Jim Nicholson (Secretary of Veterans Affairs)

Jim Nicholson
5th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
In office
January 26, 2005 – October 1, 2007
President George W. Bush
Preceded by Anthony Principi
Succeeded by Gordon Mansfield (Acting)
United States Ambassador to the Holy See
In office
September 13, 2001 – January 26, 2005
President George W. Bush
Preceded by Lindy Boggs
Succeeded by Francis Rooney
Chairman of the Republican National Committee
In office
January 17, 1997 – January 18, 2001
Preceded by Haley Barbour
Succeeded by Jim Gilmore
Personal details
Born Robert James Nicholson
(1938-02-04) February 4, 1938
Struble, Iowa, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Suzanne Marie Ferrell
Children 3
Alma mater United States Military Academy
Columbia University
University of Denver
Religion Roman Catholicism
Awards Bronze Star
Combat Infantryman Badge
Meritorious Service Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Air Medal (2)
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1961–1991
Rank Colonel
Battles/wars Vietnam War

Robert James "Jim" Nicholson (born February 4, 1938[1]) is an attorney, real estate developer, and a former Republican Party chairman. He was the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from January 26, 2005 until October 1, 2007.[2]

Personal life

Nicholson was born on a farm near Struble, Iowa. Nicholson has characterized his childhood as "growing up dirt poor in a tenant house without plumbing and sometimes without food".[3] He is the brother of retired Army General John W. Nicholson.

Nicholson has a Master's degree in Public Policy from Columbia University. He received a law degree from the University of Denver College of Law in 1972.[4]

Nicholson is married to the former Suzanne Marie Ferrell of Highland Falls, New York, who is an accomplished artist. They are the parents of three children.[5]

Military service

He is a 1961 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and served eight years in active duty. He was a paratrooper and Ranger-qualified Army officer. He fought in the Vietnam War, where he earned the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and two Air Medals. After thirty years of military service he retired in 1991 with the rank of Colonel.

In 2005, he was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award by the USMA.

Before becoming active in civilian government service, he practiced law in Denver, Colorado, specializing in real estate, municipal finance and zoning law. In 1978 he founded Nicholson Enterprises, Inc., a developer of planned residential communities, and in 1987 he bought Renaissance Homes, a custom-home builder. Currently, he is senior counsel with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP. His practice includes public policy, health care, state and federal regulatory law, international relations, real estate, oil and gas, and alternative energy. He works from both the Washington, D.C. and Denver offices.

Nicholson was chairman of the Volunteers of America of Colorado. He serves as director of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc, Daniels Fund, Federated Funds, and is a fellow of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Political career

Nicholson has never held elected office, but has long been active in the Republican Party. In January 1986, he was elected committeeman from Colorado for the Republican National Committee (RNC). In 1993, he was elected Vice-Chairman of the RNC, and was the "surprise pick"[6] for GOP national chairman in January 1997. He served in that role through the 2000 presidential election.

Between 2001 and 2005, Nicholson served as United States Ambassador to the Holy See (the Vatican). In 2003, Pope John Paul II knighted him with the Grand Cross for his leadership on human rights issues and standing for religious freedom.Order of Pius IX.

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Envoy Thanks Pope for Prayers and Closeness, a post-9/11 press release from the Zenit News Agency
  2. ↑ Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. "Nicholson to Leave VA and Return to the Private Sector — Public and Intergovernmental Affairs". .va.gov. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  3. ↑ Official transcript of Nicholson's nomination, whitehouse.gov; Accessed March 13, 2007.
  4. ↑ College of Law History Alumni Image Collection from the University of Denver
  5. ↑ "Jim Nicholson, Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs". Georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  6. ↑ Coloradan Nicholson to lead Veterans Affairs, a December 2004 Denver Post article
Party political offices
Preceded by
Haley Barbour		 Chair of the Republican National Committee
1997–2001 		Succeeded by
Jim Gilmore
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Lindy Boggs		 United States Ambassador to the Holy See
2001–2005 		Succeeded by
Francis Rooney
Political offices
Preceded by
Anthony Principi		 United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
2005–2007 		Succeeded by
Gordon Mansfield
Acting
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