About James

A Journey Through Leadership, Dedication, and Service

Family Background

Born in Akron,1965; Married Lisa Thurn, 1990; Children: Connor and Ethan

Lisa with her Family at Her Bath Township Home in the 1970s
Lisa, Connor, and Ethan Help Promote James to Lieutenant Colonel 2005
The McClellan's Bath Township 2024

Education

1984   Graduated Firestone High School, Akron, Ohio.

1988   Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business, Bowling Green State University, Ohio.

1997   Master of Science Degree, International Relations, Troy State University, Alabama.

2002   Master of Science Degree, Military Operational Art, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

2008   Advanced Program in Logistics & Technology, Institute for Defense and Business Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of                          North Carolina, North Carolina.

2008   Supply Chain Leadership and Management, Executive Programs and Center for Supply Chain Research, Smeal College of Business,                  Penn State University, Pennsylvania.

2010   Master of Science Degree, Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

2021   Municipal Planning and Zoning, City and Regional Planning Program, The Ohio State University, Ohio.

2022   Graduate Certificate Military to Civilian Leadership, John Glenn College of Administration, The Ohio State University, Ohio.

2023   Leadership Akron NEXT Class 12, Akron, Ohio.

James McClellan's High School Picture 1984
James with his classmates at Air War College 2009
James and Lisa with their Leadership Akron NEXT 12 Classmates 2023

Community Service in Bath Township and Summit County

  • President, Discover Bath Barns Committee

  • Vice-President, Bath Business Association

  • Vice-President, Military Officer Association of America/Ohio Western Reserve Chapter

  • Board Member, Bath Community Fund Advisory Board

  • Director, Summit County Historical Society Board of Directors

  • Committee Member, Heritage Corridors of Bath Committee 

  • Committee Member, Bath Township Memorial Day Committee

  • Member, Bath Township Comprehensive Plan Committee

  • Adult Leader, Scouting America BSA Troop 385 and Cub Pack 3385

  • Member, The Bath Church, United Church of Christ, Missions and Social Concerns Activity

  • Member of Bath-Richfield Kiwanis, National Eagle Scout Association, AMVETs, and VFW

  • Volunteer: Music at Bath Concert Series, Bath Pony Club, and Bath Township Project Pride
James and Lisa Volunteer at Music at Bath Concert Series 2025
Discover Bath Barns 2023
James and the Bath Township members of the OWRC of MOAA 2024

Accomplishments

  • Representative for Ohio’s Military Officer Association of America Advocacy in Action in Washington DC (2024)
  • Architectural Heritage Award for Outreach and Education from Progress through Preservation of Akron Ohio and The Summit County Historical Society (2024)
  • Promoted to Colonel, USAF (2010)
  • Presidential Award for Leadership in Energy Management (2008)
  • Col Cynthia Bonulis Award Winner, Air Combat Command’s Field Grade Officer of the Year (2005)
  • Awarded Bronze Star Medal for Deployment to Iraq in support of Operational Iraq Freedom (2005)
  • Team Captain High School Cross Country Team (1983)
  • Eagle Scout (1983)
Guest Speaker at Revere High School Veterans Day Event, November 2024
James Receiving Presidential Award for Leadership in Energy Management 2008
James Receiving the Architectural Heritage Award for Discover Bath Barns 2024

Military Service

I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Detachment at Bowling Green State University. My initial assignment was to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware—marking the beginning of a distinguished career that spanned sixteen assignments. Over the course of my service, I held leadership roles commanding teams ranging in size from six personnel to over 1,600, with postings across the United States at installations in Virginia, Florida, Texas, Alabama, New Mexico, and Idaho, as well as overseas in England, South Korea, and Qatar. Additionally, I deployed to operational locations in Türkiye, the Republic of Georgia, Morocco, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, and several other strategic regions.

James Ready for an F-15E Orientation Flight 1995
James Providing an Update to Senior Leaders in Iraqi 2005
James Leading a Formation of Airmen Idaho 2012
“Over the course of my career, I’ve learned that trust is not a product of tenure—it’s the result of consistent service. From military leadership to civic engagement in Bath Township and Summit County, I’ve earned the trust of our community through action, integrity, and a commitment to shared values.”

Trusted Leader

Born and raised locally, I honorably served in the USAF for 32 years. I successfully led small and large teams, overseas, in combat, and at home. Now, I’m focused on preserving Bath Township’s deep-rooted community values by taking on leadership roles in organizations like the Bath Community Fund and Bath Business Association.

Community Preservation and Engagement

I have a keen sense of Stewardship and Preservation — I created the successful Discover Bath Barns Committee with the purpose of preserving our unique rural character, promoting our community values, and fostering citizen participation in community affairs.

Sound Fiscal Management

I am dedicated to supporting initiatives that deliver high quality, cost effective Public Service while upholding principles of Sound, Transparent Fiscal Management . As a member of the township’s recent Comprehensive Plan Committee, it was clear a focus in these areas is foundational to the success of our land management plan and zoning process.

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