Jim And Georganna Fitzgerald

Jim was a member of the Rotary Club of Marshall from 1980 to June of 2000, where he served as President during 1988-1989. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Hallsville from June 2000 to June 2008.  He is now a member of the Rotary Club of Marshall. Under his leadership the Marshall Rotary club established the Rotary Club of Hallsville and received the "Outstanding Club Award" for 1988-1989. Jim and his wife Georganna are both extended Paul Harris Fellows, Foundation Benefactors, Centurions, and Foundation Major Donors. They have a strong commitment to continued support of The Rotary Foundation programs through Annual Giving and Special Needs funding.

He served as Rotary International District Governor for District 5830, in 1992-1993. During his year as Governor of District 5830, he was instrumental in establishing a new Rotary club in Canton Texas. Foundation giving was at an all-time high, including a One-hundred Thousand Dollar gift to the Rotary Foundation Endowment Fund from the District Permanent Fund.

His more satisfying accomplishments of the year, were helping two clubs secure and complete Matching Grants. The Winnsboro Rotary Club teamed with The Rotary Club of Mandaluyong East, to drill water wells and construct public toilets in Orani, Battan, Philippines.

This was one of TWO Matching Grants that District 5830 secured and completed during his year. The other Matching Grant was received by The Rotary Club of Longview South and the Rotary Club of Salina Cruz, Mexico, to drill a water well at a hospital in a remote part of Mexico.

Jim continues to be very active in district activities. He has served in many capacities throughout the district and Zones 5 and 11. he has been an instructor at the multi-district, Lone Star Presidents-Elect Training Seminars, helped host the TEXAS Breakfast at The International Convention in Melbourne in May Of 1993. Governor Jim has hosted G.S.E. team members from numerous countries, Youth Exchange members for special events, and Rotary Friendship Exchange teams from New Zealand and Australia. He is the Web Master for the District website and the Zones 25 & 26 website, and the Hallsville website.

Jim is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, with a degree in Business Administration. He began his career in metalworking in 1953 as a high school student, taking Machine Shop classes and working evenings and weekends in a machine shop. He worked his way through college as a machinist, and except for a brief period in the early 70's, after he graduated, he has focused entirely on that area. He worked for numerous employers over the years, including Bell Helicopter, Safety Seal Piston Ring, Wesco Valve, before starting his own firm in 1977, with partner Ed Baker.
 
After 14 years, he sold his interest in that company, and started Magnum Technology, which is the parent company of Magnum Machine and Manufacturing, producing a hydraulic pushrod, which he invented for the natural gas transmission industry , and a "Wax Slabbing Chill Plate and Press, for the Wax Blending industry.

Georganna is active in numerous church, club, and civic organizations. She has served as President of the American Business Women's Association, President of the Marshall Hospital Auxiliary and currently works in the business with Jim and their son Kenneth.