Jim Simon joined Columbus, Ohio-based Battelle Memorial Institute, a $6.5 billion charitable trust that is the world’s leading independent R&D organization, as Vice President of Corporate Communications in 2009. He now serves as a consultant to corporations and not-for-profit organizations in Ohio, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Previously, Jim served five years as Vice President – Corporate Communications for Nationwide Insurance, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, OH. Supervising a staff of corporate and business unit communicators totaling over 100, he provided strategic, “One Voice” counsel on many issues to senior management. He also formed and oversaw Nationwide’s first communications council, started up the company’s marketing communications unit, and chaired the Communications Committee of the Insurance Information Institute, the primary trade organization for property and casualty insurance companies. His strong focus on media relations helped catapult Nationwide to a top two position among all insurance companies nationally as measured by Biz 360, and his department won numerous public relations awards.
Earlier, Jim served two years as president of HMS Partners, the public relations unit of Columbus-based Ten United (now Engauge Marketing), a $25 million integrated marketing services company. In addition to supervising administrative operations, Jim served as strategic counsel to major clients including Limited Brands, Huntington Bank and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
With over 30 years of diversified experience in all areas of communications as well as investor relations, Jim has held the top communications post at Cardinal Health, KPMG, NatWest Bank (U.S.), First Interstate Bancorp and Terra Industries. He earlier held management positions at Allied Signal (now Honeywell), TRW, and Paul Werth Associates. He began his career at the State of Ohio and worked in media relations for the Auditor of State.
The author of articles on numerous subjects for U.S. newspapers, magazines and trade journals, Jim also guest lectures at various public relations forums and at U.S. undergraduate and graduate business schools. His present and past professional memberships include the Institute for Public Relations (Board of Trustees and a committee chair), Arthur W. Page Society, Wisemen, (PR) Seminar, National Investor Relations Institute and PRSA.
A native of Philadelphia, Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Denison University. He and his family live in Columbus and Los Angeles.