Jim Alexander,   President,

Friends of the RR Museum of PA
 

Jim Alexander, a member of the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (FRM), was elected by the Board to be President for a two year term ending in December 2003. After leaving the Board, Jim was requested to serve as an ex officio member of its Executive Committee, and consults with the Museum Director and the Museum Advancement Director on strategic matters. In addition, Jim continues to manage the site's expanded computer system, web site, and provides management assistance.

An active volunteer for over fifteen years, Jim served as a member of the Board for several terms, and is active in leading the museum's computerization program which deals with both business and library/archival functions.  He has previously participated in docent activities, educational programs, and restoration work. As president, he exercised leadership in planning, marketing, personnel, fiscal and program efforts, continuing efforts initiated as vice-president.

Jim brings his managerial training and experience to a series of challenges facing the organization, including continued growth, securing public and private support, and marketing the museum to a series of public groups, including railroad fans, tourists, educators, historians and researchers. 

Accomplishments have included implementation of marketing logo, adoption of new fund-raising program combining individual tax savings and assured income, award-winning web site, successful fiscal management during difficult economic conditions, enhanced railroaders' memorial and fund-raising program, continued progress on computerized library and archives data management, staff role evolution, and promotion of business-like Board of Directors role.

The FRM is a chartered non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's educational and public service programs.  Its 1700 members worldwide are committed to the preservation of railroad history; its active members typically contribute 17,000 hours of on-site support each year.  Since its inception in 1983, the FRM has provided over $6 million in financial support and 250,000 hours of volunteer service to the Railroad Museum.  It employs staff to assist the museum, is licensed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to operate the museum at certain times, and pursues public and private grants and donations of railroad equipment and promotional services.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is located in Strasburg, PA, in Lancaster County, and is second only to the State Museum in Harrisburg in terms of annual visitorship. It houses over a hundred historically significant locomotives and rail cars, and maintains invaluable historic records, art work,  photographs and memorabilia.

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