Jim Barrett served for 32 years as President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, an advocate for private enterprise in the legislative, regulatory, political and judicial process.

Jim was named by the Michigan Political History Society in 2003 as the most effective association leader in State politics over the last 50 years. In 2008 the Mackinac Center for Public Policy presented him with the Thomas Jefferson Award for a career marked by exceptional commitment to protecting taxpayers, fostering enterprise and improving the quality of life in Michigan.

Since 2008, Jim has been an investor with Plymouth Growth Ventures, an Ann Arbor-based venture capital firm. He serves as Chairman of the Investment Advisory Committee for one of Plymouth's Funds.

Jim is currently Chairman of the Great Lakes Education Project (GLEP), Director of the National Charter Schools Institute, Chairman of McLaren-Greater Lansing Hospital and Director and Treasurer of McLaren Health Care Corporation. He is also an appointee of Governor Snyder to the Michigan Civil Service Commission where he is Vice Chairman.

Jim holds a bachelor's degree in Financial Administration from Michigan State University.