This award is presented in appreciation of Jim Partington who has been a tireless ambassador for Pius X High School and serves as an example of leadership and service to his family, friends, community and country.
Jim Partington attended the University of Nebraska, and then entered the US Navy Flight Training Program in 1959. He earned his commission as an ensign and naval aviator wings in 1961. He graduated from the Naval War College Command and Staff course in 1970 and the National Defense University Capstone Course for Flag and General Officers in 1989.
Jim has served in several operational carrier squadrons and various related assignments as he progressed from ensign to rear admiral during a thirty-three year career. He was the commanding officer of the first operational F/A-18 squadron. Following this tour he was assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations Staff as the Program Coordinator for the F/A-18 aircraft at a critical period in the development of the weapons system. He worked with key members of the defense establishment and
Congress to define operational requirements for the aircraft, complete the operational test plan and obtain approval for production.
He also served as Deputy Commander, Carrier Battle Group Bravo deployed on the USS Kitty Hawk in the North Arabian Sea/Persian Gulf operating area. Flag officer assignments included Commander, Strike Fighter Wings Atlantic Fleet and Commander, Naval Training Center Great Lakes.
After retiring from the Navy, Jim and Barbara returned to Lincoln where he worked for five years with Senior Technologies, Inc. in three different vice president positions, strategic planning, engineering and product support.
Jim left Senior Technologies, Inc. in January of 1998 to serve as a consultant for the Nebraska Center for Excellence in Electronics, a public/private venture to establish an electronic testing and training facility in Nebraska. This facility successfully met the requirements for designation as a qualified testing facility and is up and operating.
In June of 1998 he accepted a position as President of Riser Bond Instruments, a local electronics company. The company was sold to Radiodetection Ltd., an electronics company with headquarters in Bristol, UK. Jim was asked to remain with Radiodetection in a new position as President of the Cable Test Division. This division included Riser Bond and Bicotest, a similar company located in Cheshunt, UK. Jim retired from this position in 2002 and in 2003 joined the Nebraska Restaurant Association as Executive Director.
Jim serves on the Board of Directors, Nebraska Center for Excellence in Electronics and Lancaster County Red Cross and is a Trustee of Excelsior College, Albany, New York. He has past service on the Board of Directors, United Way, Lake County, Illinois.
Jim and his wife Barbara have three daughters and five grandchildren. Their oldest daughter Jennifer Reeder is presently the Vintner for Deer Springs Winery; a family owned and operated vineyard and winery that will open in May of 2007. She and her husband Jon have two children, Aislinn and Ryan attending Pius High School. Their second daughter Kathleen Hennagir also lives in Lincoln with her son John. She has a Master’s Degree in special education and works for the Lincoln Public school system. Betsy, their youngest daughter, lives in Lemoore, California and has two children, Madeline and James.
Military awards include the Legion of Merit (5), Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (28), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V (4), South Vietnamese Air Gallantry Cross, and Presidential Unit Citation.
