Jim Umberger is running to represent West Virginia’s First Congressional District. Born and raised in Charleston, Jim is a Vietnam Combat Veteran of the United States Army. He earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia State University and a master’s degree in counseling from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies.

Jim built a career providing mental health services in West Virginia. In 1981, he began working at Greenbrier Center, a state institution that provided residential services to people with developmental disabilities along with other psychiatric diagnoses. Eight years later, he was named Hospital Administrator. With his team, Jim provided the residents with vocational, educational, and social skills training until the mid 1990s, when Greenbrier Center was closed by the state. He continued providing mental health services in the private sector, working with children, families, and adults. In 2009, Jim fulfilled a lifelong goal, working with his fellow veterans, providing them with both individual and group counseling.

The skills Jim honed over a lifetime in service will help him bring civility, rational problem solving, and functional, collaborative governance to the state and country he loves. His campaign is guided by the same moral compass that has directed his life’s path; he simply cares too much to do nothing.

Over the years, Jim has served on the boards of several organizations: Southeastern Regional Workshop (now Gateway Industries), Friends of the Greenbrier Center, Carnegie Hall Foundation, Carnegie Hall, Inc., and the American Red Cross (both county and state levels). He sat on the Greenbrier County Planning Commission for six years. Currently, Jim serves as the treasurer of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of the 11th Judicial District of WV.

Jim and his wife, Sarah, have two sons, Sam and Charlie, and four grandchildren. In his free time, Jim enjoys gardening, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family and friends.