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Jim Nicholson (u.s. Politician)




Robert James "Jim" Nicholson (born press release from the Zenit News Agency , 1938 ) is an Attorney , Real Estate Developer , and more recently, a former Republican Party chairman and recent Political Appointee . He has been the United States Secretary Of Veterans Affairs since January 26 , 2005 .


POLITICAL CAREER

Nicholson has never held elected office, but has long been active in the Republican Party. In January 1986, he was elected committeeman from '' article for GOP national chairman in January 1997 . He served in that role through the 2000 Presidential Election .

Between 2001 and his appointment as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, he served as United States Ambassador To The Holy See .


LEGAL AND BUSINESS CAREER

Before becoming active in civilian government service, he practiced law in Denver, Colorado , specializing in Real Estate , municipal finance and Zoning Law . In 1978 he founded Nicholson Enterprises, Inc., a developer of planned residential communities, and in 1987 he bought Renaissance Homes , which became an award-winning builder of quality custom homes.


MILITARY SERVICE

He is a 1961 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and served eight years in active duty. He was a Paratrooper and Ranger -qualified Army officer. He fought in the Vietnam War , where he earned the Bronze Star Medal , Combat Infantryman Badge , the Meritorious Service Medal , Republic Of Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry and two Air Medal s.

After thirty years of military service he retired in 1991 with the rank of Colonel .


PERSONAL LIFE

Nicholson was born on a farm near Struble, Iowa . Nicholson has characterized his childhood as "growing up dirt poor in a tenant house without plumbing and sometimes without food".

Nicholson has a .

Nicholson is married to the former Suzanne Marie Ferrell of Highland Falls, New York , who is an accomplished artist. They are the parents of three adult children.


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  Title United States Secretary Of Veterans Affairs
  Before Anthony Principi
  Start 2005


  Title Presidential Line Of Succession
  Before Margaret Spellings
  After ''(none)''
  Years