and was active in the Order of the Arrow.

After serving in Viet Nam with the Army Security Agency, Jim earned an Associate Degree in Occupational Studies from the Culinary Institute of America and a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Hospitality Management from the University of New Haven.

After spending eleven years managing in institutional food service at Yale, Notre Dame and Winona State, he went into teaching as an assistant professor of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Southwest Minnesota State University. During that time he returned to school and earned a Masters in Management and Administration from Metropolitan State University. He also found time to return to Scouting as a Cubmaster w/ Pack 233 and a committee member for Troop 238 in Marshall, MN and spent four summers as the Aquatics Director at Lewis & Clark Scout Camp.

Changing careers after thirteen years of teaching, in 1998 Jim joined the professional staff as a District Executive with the Manitou District. After three years he was promoted to Senior District Executive and chose to serve the Buffalo Ridge District when the Council redistricted. From 1998 – 2000 he also served as the Asst. Camp Director at Lewis & Clark Scout Camp. He received his Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow in 2000 and served on staff at the 2005 National Jamboree.

Jim resides in Milroy Minnesota with his wife Barbara. They have three grown children, Reagen, Jeremy, and Emily, who is a freshman at Augustana and currently works in the Premier Scout Shop. They also have two grandchildren, Elijah and Callia.

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