Jim Burress joined the Society as Finance Director in 1993. He graduated from St. John's College (Annapolis, MD) and received an M.S. in accounting from Georgetown University, graduating first in his class. A Certified Public Accountant, Jim is treasurer and former president of Prevent Child Abuse Rhode Island and treasurer of the Trinity Church Landmark Preservation Fund.  He is on the finance committee of the Newport Historical Society, is a Corporator of BankNewport, and retired from the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church in Newport after fourteen years as Treasurer and Warden. He is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and sings tenor with the Providence Singers, on whose board he also serves.