Biography
Jim grew up in Tooele, Utah, and served in the Canada Calgary Mission. He attended Utah State University and earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering. Jim worked for Utah Department of Transportation for six years before taking a position as the Director of Engineering for Tooele County. He attended Texas A&M University where he earned a master of science and a PhD in civil engineering, studying aging in asphalt pavements. Jim came to BYU-Idaho in 2012 when he came to help start the Civil Engineering program. He has loved his time here and thoroughly enjoys working with the students.
Jim is married to Melinda Small Lawrence, and they have four sons and a daughter-in-law. He currently serves as the elders quorum president and hopes to someday serve in the Primary. In his spare time, Jim enjoys fly fishing, hiking, backpacking, and spending time outdoors. In the winter, however, he only enjoys the outdoors when he’s plowing the driveways in his neighborhood on his four-wheeler.