Jim was a very involved undergraduate, -serving as the VP of the business club in 1967 and holding the position of Dorm VP in Fall of 1967. When it came to Pi Kappa Alpha, he was initiated in Fall 1967 and did not hesitate to get involved. He was the Rush Chairman in 1969, Parliamentarian 1967-1970 and was on the Planning Committee in 1968. Graduated with a BBA in Spring of 1966. He was immediately drafted in the US Army in June 1970 and spent two years in various opportunities
With assistance of the GI Bill, Brother Kramer earned an MBA degree at Angelo State University in 1977. After his stint with the US Army Brother Kramer worked in an international capacity at Mitsubishi Aircraft International as the Director of Marketing Support/ Public Relations. He later worked for Johnson & Johnson for 28 years. His last position was in Pharmaceuticals as Senior Director of Engineering in New Jersey. His longest tenure job within Johnson & Johnson was within the Medical Instruments manufacturing as Plant Manager in Albuquerque, NM. As the plant manager for one of the largest JJ facilities he was recognized as having the most outstanding operations and used the facility as a model of manufacturing facilities within the J&J families as well as other non J&J identities. He retired from J&J several years in 2004 and helped start a company, Diabetic Solutions, that dealt with the diabetic foot and problems associated with the disease.
While holding different company positions, Jim received many awards, exemplifying his hard work ethic. Jim developed the biggest irradiation sterilization facility for products in NM which allowed other J&J companies to send products to NM to be properly sterilized. He participated on the Governor of NM’s business advisory committee and worked with both US Senators to assist with business operations in NM. In 1998 he received Outstanding Employee of the year Johnson & Johnson Ethicon Endo Surgery. He was recognized as a mentor to other plant managers within J&J 1997 and was recognized as the Top J&J plant by the J&J Board of Directors.
Kramer is also very active with his community by serving as the State of New Mexico Saving Bond Chairperson in 1998. He was also on the Advisory Boards of St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, Presbyterian Hospital Foundation, and Lovelace Hospital Foundation. Brother Kramer served on the Board of Healthcare for Homeless, C of C team to assist other businesses in NM, the United Way board and received Outstanding Business in Albuquerque 1998. He also participated in assisting the Navajo Nation in their education program for their families.
Brother Kramer has remained active with the schools he attended by holding a position on the ASU Alumni Board 1982-1984, on the TSU Alumni Board 2007-09, and on the McCoy School of Business Advisory Board 2006-2012. He has also remained involved with Pi Kappa Alpha as he was a part of the Pike Alumni Committee 2006-2008.
Jim and Dorothy have 3 children, Shannon Sevier 38, Katrina Busick 35, and Kameron Kramer 32. Shannon is a Chemical Engineer, is married to Jeremy and they have a daughter named Veronica. Katrina earned a BSRN (Bachelor of Science in Registered Nursing), is married to Nick and they have 3 daughters named Kayla, Haley and Zoey. Kameron is a Chemical Engineer and an Attorney, and is married to Heba and live in Albuquerque, NM
“Zeta-Theta and Pi Kappa Alpha mean long lasting friendships and personal support for the future. Being involved in this brotherhood created bases for personal development, which provided me with tools necessary to interact with all different types of leaders, employees and with the community.”