James Winegardner

President/Chief Executive Officer at Adventist Risk Management

James Winegardner was born and raised in Texas, where he graduated from Southwestern Adventist University (then Southwestern Adventist College) and received a degree in Religion. After serving as a pastor in the Texas Conference, he studied law at Southern Methodist University, where he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1987.  During the next 25 years of law practice, James served Adventist Health System/US, Adventist Risk Management, and Farmers Insurance. He also operated a private litigation practice and was board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He returned to full-time pastoral ministry in the Texas Conference in 2011, ultimately serving the Keene church at his alma mater. In August of 2021, he was elected to serve as president/CEO at Adventist risk management.

James is married to Mary Ellen and has three daughters Megan, Emma, and Lily. He resides in Silver Spring, MD.