Jim McClure

Jim assists in the planning, development, coordination, and monitoring of online and physical exhibits. He works with both CHM staff and outside contractors to efficiently realize the Museum's goal of presenting world-class exhibitions and resource materials. Jim also participates in exhibit-content and photo research, content authoring and editing, and collection management.

Jim is a Registered Civil Engineer, with a Ph.D. in Civil/Geological Engineering from UC-Berkeley. He spent 30 years in consulting engineering, largely devoted to the investigation and cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination. He has been an expert witness and represented clients to the public, the press, and legislators.

Jim regularly presented complex technical material to diverse audiences, and he has addressed environmental-justice issues in minority and economically challenged communities.

A passion for informal education led Jim to campaign for improved library services in nearby Alameda County, where he lives. This led to an appointment to the Alameda County Library Advisory Commission. Jim now is serving his fourth term as a Commissioner and chairs this county-wide Commission.

When Jim decided to make a full-time commitment to informal education, he earned a Masters Degree in Museum Studies, with an emphasis on exhibition design and education. He is a member of several professional groups, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Association of Museums, the Association of Groundwater Scientists and Engineers, the Society for the History of Technology, and the Association for Computing Machinery.