Time period/Baraboo: 1953-present
Submitted by: Shirley and Audrey Kieffer

Jim Kieffer has been a Baraboo community leader for many years, beginning with his outstanding leadership and musicianship award from the Baraboo High School Band in 1962. An active volunteer, he has been a board member of most of the services organizations of Baraboo, including the AL. Ringling Theatre Friends, Baraboo Jaycees, Big Brother Program, Kids Ranch, Baraboo School Board, St. Clare Hospital, Circus World Museum Foundation, Circus World Museum, Inc. and First Methodist Church. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Friends of the University of Wisconsin-Sauk County/Baraboo campus.

Jim volunteers his services not for recognition, but to give back to his community. He never hesitates to take on a leadership role and can be relied upon to follow through on whatever he does. He has received both the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award and the Al Dipple Community Service Award.

In addition to his volunteer work, Jim is an accomplished singer and has been a member of a gospel singing group, The Messengers, since it was formed in 1984. He also has served as the account and president of the family business, Industrial Coils, which played an important role in the industrial development of out community. Jim’s outstanding, dedicated volunteer and business leadership has been and continues to be a strong thread in the community fabric of Baraboo.