*\MHO'S WHON'

cfas. B. Overcast

One of the best kuorvn and liked executives in the hardwood lumber business in Northern California is the subject of this article, James Burton (Jim) Overcast, sales manager of the Strable Hardu'ood Company, Oakland.

Jim was born 32 years ago in Greenville, Alabama, andhere is one for Mr. Ripley-he is a veteran of.22 years' exPerience in the hardwood business, having made his start as a rvater boy at the age of 10 lvith the Richard P. Baer Hardwood Company, at Magazine Point, near Mobile, Alabama, where his father, James Harry Overcast, was superintendent of the large lumber yards' He worked there Saturdays and summer vacations ttntil he finished school.

He attended the public schools in Mobile and graduated trom Barton Academy in 1923, and supplemented this education by special training and courses in salesmanship, creclit management, forestry, psychology and philosophy'

In 1924 he became southern hardwood lumber inspector, and worked for three years with the Lucas E,. Moore Company of Mobile. He came to California on a visit in 1928 and liked it so r.vell that he decided to remain permanently. He started to work for the Strable Hardwood Company in 1928, and having a sales position as his ultimate objective, he learned all the details of the operation of a diversified hardrvood lumber busiuess from the ground up. As a result of his earnest application to the job he was made sales manager in 1932 and still holds this position. In giving these details to the representative of this paper Jim expressed his appreciation of his good fortune in having worked with Bert E. Bryan, general manager of the company, who has been a great inspiration to him during the 10 years he has been associated with this concern.

Mr. Overcast is single. He lives in Oakland rvith his mother and three sisters. His father recently returned to the Southland, where he is still engaged in the hardwood business.

He says his sincere desire isthat the lumber industry will awaken to the need of a greater knorvledge of its products, more intelligent sales methods, and, most important of all, an improvement irr the service clue toits customers.

He is a member of the Oaklancl Junior Charnber of Commerce, and is at present rvorking on the program of the national convention of Junior Chambers of Commerce to be held in Oakland in June.

He is president of the Executives' Association of Oakland, a director of East Bay Hoo Hoo Club No. 39, and a member of the Oakland Theatre Guild.