Local Big Brother Honored by BBBS, Governor’s Office
Jim Metcalf named “Best Mentor in Texas” for 2007

HOUSTON, TX (April 11, 2007)  Local Big Brother  Jim Metcalf was honored on Saturday, March 31st, 2007 at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston’s “Magic of Mentoring” Gala for his outstanding dedication to mentoring. A representative from Governor Rick Perry’s OneStar Foundation also honored Jim at the Gala by naming him “Best Mentor in Texas” for 2007. This award, designed to recognize excellence in mentoring, was bestowed by OneStar to Jim for the many contributions he has made not only in Shaun’s life, but in support of mentoring in the greater Houston area. 

In the past eleven years, Jim has actively facilitated his company’s increased involvement in mentoring. He sits on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston; he has founded a golf tournament, “Swing for Kids’ Sake,” which has raised more than a million dollars in support of mentoring over the past 8 years; he won Big Brothers Big Sisters “Texas Big Brother of the Year” award in 2006.

Jim’s Little Brother, 18-year-old Shaun Finley, wrote the letter nominating Jim for the “Best Mentor” award. Jim and Shaun were matched in 1996 after Jim saw an ad from Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Jim had previously been encouraged to become a mentor by a friend and after seeing the ad, he felt that he would be a good fit for the program.  Jim contacted Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston and was matched with Shaun.  Jim and Shaun now represent one of the organization’s longest continuing matches.

In his letter’s opening, Shaun states, “As I reflect back over the past 10 years, I have to wonder what my life would be like if Jim wouldn’t have been part of it.”  He goes on to call Jim the “driving force” behind his success in school, his guide in deciding on a college, and his inspiration for staying in baseball after a series of major operations.

Shaun and Jim’s families have also become close sharing holidays and vacations together.  Jim says that his children grew up with Shaun and that they now spend nearly as much time talking with him as he does.

Despite Jim’s busy schedule as vice-president of drilling for Newfield Exploration (an oil and natural gas exploration company), he has continued to remain active in Shaun’s life as well as in his contributions toward mentoring.  Jim believes that anyone who takes the time to be a mentor will see the value in it.  “After you’ve been a part of it and see how it can make a difference, it impacts you.”

Jim says that he has watched Shaun grow from a quiet and introverted child to a confident and intelligent young man. 

Shaun says of Jim, “As I reflect back, I don’t know what my life would be without Jim… I’m so glad that I don’t have to know.”

Jim lives in The Woodlands with his wife Barbara and two children Brittany and James.  He remains involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston as a member of their board, and will continue his role as co-chair of the “Swing For Kids’ Sake” golf tournament this year.

Shaun is currently a senior at Oak Ridge High School in Conroe.  He is preparing for college next fall and looks forward to becoming a Big Brother himself in the future.