Congratulations to PDG Jim McKee
Ashtabula High School Class of 1979
Ashtabula High School Class of 1979
Class president upon his graduation from AHS, Jim was the student body president at Kent State University, Ashtabula in 1980-81 when he earned the Outstanding Student Service Award before graduating from Kent’s Main Campus in 1984 where he served as the Executive Director of Student Government. While at Kent, Jim led a delegation of students to Washington, DC to convince Congress to make Martin Luther King Day a National Holiday. During the event, he stood behind Stevie Wonder and between Coretta Scott King and Andrew Young as Stevie led the crowd in “We Shall Overcome”. His efforts led to receiving the John B. Beacom Memorial Award for his civil rights efforts. He later graduated from the University of Akron, School of Law in 1987 where he was also Class President.In 1986, he began a carpet cleaning business known as SPECIAL TOUCH of Northeast Ohio which services a 9 county area. The business was named a “Beacon’s Best” Business by the Akron Beacon Journal for 8 consecutive years from 2011-18. A tireless entrepreneur, he sold numerous mom and pop businesses that allowed him to package several real estate investments he owns today. A charter member and first president of TEEM (a business networking group in Summit County), he was named the Business Person of the Year in 2014. In 2008, he purchased American Storage Units in Kent.
In 1996, he became a Rotarian and served as his club’s president 4 times culminating in serving as the District Governor for Rotary District 6630 in 2016-17. In 2015 and 2019, he received the District Governor Award for Service acknowledging numerous programs and contributions. He assisted Rotary with making contributions locally and abroad emulating Jim’s philosophy and the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” One key program he has championed is SWAG (Student’s With A Goal) which serves Akron’s at-risk students. Jim’s signature project and proudest accomplishment was developing “Rotary Swims” in Cuyahoga Falls, which has taught over 300 youngsters how to swim.
Jim is dedicated to living a “green life.” He operates a farm with free-range eggs and grass fed beef cattle, solar panels to provide electricity, and a private CNG plant that he uses to power his carpet cleaning fleet with clean fuel.
Recently, Jim has been spending more time in Ashtabula looking to make a difference and give back in his home town. He founded the organization, “I’m in…Amazing Ashtabula” to collaborate various community organizations into working collectively on positive projects in Ashtabula, usually focusing on clean-up and beautification. His goal in all his endeavors is “to make a difference.”
Article provided by the AHS/HHS/LHS Alumni Association