Vice President of the Michigan Broadband Development Authority
James W. Butler III was appointed by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm as Vice President of the Michigan Broadband Development Authority in February 2003. The Authority, created by Public Acts 49 of 2002, offers low-cost loans to telecommunications companies willing to make investments in high-speed internet, and to organizations to acquire hardware/software applications that improve or increase broadband service.
Butler, of East Lansing, has 30 years of experience with IBM. As Business Unit Executive for Global Government Systems, he recently oversaw a $200 million operation for IBM in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. Butler is a decorated Vietnam War veteran. He served as a Platoon Sergeant in the U.S. Army and earned many hours during his tour of duty, including Combat Infantry Badge, Army Accommodation Badge, Purple Heart (2) and the Bronze (4) with Oak Leak Clusters for heroism in ground combat.
He has received numerous community and business awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Downtown Revitalization, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Minority
Business Advocate of the Year, two awards for YMCA “Y” Achievers Program Achiever of the Year, the Mayor’s World Class Corporate Award, the Rev. Joseph E. Graves NAACP Presidents Award, the Alma G. Stallworth Award from the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan, the National Society of Black Engineers at Michigan State award, the Martin Luther King Commission Partnership Award, and the Boy Scout Distinguished Citizen Award.
James has been very active in many organizations including Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Board of Directors), Junior Achievement (Board of irector and Member), Michigan Agent Orange (Commissioner), Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (Board of Directors & Chairman of the Board), Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority Commissioner (Mega Board), Sparrow Hospital (Board of Directors), Inroads (Board of Directors), Economic Development Corporation (Board of Directors), MSU Museum (Board of Directors)
