James S. Welch Jr.
James Stewart Welch Jr.
 | |
|---|---|
| Born | Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | |
| Occupation(s) | Academic, Actor, Retired U.S. Army Officer, Nonprofit Leader |
| Spouse | Lori Vaun Hays |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Service | |
| Rank | Colonel (United States)[1] |
| Awards | |
| Website | www |
James Stewart Welch Jr. is an American academic, actor, retired U.S. Army officer, and nonprofit leader. Throughout his multifaceted career, Welch has provided expertise in military and nonprofit leadership, business strategy, and business ethics. His professional life has spanned academia, military service, acting, and nonprofit governance.
Early Life and Education
[edit]James Welch was born in Columbia, South Carolina. His academic journey is marked by a commitment to lifelong learning, having earned numerous advanced degrees in a variety of fields. He holds a B.A. from the University of South Carolina and an MDiv from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Welch then pursued a J.D. from the University of Kentucky, followed by an MBA from Florida State University and an M.A. in Management from the University of Alabama.[2]
He went on to obtain a DMin from Columbia Theological Seminary. His educational achievements culminated with a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida and an LLM from the London School of Economics and Political Science, with his research focusing on corporate law and financial regulation.[2]
Nonprofit Career
[edit]James Welch has had a distinguished career as a Presbyterian minister and nonprofit leader. He served as pastor in Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations across Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida including historic churches, Long Creek Presbyterian Church in Kings Mountain, North Carolina and MacPherson Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina.[3]
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Welch held leadership positions on numerous committees and boards at the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). His contributions include serving on the Board of Trustees for the Presbyterian Foundation, one of the oldest and largest private foundations in the United States, established in 1799.[4] Welch was also a commissioner to the 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). [5] His book, Life Unlimited, has garnered attention for its insightful exploration of faith and personal development.[6]
Military Career
[edit]James Welch's career in the United States Army Reserve spanned several decades, during which he served in various leadership roles.[7] He retired as a Colonel in 2021, having held positions at The Pentagon and with units such as the 350th Civil Affairs Command, the United States Army Chaplain Center and School, and the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. His final assignment was as a reserve officer in the Office of the Chief of Chaplains (OCCH), serving as Strategic Planner for Future Operations and Reserve Advisor to the Chief of Policy and Government Affairs.[8]
For his service, Welch was awarded the Legion of Merit, one of the United States Army's most prestigious military honors. He also received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device and gold hourglass, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.[9]
Academic Career
[edit]James Welch is currently a faculty member at the Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa having taught previously at Eckerd College.[2] He has taught an array of courses, including Business Law, Strategic Management, Global Business, and Leadership. His expertise in these fields has made him a sought-after speaker and presenter at academic conferences around the world, including the Academy of Legal Studies in Business, the International Leadership Association, and the European Group for Organizational Studies.[10]
Welch's scholarly work has been published in various peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the fields of business strategy, ethics, and leadership. His publications include articles in prestigious journals such as the Journal of Business Strategy, Strategy and Leadership, and the Law and Financial Markets Review. [11] Notable among his published works is a corporate recovery model: Replace, Restructure, Redevelop, and Rebrand, which explores an innovative framework for corporate recovery.[12]
Acting Career
[edit]In recent years, Welch has expanded his career into the world of acting, with a growing portfolio of film and television appearances. His acting credits include roles in both feature films and short films,[13] such as:
- Valentine's Town (2024) – Townsperson (uncredited)
- Summer Camp (2024 film) (2024) – Reunion Camper / Kayaker (uncredited)
- Roommate Regret (2024) – Airport Traveler (uncredited)
- Screaming into the Wind (2024) – Max Giles (Short)
- Danger on Party Island (2024) – Guard (uncredited)
- The Truth About Monsters (2023) – Server
- The Plus One (2023) – Hotel Guest
- Project Baby (2023) – Street Musician (uncredited)
- The Soulmate Search (2023) – Restaurant Patron / Museum Patron (uncredited)
- The Boyfriend Trap (2022) – Bar Patron
- Baked with a Kiss (2022) – Perry Wright
- Vikki (Short) – Guy in Blue Shirt at Bar
- Untitled Pet/Kid Project (2024) – Cop (Post-production)
- DNA Secrets (2024) – Bruno (Post-production)
- Mother Nature and the Doomsday Prepper (2024) – Worker (Post-production)
- Kissing the Sky (2024) – Newscaster (Short, completed)
- The Clock (2024) – Yard Sale Worker (completed)
- Love Unleashed (2024) – Sales Agent (uncredited, post-production)
- Spider & Jessie (2024) – Mourner (post-production)
Personal Life
[edit]James Welch is married and has two children. He currently resides in the Tampa Bay area, where he continues to pursue his diverse professional interests.
Publications
[edit]- Life Unlimited – A book focusing on faith, leadership, and personal development.[6]
- Numerous academic articles on business strategy, ethics, and corporate recovery.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ *Congressional Record*. "Tribute to Colonel James S. Welch, Jr." Volume 162, Issue 51, Senate Section, Article S1676-7, April 6, 2016. Available at: [1](https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-162/issue-51/senate-section/article/S1676-7?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22%5C%22james+s+welch+jr%5C%22%22%7D&s=2&r=1) (accessed December 10, 2024).
- ^ a b c "James S. Welch Jr. Faculty Profile". University of Tampa. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ "Pastor Hears Call of Army Troops". Tampa Bay Times. 2003-04-02. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ "Minutes of the 217th General Assembly (2006), Part I: Journal". Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 2006. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ "Minutes of the 217th General Assembly (2006), Part I: Journal". Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 2006. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "James S. Welch Jr. Launches LIFE UNLIMITED". Broadway World. 2014-11-04. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ "Local Leader James Welch Honored for Community Service". TBN Weekly. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ *Congressional Record*. "Tribute to Colonel James S. Welch, Jr." Volume 162, Issue 51, Senate Section, Article S1676-7, April 6, 2016. Available at: [2](https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-162/issue-51/senate-section/article/S1676-7?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22%5C%22james+s+welch+jr%5C%22%22%7D&s=2&r=1) (accessed December 10, 2024).
- ^ "Chaplain Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel". The Columbia Star. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ "EGOS 2024 Milan: Program". European Group for Organizational Studies. 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "James S. Welch Jr. Profile". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ "Journal of Business Strategy, Volume 40, Issue 2". Emerald Publishing. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ "James S. Welch Jr. - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-12-08.