CAMDEN — Special to the Camden News
The 96th Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet will be held tonight Thursday, January 16th at 6 pm at the Camden Fairview High School Gymnasium. The guest speaker will be Mr. James Thrower. Mr. Thrower is a graduate of Lincoln High School and in the 1970s, he played professional football as a defensive back for the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles.
For the past 30 years, James F. Thrower (“Jim”) has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Jamjomar, Inc., the operating company for several McDonald’s restaurants in Detroit, Michigan, New Orleans, Louisiana and their respective surrounding metropolitan areas. His entire life has been about serving others. Taking notes from his father, a former mechanic and gas station owner, and his mother, a snack shop owner, at an early age he understood the value of entrepreneurship and the importance giving back to his community. Before Jim became a McDonald’s franchisee, he held many different roles. He served as loan executive and executive liaison to the board chairman of the NAACP in New York City, then as Director of Community Affairs at Stroh’s Brewery, and finally as Regional Manager of Public Issues and Planning at Michigan Consolidated Gas Company.
In 1989, Jim and his wife, Marla, were blessed to open their first McDonald’s restaurant at the corner of Mack and I-75 in Detroit, Michigan. Since becoming a McDonald’s owner 30 years ago, he has left an indelible mark on both the local and McDonald’s communities. He is extremely proud that all four of his children are McDonald’s owner operators. He has taught them the importance of treating everyone with respect and living a humble and appreciative life. Jim is actively involved in his community and supports numerous charities, such as the Ronald McDonald House Charities, United Negro College Fund, and Horatio Williams Foundation to name a few. He is a Golden Heritage Member of the NAACP and previously served as both chair and co-chair of the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner.
In October 2010, he was inducted into his college hall of fame for excellence in track and field, basketball and football. He was also the recipient of the most prestigious award for McDonald’s franchisees, the Ronald Award. In March 2019, Jim was named the National Urban League’s Distinguished Warrior Honoree. In 2017, Jamjomar was presented the Business of the Year Award by the Michigan Chronicle at their annual Legacy in Motion Newsmaker’s Gala. He was also awarded the Michigan Chronicle’s Men of Excellence Award and the Brown Bomber Jacket Award – an award that commemorates Joe Louis’s knockout of Max Schmeling and celebrates individuals who have made a positive impact on the life of young people in the community.
He has been a member of Oak Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church for over 30 years and currently serves as a steward. He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His formula for success in life is simple – “Give God the glory and He will bless you with an ultimate support system - family.”
Tickets are $35 per person. The Banquet is open to the public. Contact the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-836-6426 or [email protected] to purchase tickets.