Jim Steele: A journey with StoryWorth to create a legacy book for his family’s future generations

Jim Steele has been a Rotarian for 53 years, first in Palo Alto and then in Boise. Born and raised in Nampa, Jim is a 1956 graduate of the University of Idaho with a BS in Business.  Following university, he was stationed in Japan for two years as an Air Force pilot and then began a 35-year career with Merrill Lynch. His Merrill trajectory began in Denver, moved to Palo Alto, and then, at his request, Jim was allowed by the company to return to Idaho and open the first Merrill office in Idaho in 1978 starting from scratch. A few of his community activities have included teaching adult education at Denver University, serving on the Palo Alto School Board, chairing the U of I College of Business Advisory Board, lead member of the Advisors Council of the Idaho Supreme Court, the Bogus Basin Recreation Association, and he has been recognized by the Idaho Statesman as a Distinguished Citizen. Jim and his late wife, Jan, traveled extensively visiting 7 continents and over 120 countries.

LISA STEELE

Lisa Steele is the eldest of Jim Steele’s 3 children. She is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a major in Business. While there, she belonged to the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. During her time working in San Francisco in banking and investment management, Lisa took night courses and graduated from Golden Gate University with her MBA, with honors. She has 3 children, all graduates of the University of Idaho. Her two boys, William and Ethan, obtained their degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and her daughter, Olivia, in Civil Engineering. Lisa has had several interesting and demanding jobs and is currently a project manager for St. Lukes Health Systems. She has also served on the boards of several non-profits. Lisa lives in Boise, within a mile of her parents’ home, with her partner, Chris Halvorson, an investment manager for the Idaho State Endowment fund. She was charged by her late mother to “Take care of your father,” which she has done well.