Bio
James Beckham is an author, columnist, entrepreneur, educator, community volunteer, professional musician and philanthropist.
His articles have appeared in numerous periodicals including American Way Magazine (American Airlines inflight magazine), Commercial Integrator, S&VC Magazine, Systems Contractor News, The Church Musician, The Instrumentalist and Architech Magazine. For six years, James had his own column, The Business of Business, in S&VC.
As an entrepreneur, James has operated successful commercial electronics, retail and real estate businesses for over four decades. He and his wife, Pam, operate their two ranches in eastern New Mexico. James is also an angel investor sharing his time and expertise with startups firms.
James’ accomplishments in the commercial electronics industry were recognized in 2016 when he was awarded the NSCA Lifetime Achievement Award and named to the AVNetwork/SCN Magazine Hall of Fame. That same year he was also given the Small Business Achievement Award by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS). CNS operates nuclear weapons plants in Amarillo, Texas and Oakridge, Tennessee for the US Department of Energy.
James has been a board member of an international trade association and several fine arts organizations. He currently serves on the boards of a visual arts foundation and a multi-state music festival. James is active in his church and denominational work.
He has taught numerous classes in sales and marketing at the NSCA Expo and facilitated many discussion groups and break-out sessions.
As a professional percussionist, James has performed with the Amarillo Symphony for forty years and played with other semi-professional orchestras across the US. He has also played professionally with name artists like Tony Bennett and Glen Campbell and groups like The Moody Blues and The Ice Capades. He plays percussion each Sunday for two live broadcast services at his church. For 8 years, James was a university professor teaching percussion, band and upper-level music theory and composition in Michigan, Utah and Texas. James’ vocal and instrumental music arrangements are published by Broadman Press.
James is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Masters degree in Theory/Composition. He studied computer programming on a post graduate basis.