James Smith of Georgetown, Texas, is currently serving his second year as a member of the Boards of Directors for Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children®. He was elected Imperial Captain of the Guard, part of the 13-member body that helps govern the Shriners fraternity,  during the Shriners’ 2012 Imperial Session – held in Charlotte July 1-5.

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Smith is originally from Racine, Wisconsin., and received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin. He also studied for his MBA at the Keller School of Management in Chicago.

Smith was raised to Master Mason in Phillips Lodge #225 in Phillips, Wis. He is a member of Eau Claire Commandery #8, Chippewa Falls 25 Council in Wis., and the Valley of Austin, Orient of Texas Scottish Rite. Smith originally became a member of Zor Shriners in Madison, Wis.  After moving to Georgetown, Texas, he became a member of the San Gabriel Lodge #89 and joined Ben Hur Shriners in 2004.

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In 2009, Smith was Potentate of Ben Hur Shriners. As Potentate, Ben Hur achieved a balanced budget for the first time in many years and his temple was awarded the Gold Membership Award for a net gain in membership. It was the first time Ben Hur Shriners had achieved gold status in 38 years.

In addition, Smith served on the Imperial Donor Relations committee from 2005-2011 and was President of the Sun City Shriners in 2005. He has been a member of the Transporters, Provost Guard, Highlanders and Austin Court 35 Royal Order of Jesters. In 2005, Smith was made an “Honorary Texan” by Governor Rick Perry.

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For more than 30 years, Smith worked in the material handling business and was also part owner of Smith’s Shamrock Oil Company in Phillips, Wisconsin.