About JWPC

Who is Jim Walter?

Jim Walter was a home grown success story who pioneered affordable manufactured homes for the returning Veterans after World War II. His vision provided affordable housing for families throughout the state and the Southeast Region for over 40 years. When Mr. Walter passed away, his family wanted to continue his legacy of giving back to the community. Manny Rivero, the founding JWPC Executive Director at the University of South Florida, worked closely with the family to help them conceptualize an endowment at USF that would embody the community-based commitment and spirit of the late Jim Walter, and thus the Jim Walter Partnership Center was founded in 2004.

jim walter

Bob Walter, JWPC Advisory Board Chair, mentions that:

"The Jim Walter Partnership Center fulfills the family's vision by encouraging leaders in our community to have the same entrepreneurial spirit that my father embodied. That spirit stands for the proposition that by, teaching people to help themselves and to take advantage of the opportunities available to them; they can begin to better their communities."

In addition, Bob Walter States:

"I support the Center's work because it maintains and continues the legacy of my father by giving back and supporting neighborhood based initiatives that improve the quality of life for the residents of Tampa Bay."