Jim Waddell, 39

By Sarah Roberts

Growing up, Jim Waddell watched his father, James, combine a busy professional career with active community involvement. It was a valuable lesson that the younger Waddell has applied to his life and is intent on teaching his family as well.

“One of the lessons I learned early on is that we have a responsibility to give back to our community. The community is your home, and you can have a direct impact on the place you live when you volunteer.”

Waddell, a boomeranger who was born and raised in Rockford and returned here after college, keeps plenty busy with his day job in the actuation business unit of Hamilton Sundstrand, where he is responsible for managing the launch and maintenance of various products for large commercial aviation customers.

His free time, meanwhile, is filled with volunteer commitments, whether it’s serving on the board of the Rockford Area Illini Club, fundraising for the YMCA or performing in an annual benefit concert with friends and other local musicians.

Waddell is particularly drawn to organizations that help children or promote education, which explains his longstanding devotion to the YMCA – he’s been involved in multiple Strong Kids campaigns and earned the organization’s Volunteer of the Year award in both 2003 and 2006.

Continuing his father’s tradition, Waddell and his wife Stephanie make sure to involve their daughter Caitlin, 8, in community events.

“We get so wrapped up in our own lives and own day-to-day experiences that we kind of forget there are people with other experiences who may not have the same advantages we have.