JAMES HERRON l Salt Lake City, UT

A native of Joliet, IL, James has lived in Salt Lake City since 1981. He joined the FRIENDS at its inception in 1988 and participated in the early maintenance-of-way projects, including relocation of the dual-gauge track from Alamosa to Antonito and stabilization of the Cumbres snow shed. Since 1994, he’s been involved with building restorations at many sites along the line, including Chama, Cumbres, Lava pump house and Sublette. He has served on the Board of Directors since 1993 and has served as secretary (1995-1998 & 1999-2001), vice president or vice chairman of the board (2001-2002, 2009-2013) and chairman of the board (2002-2005). While serving as board chair, he initiated efforts towards building the car repair facility in Antonito and also the proposed visitor center in Chama. James holds B.S. Biology degree and M.S. & Ph.D. Microbiology degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He worked as Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Chemistry at University of Utah College of Pharmacy.