We were all saddened to hear the news that one of our community’s strongest advocates passed away just days before Christmas.
Jim McGregor, vice chairman of McGregor Metalworking Companies, died Tuesday while traveling home from a business trip.
Jim was a very influential business owner and a true leader, not only on a local level, but also on a state and federal level, winning many awards for leadership and training.
He had been a strong advocate for small businesses and manufacturing and served on the President’s Manufacturing Council in the Bush and Obama administrations.
He was a former member of the chamber board and generously supported the arts and other community related initiatives and projects. For that, his company was presented the chamber’s first Golden Leaf Award in 2007.
He was especially passionate about education. When the Springfield City School District failed three times to pass a levy to rebuild its school buildings, it was Jim who engaged the business community to rally behind the cause and help the schools pass the $160 million levy in 2006.
It is safe to say that Jim McGregor had been a part of almost every big project or important initiative that has happened in Springfield over the past couple of decades. You simply don’t replace a person like that.
We are thankful for the time that Jim spent around the table on behalf of many trying to get a deal done to help move the community forward!
I will miss seeing him around the chamber board room table, in his workout clothes every other Monday morning debating the issues of the day and trying to figure out how to move us forward.
That is the Jim McGregor I remember. He will be sorely missed.
Our condolences to Nancy and the entire family.
Visitation is today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Richards Raff and Dunbar Funeral Home, 838 E. High St.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, at 11 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 409 East High St.
