JIM WHALEY

Board Member

Jim is the CEO and Founder of Sonnet Public Relations, LLC.

Jim Whaley is the CEO and Founder of Sonnet Public Relations, LLC. Sonnet is a veteran owned business that helps corporations, not-for-profits and organizations tell their story and propel their brands by doing good in the world.

Previously, Jim was the Regional President and CEO of USO Southeast responsible for all operations and fund development in ten states North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. Leading over 5,000 volunteers and employees with a budget in excess of $12 million, serving over 1,500,000 active-duty service members and their families.

Preceding this, Jim served as the Vice President, Global Corporate Communications and Government Affairs for Sealed Air Corporation, a Fortune 500 company. Jim was responsible for all internal and external corporate communications, branding, public affairs, and Sealed Air's philanthropic and governmental strategies, as well as improving the communities where Sealed Air employees live and work.

Prior, Jim served as the Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing for Siemens Corporation a Fortune 500 company, where he was responsible for the strategy, direction and management of corporate communications and marketing in North America. Jim led the execution of the U.S. Answers Campaign, the largest branding and marketing campaign in the company's history. as Chairman of the Siemens Foundation where he designed and implemented Siemens Science Day globally and expanded the scope and reach of Siemens philanthropy globally.

Jim served as Director of Communications at the United States Military Academy at West Point. In that position he executed an innovative communications plan in celebration of West Point's 200th anniversary. This plan resulted in 19 books, eight network television documentaries, and won the Public Relations Society of America Award of Excellence and the PR Week Public Campaign of the Year.

He is a graduate of Lock Haven University where he received his undergraduate degree. He completed his MBA at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Jim was a Master Army Aviator and U.S. Army Helicopter Instructor Pilot. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Air Assault Badge and Humanitarian Service Medal, as well as numerous other awards.

Jim serves on the Boards of Directors of Veterans Bridge Home, and Red Cross of the Carolinas.