Orange County Rescue Mission, Inc.

Jim Palmer, President of OCRM since October 1992, is an ordained pastor at the Village Church of Irvine. Born and raised in Orange County, Mr. Palmer co-founded Irvine Temporary Housing, which assists homeless men, women and children and he served as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1984. Jim has quietly served on over 42 different non-profit Board of Directors Since 1997, he has served as a County Commissioner for the County of Orange?s Housing Commission; today he serves as its Chairman, and was instrumental in the development of the Continuum of Care Leadership Cabinet, a sub-committee of the Housing Commission which assists in the development of regional strategies for homeless programs. As Chair of the Leadership Cabinet, Jim Palmer has helped the Orange County government secure over $53 million in federal funding for county homeless programs. Furthermore, Jim?s vision for collaboration led him to found the Orange County Partnership, a collaborative group of hunger, housing, and healthcare providers. He is a strong advocate for decentralizing non-profit administration - empowering staff to make decisions centered on mutual values. Under Mr. Palmer?s direction OCRM received the 211th Presidential Point of Light for program excellence and cost effectiveness on behalf of the homeless in Orange County. Jim?s strong belief in serving others, and excellent reputation as a leader, have recently led him to a Presidential appointment and Senate confirmation to a role as a Director on the Board for the Corporation for National and Community Service, which he will be serving through 2011. Jim was elected to the Tustin City Council in November of 2006. Jim believes that good government begins with principles. Jim led a county-wide effort to assist the hurricane evacuees who came to Orange County. As a result, this was the only county in the nation who allowed a government, public and non-profit disaster recovery effort to be led by a non-profit organization. Jim currently also serves as Chairman, for the Professional Service Responders, Orange County Sheriff?s Department, in Orange County, California; and as the Director of Security and Safety Division Spirit West Coast ? Del Mar, Tustin, California.