About James K. Berthold

BSME 1960, MSM
MBA 1962, Washington University
Professional ME 1990, UMR
Honorary Doctorate in Engineering 1997, UMR
OGS Member

Jim spent 40+ years at Sunnen Products becoming the first non-family President of this St. Louis based manufacturer of precision machines for industrial honing and automotive engine rebuilding in 1987. He also assumed the position of Chairman in 1990. Retiring completely in 2002, Jim continues to focus on numerous civic and charitable activities. He is a founding member of UMR's Academy of Mechanical Engineers, a member of the Order of the Golden Shillelagh, a past recipient of the UMR Alumni Merit Award and has served as an UMR Trustee. He is past Chairman of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the YMCA of the Ozarks, the Maplewood Chamber of Commerce, the Maplewood Community Betterment Foundation, the Sunnen Charitable Foundation, Kirkwood Pioneer Boosters and the Bonhomme Township Republican Club and still serves as a director of some of these. Jim also served as Commissioner of Public Works and Councilman for the City of Kirkwood, director of The Magic House St. Louis Children's Museum, and is currently director of Commerce Bank of St. Louis, the St. Louis Area Boy Scout Council, the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis County and Fourche Valley Charitable Trust. In 1995, he was honored with the J. Clinton Hawkins "Volunteer of the Year Award from the YMCA of Greater St. Louis.