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'''Robert James "Jim" Nicholson''' (born [[February 4]], [[1938]]<ref>[http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=9831 U.S. Envoy Thanks Pope for Prayers and Closeness], a post-[[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] press release from the [[Zenit News Agency]]</ref>) is an [[Attorney at law|attorney]], [[real estate developer]], and more recently, and a former [[United States Republican Party|Republican Party]] chairman. He has been the [[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] since [[January 26]], [[2005]]. [[CNN]] reported on [[July 17]] [[2007]] that he was stepping down as Secretary.
'''Robert James "Jim" Nicholson''' (born [[February 4]], [[1938]]<ref>[http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=9831 U.S. Envoy Thanks Pope for Prayers and Closeness], a post-[[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] press release from the [[Zenit News Agency]]</ref>) is an [[Attorney at law|attorney]], [[real estate developer]], and more recently, and a former [[United States Republican Party|Republican Party]] chairman. He has been the [[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] since [[January 26]], [[2005]]. [[CNN]] reported on [[July 17]] [[2007]] that he was stepping down as Secretary.[http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/17/breaking-va-secretary-jim-nicholson-resigns/]


==Political career==
==Political career==

Revision as of 16:07, 17 July 2007

Jim Nicholson
5th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Assumed office
January 26, 2005
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byAnthony J. Principi
Personal details
Born (1938-02-04) February 4, 1938 (age 86)
Struble, Iowa
Political partyRepublican
Professionattorney

Robert James "Jim" Nicholson (born February 4, 1938[1]) is an attorney, real estate developer, and more recently, and a former Republican Party chairman. He has been the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs since January 26, 2005. CNN reported on July 17 2007 that he was stepping down as Secretary.[1]

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"[2] for GOP national chairman in January 1997. He served in that role through the 2000 presidential election.

Between 2001 and his appointment as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, he served as United States Ambassador to the Holy See (the Vatican).

Nicholson's department is currently under scrutiny as a result of revelations pertaining to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center neglect scandal.

NOTE: VA and DoD maintain separate healthcare systems with independent management oversight. Mr. Nicholson is not accountable for DoD matters and this should not be implied. Overall awareness by the public did bring light to backlogs in claims processing, as well as individual Medical Centers under poor management. VA healthcare, however, continues to be well rated and much improved.

Legal and business career

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, which became an award-winning builder of quality custom homes.

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 Medal, 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.

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]

Nicholson has a Master's degree in Public Policy from Columbia University. He received a law degree from the University of Denver 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 who are grown and live on their own.[5]

Trivia

References

  1. ^ U.S. Envoy Thanks Pope for Prayers and Closeness, a post-9/11 press release from the Zenit News Agency
  2. ^ Coloradan Nicholson to lead Veterans Affairs, a December 2004 Denver Post article
  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. ^ Official biography - whitehouse.gov.
  6. ^ The Party Line, a January 1998 column from Westword
  7. ^ Situation Room transcript. CNN.com.

External links

Template:U.S. Secretary box
Preceded by U. S. Ambassador to the Holy See
2001-2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Presidential Line of Succession
15th in line 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States order of precedence
as of 2007 		Succeeded by

Template:Persondata

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