Jim Reimann

James "Jim" Reimann has lived in Salem for all of his 78 years. Born to Vern and Jenny Reimann, he graduated from North Salem High School in 1958 where he played football, earning first-team all-conference honors as a center. He was also a baseball player for the Vikings. Moving on to Oregon State University, Jim played a year of football – as a 5'10”, 165 pound center on the freshmen team - for the Beavers under College Hall of Fame coach and player Tommy Prothro. Following his year at OSU, Jim moved on to Willamette University for a year.

In 1960, at the age of 19, Jim began a career in real estate that would eventually lead him to be one of the most successful real estate developers in the Salem-Keizer area. Over the course of the past 59 years, Reimann has been involved in real estate investment sales, real estate development, as well as commercial development and lending. Large parts of Salem-Keizer that we now know are the direct result of Jim's influence. His companies have been involved in developing over 3000 lots in the Salem-Keizer and Willamette Valley area, including many apartment complexes and subdivisions. McNary Golf Course and “The Meadows” subdivision in Keizer are two of his more well-known projects.

Throughout his real estate career, Reimann has had the great fortune of outstanding businesses partners – Lee Sjothum (over 40 years), Tim Smith (over 30 years), and son Steve Reimann (over 25 years). Currently Jim is developing with son Steve.

Jim has been honored as Keizer's "First Citizen" and has been inducted into the Linfield College Athletics Hall of Fame as a key supporter for a very successful Wildcat athletic program. He has donated and built fields for Keizer Little League, including one in honor of his father Vern. He has been a significant contributor to Family Building Blocks and donated to a room at the Boys and Girls Club named after his mother-in-law Vera Frey in addition to the Yamhill-Carlton Community Center.

Reimann also helped raise funds (approximately 90%), donated funds, and provided construction management for North Salem High School's turf field. At McNary High School he loaned and again donated funds for that turf field. At OSU Jim provided the rubber flooring for the weight room in the Valley Center and at Linfield he provided funding for their turf field, their track, the surrounding parking lot, and landscaping. He subsequently provided funds for replacement turf at Linfield as well as other projects for the Wildcats.

It's apparent that Jim Reimann is an astute businessman and generous philanthropist. However, what brings him the most pride is his family. Jim has two sisters – his twin Judy Mapes and sister Helen Peterson. He has been married to wife Bev – whom he met at North Salem High School - for 59 years. Jim and Bev have two children – daughter Renee Gilbertson and son Steve, both graduates of McNary High School. Steve subsequently graduated from Linfield in 1997 and played football for the Wildcats 1986 national championship team coached by Ad Rutschman. Steve also was a two-time All-American and is a member of the Linfield Sports Hall of Fame.

Reimann also has four grandchildren – Jordan, Taylor, Tanner, and Tiger.