Background

Although Jim didn’t grow up on a farm, his entire career has been devoted to farmers and food system companies. He is driven each day to provide CMA clients with the strategic counsel and solutions they need to build mutually beneficial relationships with audiences important to them.

A native Hoosier, Jim’s career started at Countrymark Co-op, where he helped develop, implement and measure communications programs for the farmer-owned cooperative’s supply divisions. He also handled overall corporate communications. His 10 years at Countrymark gave him a deep appreciation for farmers and the important work they do each day. After Countrymark, he moved on to Fleishman-Hillard Kansas City, which was then the hub of the agency’s food system practice. After seven years at FH, he co-founded an independent communications firm. That’s when he met Charlie and they linked together to pursue meaningful food system public relations projects. Jim ditched his “independent” label three years later and joined CMA full time in 2008.

Jim’s expertise includes issues management, crisis preparedness and response, media relations, and consumer trust building. He has managed almost every type of communications program, from launching new companies and products to developing crisis management plans to media training of senior executives. He also has a great deal of crisis management experience, including guiding companies through major product recalls and handling situations that had the potential to severely damage the company’s reputation.

He earned a BS degree in journalism from Ball State University, along with an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Jim knows his way around a Word document and an Excel spreadsheet.

Meet Jim

What do you do for fun?

I love to run. I have completed 2 full marathons, and countless half-marathons. I have a great running group here in KC. Recently bought a bike too (Trek) and am ramping up my miles on it as well.

Family?

I’ve been happily married to my wife Laurie (another Ball State grad) for more than 20 years. We have two teenage daughters (Eimile and Meghan), and a son (Christopher).

Favorite quote?

“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.”
-Winston Churchill

Connect with Jim

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jim-fallon/2b/3b8/8b6
Connect with Jim on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimfallon

Contact Jim

jimf@cmabuildstrust.com
816-556-3129