Lieutenant Colonel
Distinguished Flying Cross
LTC Jimmy Norris is a native of Searcy, Arkansas and graduated Searcy High School in 1965. He Earned a B.S. in Business Administration, and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army at Arkansas State University in 1969. LTC Norris received a MBA in Management with honors from Syracuse University in 1981.
LTC Norris' career includes more than 22 years as an active duty Army officer. He served in various assignments altemating between Pilot and Commander of medical evacuation helicopter units and medical resource management positions. LTC Norris military duties began as a Medical Evacuation Pilot with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the Republic of Vietnam where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. On 28 January 1971, while on an urgent medical evacuation mission, then lLT Norris' aircraft received damage from intense enemy fire. Despite the heavy volume of enemy fire 1LT Norris, with complete disregard of his own safety, made several attempts to extract the injured man. His outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Services and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
LTC Norris' other awards include Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medal (3), Air Medal (10), Afr Medal w/Valor Device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, RVN Campaign Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Army Staff Badge.
LTC Norris has 40 years combined government experience in increasingly demanding positions at various organizational levels within the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). LTC Norris served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Veterans Benefits Administration managing $55 billion budgets as well as all financing and accounting functions, Chief Financial Officer of Veterans Health Administration, and served in several health program and budget assignments within the Secretary of Defense and Department of the Army.
LTC Norris retired from Federal Government Service in 2011. He now serves in Grant Thornton's Global Sector providing consulting services to Dept. of Veterans Affairs and Dept. of Defense Military Health Service. LTC Norris and his wife Marilyn have three children.
