Jim Isaacson, 2007 Inductee

A man who learned at an early age that hard work can pay off in advancing his career, Isaacson started sweeping floors at a local typesetting company in Minneapolis before graduating from high school. He left the firm 26 years later as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He then joined Weston Engraving as sales and marketing vice president and under his leadership, the firm grew from a local base to a national firm serving numerous advertising agencies. He left Weston after 15 years when it was sold to an internationally owned graphic arts corporation. Retirement came in 1992 from a color separation company he worked for that also went from local to national sales under his direction as vice president of sales and marketing. He bought a lot and built a house that was completed in Rio Verde in 1980. His most important involvement since retiring has been the Rio Verde Habitat for Humanity project in the Valley. As the chief organizer for the Rio Verde team, they have raised money and built 18 homes (and counting), more than any other community. The team also built a storage building for Hospice of the Valley. He has also served on the Rio Verde Fire Board, Verdes Emergency Services (after 19 years), the Rio Verde Community Association Board and has been active with the Rio Verde Community Church.