James E. “Jim” Amerson served as director of Oklahoma Boys State, a program designed to teach citizenship. He served as assistant director of that organization for seven years prior to his appointment as director.

A self-employed engineer, he has also had an outstanding career as a coach and in service to the American Legion. In 1998 he was the first First American to be elected commander of the state American Legion. He served as the American Legion national representative for Oklahoma on foreign affairs.

Amerson served as a combat tank commander in the famed 45th Infantry Division, 179th Heavy Tank Company in Korea.