CBEfeature
Jim Lemley Lemley ’88, Film Producer, Offers Words of Wisdom to U-Idaho Class of 2013
College of Business and Economics alumnus and independent film producer Jim Lemley added a little razzle-dazzle to the University of Idaho commencement as the 2013 ceremony’s featured speaker. Lemley, a 1988 marketing alumnus and secondgeneration Vandal, called himself a spectacularly mediocre student. While he was never an academic all-star, Lemley also emphasized that GPA does not matter nearly as much as what you actually do after graduation. Lemley went on to produce critically acclaimed films, including “The Diving Bell & The Butterfly” and “Wanted.”
When Lemley was diagnosed with cancer at 29, he decided to overcome his fears that were holding him back and pursue his dream as an independent filmmaker. “You have to live your life understanding that it has a finite amount of time to it,” said Lemley. “You will be challenged; you can’t avoid this I’m sorry to tell you. What you do have some control over is how you react to these situations and what you learn from them and how your struggles make you better.”
“The three things I now know to be true are magic is all around you, life is one giant improvisation and death is a destination we all share,” Lemley said. “The sooner you accept, and more importantly understand, these truths the more fulfilling your life will be.” After graduating from the University of Idaho, Lemley packed up his car and headed to Island Records in New York City, where he worked on a musical documentary and discovered filmmaking. He then worked with Mel Gibson at ICON Productions in London for 11 years, and rose to become the company’s CEO. 36
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Lemley reunited with many of his former CBE classmates during his visit to campus. Pictured here is Jack Heath ’87, president and COO, Washington Trust Bank; Tom Thoreson ’88, Director, Real Estate Development, 24 Hour Fitness; Jim Lemley ’88; Grant Peterson, president and CEO, Bronco Motors; and Michael Fery ’87, President and CEO, Rocky Mountain Management and Development.