Jim Ellison grew up on a farm near Salem, OR. His dad was a farmer with big dreams who often left home to mine for gold; his mom was the rock who held the family together. After high school, Jim went into the Air Force, where he gained confidence and leadership skills. He capped a career of college teaching by becoming Vice- President for Instruction at Lane Community College.

Jim has a daughter, Deborah, who lives in Salem. He and his wife, Julie Aspinwall-Lamberts, are longtime Encore supporters.