Jim Miller and Dwayne Ibsen
Editor's Note: Pam Markel, immediate past president of the NCA, is contributing a column to NCA Today that highlights the activities of retired -- or in this case, not retired, but former -- members. In this edition, she describes the post-NCA endeavors of Jim Miller.
Jim Miller was an NCA member in the 1990s and 2000s, served as an NCA board director, and with his wife, Elaine Watkins-Miller, as publications director and Costumer editor. They sold Center Stage in Cedar Rapids, IA in 2005 and moved to West Des Moines in 2006.
Over the past 20 years, Jim has served as executive director of nonprofits in Iowa and Illinois, primarily focused on Main Street and downtown districts, arts and culture. He currently serves as Chief Development Officer for Horizons, a Cedar Rapids-based nonprofit that provides Meals on Wheels, neighborhood transportation, financial wellness and community development.
Jim still keeps his fingers and toes involved in the performing arts, serving on the executive board of two theatre companies, as well as working with underserved students and youth in the arts. He still loves good theatre and great costumes, but he's out of practice and not quite ready to do a show again. You usually will find him at Ibsen Costume Gallery in Omaha for his Halloween weekend shift, running a register, selling fun stuff and maybe helping pack up a show.
And he still loves Dairy Queen and Dolly Parton.
Jim was also on the History committee for the National Costumers Association 100th birthday party in Indianapolis, Indiana. He presented the first 25 years of the organization's history for Dwayne Ibsen, who could not attend.