Q&A with Board Member Jim Joedecke

We started a new series featuring a Q&A session with our board members. We hope you enjoy learning more about one of our newest members, Jim Joedecke.

CFNEG: What’s your hometown?  

Jim: Katonah, New York. I attended Emory University after graduating from high school in 1989 and then University of Georgia Law School after that and have resided in Georgia ever since.

CFNEG: What do you enjoy the most about your career?  

Jim: That’s a tough one.  First and foremost, the relationships I’ve made over the years, especially with long-term clients I’ve watched grow.  I have several clients that I’ve had as clients for almost twenty years.  I enjoy trying to help them solve problems on a daily basis, both after a lawsuit is filed and oftentimes, to avoid legal problems before they arise.  I also love to write and advocate for my clients, whether in legal briefs or in a courtroom.  It can be a rush.

CFNEG: Why is being involved in the community important to you?  

Jim: I’ve been blessed in so many ways and feel it is only right to give back.  I grew up in a wonderful family and saw my father’s involvement in the community.  I then had the good fortune to find myself at Andersen, Tate & Carr.  I’ve watched the Andersens and my partners at the firm work to make our community a better place.  I want to follow those examples and also want to be a good example to my own children.  I’ve been so blessed to be a part of this community, I guess it never even occurred to me to do anything different.  Furthermore, in a community such as Gwinnett County, you can truly see how your time and treasure can affect lives and make an impact.  

CFNEG: What do you hope to accomplish as a board member and member of the Professional Advisors Network leadership team?  

Jim: I want to work with Randy and the Community Foundation Leadership to change the world.  I want to see the Community Foundation’s coffers and network grow so that when a need or problem in the community is identified, it can be solved.  This doesn’t just mean with money, but with smart and creative ideas generated by smart people.  That doesn’t happen by accident.  I think the Community Foundation is uniquely positioned to solve problems.   It is not limited to look at anything in one way, but can help bring, public, private and an array of nonprofits together.  This is what excites me most about serving on the board of the Community Foundation.

CFNEG: Why should people give through the Community Foundation?  

Jim: There are too many reasons to list here.  Over the years, Stephanie and I have supported a wide variety of local, national and even international charities.  With the Community Foundation, monies invested with them continues to grow, giving us more money to give to the causes that we feel strongly about.  It is easy to keep track of our contributions.  On top of that, we gain access to information about organizations that are doing great things that we may not even know about.  Giving through the Community Foundation really makes me feel like I’ve done all I can to make sure my donations are having the greatest impact they can.

CFNEG: What are your hobbies/interests?

Jim: I am a past president of the Braselton Rotary Club and currently serve on the Winder YMCA Board.  My hobbies and interests are mainly trying to keep up with my three children.  I also have a small vintage car collection.   Steph and I went out to the Rose Bowl to cheer on the Dawgs – great trip.

CFNEG: Tell us a little bit about your family.

Jim: My parents are coming up on their 50th wedding anniversary.  I was the oldest of four children.  I have a wonderful wife, Stephanie, and three beautiful children, Elizabeth (5), Jimmy (4) and Carmela (2.5)  My wife is an accomplished mother and real estate agent with Sun Realty.  Back when Randy was still at the American Cancer Society, he talked Stephanie and I into chairing the Cancer Society Gala for two straight years.

CFNEG: What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Jim: I keep a journal.  My job can be hectic and very adversarial.  I find it relaxes me and reminds me what is important.  Someday I’ll turn it into my autobiography.