Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 15, 1992 TAG: 9201140136
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
JAMES STEWART
He's involved in so many organizations and groups that you may know him personally. But, then again, maybe not.He heads an economic development center at New River Community College, but he also does some fun things. And although he likes to remain fairly anonymous, there are a lot of people who know and respect him for his hard work and dedication.
\ NAME: James C. Stewart.
\ AGE: 50.
\ NICKNAME: "None that would fit in the newspaper!"
\ BORN: Jan. 4, 1942, in Roxboro, N.C.
\ MARITAL STATUS: Married to Diana, 47.
\ CHILDREN: Elizabeth, 20, and twins James and Courtland, 18.
\ PETS: Two dogs, Cavik and Buffy, and Chester the cat.
\ OCCUPATION: Technology transfer director of the Center for Innovative Technology at New River Community College since 1987. Formerly worked for Burlington Industries Inc. as a plant manager in Radford and other locations.
\ EDUCATION: Master's degree in education from Virginia Tech.
\ WHOM DO YOU ADMIRE MOST? "My parents. My dad trained to be a trial lawyer, but never paid the $5 for the license. He was a produce inspector for the Department of Agriculture. And my mom was just a great mom."
\ WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT LIVING IN CHRISTIANSBURG? "It's a friendly town with a small-town charm. I've moved a dozen times and have decided that you can be happy or unhappy anywhere - it's up to you."
\ WHAT DO YOU LIKE LEAST? "More attention should be paid to beautification."
\ WHAT WOULD MOST IMPROVE THE NEW RIVER VALLEY? "With the resources we have available from an educational standpoint, we could be a center for education in the eastern United States through economic development."
\ WHERE ELSE WOULD YOU LIVE? "With plenty of money, anywhere is fine!"
\ WHAT'S THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOU? "Having the family I have."
\ WHAT'S THE WORST THING? "Same answer! Children are the greatest source of pride and pain." An auto accident that he and his family were involved in was a bad experience. Everyone was injured, but one of his sons, who was three at the time, was severely injured, but luckily recovered.
\ THE SMARTEST THING YOU EVER DID: "Came to the New River Valley. I really like and enjoy the area."
\ THE DUMBEST: "Not seeing the opportunities that life has to offer soon enough. I tend to wait for things to happen instead of pursuing them."
\ HOBBIES: Work on the farm - and he's chairman of the Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Commission and a member of the Christiansburg Board of Zoning Appeals, the Montgomery Industrial Development Authority, Radford Community Hospital board, Rotary and the Local Emergency Planning Committee. "But really, I'm a good example of a couch potato!"
\ SECRET TO SUCCESS: "I don't know how to measure that. Overall, I'm pretty dull!"
\ WORST HABIT: "Overeating."
\ WORST JOB: "Working at a sawmill. It was slave labor."
\ PET PEEVE: "I don't like people who hide their true feelings. I like people to be whatever they are, good or bad."
\ FAVORITE FOOD: Spaghetti.
\ FAVORITE DRINKS: Iced tea and coffee.
\ FAVORITE MOVIE: "Lonesome Dove."
\ FAVORITE MAGAZINE: "Virginia Business."
\ FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Pargo's.
\ FAVORITE RECREATION: "Spending time in the country." The family renovated its Floyd farmhouse according to plans Stewart drew up himself. They tried to turn the 8 1/2-acre farm into a Christmas tree operation, but found "there's more to growing trees than planting and selling!"
\ IF YOU HAD 15 MINUTES ON TV WHAT WOULD YOU TALK ABOUT? "Maybe about how people should get their priorities straight. You need to figure out what your needs are and what you should seek out to feel comfortable about yourself. I have spent most of my life doing what I ought to do instead of what I want to do."