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“Once a Marine, always a Marine,” exclaims Jim Herrington ’69, who credits his success to his experience as a company grade officer in the service and his Salem State education.
“The opportunity and privilege of having served is the single most important event in my life. Had I not joined the Marine Corps or graduated from Salem State, I would not have achieved what I have in life.”
Originally from Everett, Jim jokes that he “barely made it to Salem State” and recalls his struggles to get through college. But by his senior year, Jim was on an upward trajectory and ready to cross the finish line.
After graduating with a degree in history and minor in secondary education, Jim joined the United States Marine Corps and began training in Officer Candidate Class (OCC). Initially, his dream was to be an aviator but soon discovered his red-green color blindness would prevent him from attending flight school, so he moved into a role as a ground officer. He recalls the transition from growing up on the streets of Everett to suddenly becoming an officer and a gentleman in the Fleet Marine Force, saying, “Suddenly, I had people depending on me. I was on the fast track to management and OCC taught me about respect and responsibility.”
The Marine Corps was downsizing its presence in Vietnam during Jim’s enlistment, so he was deployed to a float in the Mediterranean. After he completed his service, Jim volunteered to join the Marine Corps Reserves as a weekend warrior and participant in a NATO exercise in West Germany and Denmark.
His degree and military service opened pathways to success as an executive in healthcare sales and marketing – a career that brought him great joy and success over the years as he built his legacy and family. His 30+ year career took him from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Ernst and Young to Private Healthcare Systems, Inc. (PHCS), where he engaged in strategic consulting and supported the health insurance industry.
Jim was lovingly married to his late wife Ellen for over 51 years, and they have two daughters and six grandchildren. He is an active member of his Melrose community and until recently served on the board of Tufts Medicine. Jim was also appointed as the chairman of MelroseWakefield Healthcare, a role he held from 2014 to 2021.
Jim proudly supports Salem State, including the Veterans Second Mission Fund. “As a proud veteran, I understand student veterans’ sacrifices and I believe in giving back.”