A. James Balkins

Jim originally joined Healthwise’s board of directors in 1992. He later served as the company’s general counsel, chief strategic officer, chief financial officer, and head of international operations. Jim retired from his executive roles in 2016 and rejoined the board in 2017. He has served as chair since 2018.

Jim received his BA from Walla Walla University and his JD and MBA from Willamette University. He also completed the management development program at Harvard Business School.

In 1979, Jim joined Boise Cascade, providing commercial legal advice to their distribution and manufacturing managers. He went on to serve as the company’s securities and finance attorney as well as corporate secretary for Boise Cascade and Boise Cascade Office Products during the 1980s and early 1990s.

In 1996, Jim left the legal field and spent two years as Boise Cascade’s vice president for corporate planning and development before moving to Chicago as senior vice president and CFO for Boise Cascade’s Office Products Division. Jim helped reshape the future of the company in the United States with the acquisition of OfficeMax and internationally by repositioning operations in Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

For over 15 years Jim has been an MBA graduate adjunct professor teaching business plan feasibility and strategic management. He also provides executive mentoring for individuals, not-for-profits, and for-profit businesses.