Troy officers saw a significant need in the community and developed Operation Blue Sleigh.  This new program will benefit even more Troy families experiencing financial hardship this holiday season.

A Rotary Ambassadorial scholar, Bala has been committed to Rotary for over 30 years. Following his business contracts to DC, Bala was has been on the Board of Directors, International Services, Rotary Foundation and Embassy Relations & Sister-Cities Committee for the Washington DC Rotary (D7620). He has been the past TRF Chairman and member on the Accounting Service Reengineering Team for the DC Rotary. He has recently established the Rotary Yoga and Meditation Fellowship and its Secretary. He is the Membership Director and N. Central USA Vice-President of the Rotary International Travel & Hosting Fellowship. Bala is a member of the RI Alumni Relation Committee Prior to Washington DC Rotary, Bala was a member of the Detroit Rotary (#16, D6400) where he held various club positions. Before Detroit Rotary, Bala served as President of Grand Blanc, MI Rotary (D6330). He has served on various District Committees in both D6330 and D6400, including being the keynote speaker at the D6330 District Conference in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. After the devastating earthquake in Gujrat, India 1993, Bala led and coordinated Rotary International global matching grant to rebuild fallen Gujrat communities, now named after Rotary (Rotary Nagar). During 2001, Bala led a 3-H Grant Initiative and approval to provide low-cost housing shelters in Western India. He has led several Rotary matching grants for supporting schools throughout the world including desks, chairs and blackboards for schools in India and education for school children in Cancun, Mexico.

Awards: Bala has received numerous awards including 1993-94 “The Rotary Foundation District Service Award” in D6330 for his leadership in implementing “Low Cost Housing Shelters” for the survivors of one of the worst earthquakes in W. India. Bala and his wife, Roma are Major Donors Level 3 and plan to become Arch Clump Society Members in 5 years. They are also Level 5 TRF Bequest Society Members.

Bala and his wife Roma, are both now Troy Rotarians.

Jim graduated from Berkley High School in June of 1964, and immediately joined the United States Air Force. By Christmas of 1964 he was on the Island of Okinawa, where he served for 18 months 5 days and 2 hours. This was in the early stages of the Viet Nam War. Upon completion of this assignment he was transferred back to the States and served at Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, California for the remainder of his active duty.

Jim received an Honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force he enrolled at Ferris State College, (with the assistance of the GI Bill). After a year at Ferris he transferred to Eastern Michigan University. At Eastern he met many of his lifelong friends, including his wife of 44 years Michela Ricelli. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University and earning a Master’s Degree in Special Education.  Jim taught in an alternative high school for 5 years.

Jim joined the the business world in 1977 working for a paper and food distributor ( whose claim to fame ) was the world's largest distributor of ice cream cones. After 4 years as a Sales Representative he was promoted to Sales Manager.

In 1983,  Jim joined an Industrial Supply Distributor where he served as a Sales and Marketing Manager for Industrial Supply items. In 1992 Jim became Independent broker for industrial supplies and retail items.

In 1998 he became an account executive for a disposable manufactures representative group and manufacturer .For the past 28 years his primary focus has been presenting these products to distributors and end-user in the Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio markets.

Jim and his wife Michela have 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren.. They reside in Troy Michigan where they very much enjoy their empty-nester status.

Both Jim and Michela are retired and enjoy traveling to Florida every year for 6-8 weeks to avoid the cold winter months of Michigan.