When one of our staff members celebrates their one-year anniversary with the Murdock Trust, they receive a Jack Murdock bobble head with the slogan “What would Jack do?” The memento is designed to provide a regular reminder as to our mission and the legacy of our benefactor that we strive to uphold every day.
For more than 30 years, no single person has embodied this sentiment more or done more to reinforce and strengthen the legacy of our benefactor than Jim Martin.
As Chief Investment Officer for the Trust, Jim’s wisdom, leadership and expertise along with that of our Trustees have helped grow our assets from $90 million in 1975 to nearly $1.2 billion. This growth has expanded our ability to serve even more communities, individuals and nonprofits and helps us plan a future of being able to serve the Northwest for generations to come.
Jim has also served as a regular, vocal reminder of the purpose behind our work. Even in passing conversation among team members, Jim helps us remember that our work is to reinforce and fulfil the vision Jack Murdock had to strengthen work in the arts and culture, scientific research, health, human services and education sectors.
“Jim has been such a blessing to our organization in so many ways,” said Steve Moore, executive director for the Murdock Trust. “His impact on the financial health of our organization is immeasurable. But he is much more than a numbers guy. Jim constantly reminds our entire team that we do not work for one another. We are all working to preserve and celebrate the legacy of a great entrepreneur, thinker, philanthropist and community leader. Jim embodies this spirit every day.”
Jim announced his retirement in 2017 and has served as a mentor and guide to Elmer Huh as he has taken on the role of CIO. In his new emeritus position, Jim will continue to advise the Trust from a financial perspective while taking more time to provide counsel and advice to the myriad nonprofits he has supported throughout his career across Oregon and Southwest Washington, as well as continue to oversee his own private investment advisory firm.
Please join us in thanking Jim for his decades of service and his unending commitment to serve the common good!
