Jim McClung ’59 Receives Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan
WOOSTER, Ohio – Jim McClung ’59, a College of Wooster alumnus and emeritus member of the College’s Board of Trustees, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, the second-highest honor from the Japanese government. He is one of 117 foreign recipients of the 2020 Spring Decoration, which is conferred by the Emperor of Japan.
McClung was recognized “for his outstanding contribution to the Japan-U.S. relationship.” As director of the Japan America Society of Chicago for more than 30 years, McClung helped “to strengthen the bilateral relationship and to promote mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. With his abundant business experience and through strong relationships with various business communities, Mr. McClung has supported the stable operations of the organization,” according to a press release from the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago.
Dave Johnson, president of the Japan America Society of Chicago, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary, noted “this is an incredible honor and very well-deserved based on Jim’s steadfast support of the (Society) and his work in developing and improving the personal and business relationships between many Japanese and Americans in Illinois.”
McClung, who says his highly-successful “international business career started at Wooster,” worked at FMC Corporation, a multinational chemical, machinery, and defense manufacturer for 32 years, holding various senior level management positions, including vice president and executive officer of international operations. He operated businesses in more than 75 countries, living in Africa and Europe for eight years, and built revenues exceeding $2.5 billion in sales.
Since 2001, McClung has served as chairman and CEO of Lismore International, a consulting firm that provides service in the areas of sales plans, marketing opportunities, custom advisory boards, mergers, and acquisitions.
In addition to his work with the Japan America Society of Chicago and Wooster’s Board of Trustees, McClung also has been active with the Economic Club of Chicago, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and other civic and cultural organizations.
One of Wooster’s Distinguished Alumni Award winners (2014), McClung takes pride in his latest recognition, calling it “a wonderful and long-lasting honor … and a very personally-gratifying award indeed.”
Posted in News on May 15, 2020.
