Jim was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  His family moved to Connecticut in 1960, where he attended Ridgefield High School.  After graduation, Cupper joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served four years as an air traffic controller.  After receiving an honorable discharge from the USAF, Cupper enrolled at Western Michigan University, where he earned a BBA with a major in advertising.  Upon graduation, he worked for Burroughs Corporation as an account executive, selling adding machines, accounting machines, and later - computers.  Cupper subsequently worked for the FAA as a civilian air traffic controller prior to joining Beardsley & Company, a full service advertising agency as a writer and account executive.  He then became a senior account executive at Stap, another advertising agency, serving as senior brand strategist for McCrosky Marketing Communications.

 

Jim's Rotary career began at the Gull Lake Area Rotary Club in the early eighties.  Unfortunately, time constraints forced him to resign, however, he never lost his affinity for Rotary, and joined the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo in 2009.  He became very active in the Kalamazoo club, acting as chair of the Literacy Committee.  In that capacity, he was instrumental in leading the implementation of what has become one of the club's signature programs - Rotary is for Reading.

 

Jim joined the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo's Board of Directors in 2013 and was subsequently elected club president for the 2015-2016 Rotary year.  As Club president he led the implementation of several new programs, including Career Connections, a Habitat for Humanity Partnership, expanded Rotary is for Reading, and the Christmas Adopt A Family program in addition, he presided over the club's 100-year Gala, during which the club hosted a visit by the RI President, Ravi Ravindran and his wife Vanity.

 

Jim and his wife Chris have attended the Rotary International Conventions in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2015 and in Seoul, Korea in 2016.  Cupper was also in charge of organizing a District Bus Trip to the RI Convention in Atlanta, GA in 2017.  "If you have never attended a Rotary International Convention, you should make a point of doing so.  It is an unforgettable experience that just might change your outlook on life," enthused Cupper.