Jim H. Johnston
Epsilon-Eta
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Jim graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1977 with a Business Degree in Business Management and Marketing.
While attending Southwestern, he was initiated into Epsilon-Eta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon in February of 1973. As a collegiate, he served as Rush Chairman, Epiprytanis, Hegemon and Histor. He also served as IFC President and was the recipient of the Foreman Award.
Upon graduation, Jim went to work for the TKE Professional Staff as Chapter Services Director. He was on the Professional Staff at TKE for two years. During that time, he was inducted into the Knights of Apollo.
Jim retired from a 40+ year career in the Food Manufacturing arena. His was Director of Sales for the Non-Commercial & Military Business Worldwide for Smithfield Foods. His career in the Foodservice Industry also included Senior Sales Management positions with Nabisco, ConAgra and Butterball.
He is an inductee of the Southern Order of Honor & TKE Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
Jim has served TKE as a Grand Province Advisor for Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. He also served as a Province Advisor , BOA Member and Presenter at multiple Regional Leadership Conferences. He also served on the Grand Council as Grand Pylortes and served on the Programs Committee, Risk Committee and as Chairman of the Alumni Advisory Committee.
Jim was selected as Volunteer of the Month, Volunteer of the Year as well as a recipient of the Grand Prytanis Key Leader Award and Medal of Excellence from the TKE Foundation.
Jim currently serves the Fraternity on the Grand Council as Grand Grammateus and serves on the Board Development Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Member Education Committee and Chair of the External Affairs Committee.
In addition, Jim also serves as an Ambassador for the TKE Foundation. He has been a Life Loyal Teke since January 2012.
Besides his work with TKE, Jim also has served as Administrative Council Chair on his church’s Board and has coordinated nine International Mission trips, where the teams built three churches, coordinated multiple feeding and Christian Education programs for Children.
Jim has hiked multiple Pilgrimages & hikes in Europe. These include The French Way of St. James in Northern Spain, The Coastal Way of St. James, on the Northwest Coast of Spain. The West Highland Way in Scotland and this September, Jim is scheduled to hike the Annandale Way in the Borderlands of Scotland.
Jim and his wife Diane live in Buckeye, Arizona. Buckeye is a suburb Northwest of Phoenix. They have four grown sons. Two of whom are also members of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Jim’s Step-Father & brothers in law are also Members of TKE. Jim’s three Grandsons are six time legacies to TKE.