An Attitude of Gratitude ~ Meet Jim Justice
Jim Justice, sometimes called Big Jim stands 6-foot-7 and weighs …. well lets just say he is trying to lose weight! He is a 59-year-old billionaire, one of the wealthiest people in America, a West Virginia native who makes his money from corn, timber and coal.
When you see Jim Justice he is an enormous down to earth person, and loves West Virginia. He is owner and proprietor of The Greenbrier resort, in White Sulphur Springs. Jim Justice knew nothing about running a resort....so why did he buy the Greenbrier?
Justice grew up in nearby Raleigh County and had lived his entire life within 50 miles of the Greenbrier. Everyone new that the Greenbrier, owned by the CSX, was in bad shape and was going into bankruptcy. The Marriott Corporation was in the process of buying the resort. But Jim Justice wanted to help the residents and friends of Greenbrier County.
He says “The Greenbrier has been everything to the this rural area. It employs about 1,850 in a county of 35,000. Everybody has a family member or a friend who works there.”
"You could just see the community drying up," he said. "People's anxiety levels were off the charts." The Greenbrier is part of West Virginia’s history which he calls it “Our Emerald City.”
So, in May 2009, he bought the Greenbrier for $43 million....the vast hotel and spa, four golf courses and 500 upscale home lots. He brought back all 650 laid-off employees. He added vacation and health benefits to their contracts. I have heard Jim Justice say more than once ......”I knew I just couldn’t mess this up, (then smiling) all the employees know where I live.”
The story since then, of how a coal miner returned the legendary Greenbrier to near-profitability in 18 months, with record occupancy rates, a PGA golf tournament and a glitzy casino, is partly a story about daring, financial risk and business vision. But mostly, it's a story about one man and the area of Greenbrier County (known to most as Almost Heaven West Virginia) he calls home.
Jim Justice gives back to the community by....
- creating the Tribute to the Virginias special, with nightly rates of $59. The four weekends, which run through February, sold out in 48 hours in 2010. "I wanted to give people the opportunity to come stay here," says Justice. "I don't want them to think that it's some gated palace."
- He is the president of the local youth baseball league and coach of the girls' basketball team, Lady Spartans at Greenbrier East High School. He had a $300,000 parquet floor installed in the school gym.
- Each Christmas, he donned a custom-made Santa suit and took his helicopter to Crumpler, a town in McDowell County, where he delivered presents to impoverished children.
- A former Boy Scout, Justice recently gave $25 million to the Boy Scouts of America to support the creation of a 10,600 acre land reserve near his home in West Virginia.
And, Jim Justice continues each year with the following charitable initiatives. These events are so much fun and I am able to attend and write about them:
- Greenbrier Christmas Tree Lighting/Toys for Tots Donations
- Community Easter Fun Fest
- The Greenbrier Classic – millions to charities the past two years
- Donations of fresh vegetables from The Greenbrier Farm to local food banks
- Creating a Dream Tree for Kids, donating $1 million of toys and clothes to charities in December.
During the press conference for Creating a Dream Tree for Kids, Justice recalled when he started playing the role of Santa Claus. "I was asked by the minister of a church in Crumpler, WV, located in McDowell County to play Santa. I did not have a Santa suit and probably could not find one to fit me. The minister said he would find one. Since I didn't want a suit with tights or something unsuitable, I had a special Santa suit made for me."
"The night I played Santa, a little girl with pigtails and glasses was walking up to me and I was told that she had brain cancer and would be having surgery in two weeks. She got up on my lap and I asked her name. She said it was Snowflakes and wanted to tell me that she loved me and that I needed to be loved. How great is that! These kids have nothing...so for all the Snowflakes out there.... this tree is for you", said Justice. Since owning the Greenbrier, he continues to play Santa at the Greenbrier Christmas Tree Lighting/Toy for Tots donations.
Jim Justice was named West Virginian of the Year by the Gazette in 2009. West Virginia Universtiy named him Most Loyal West Virginian. He’s been recognized by Rotary clubs, the Education Alliance, Multiple Sclerosis Society, just to name a few.
The Greenbrier went from being owned by a big corporation for 100 years to being owned by one guy, and it's not just any guy; it's local guy makes good...... Jim Justice....A man with attitude of gratitude... A big man with a big heart that gives back to the community and does not hesitate to help when called upon.
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Your West Virginia Connection - If I can assist you in any way with your real estate needs in Lewisburg, WV Greenbrier County or the surrounding areas, please feel free to contact me by phone at (304) 520-2133, email or visit my website.
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Your Real Estate Connection for Lewisburg, WV and the Greenbrier County
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If I can assist you in any way with your real estate needs in Lewisburg, WV Greenbrier County or the surrounding areas, please feel free to contact me by phone at (304) 520-2133, email or visit my website at www.lewisburgwvrealestate4you.com
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