# Jim King

> Jim King co-founded school administration software company Skyward with his wife, Jean, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, in 1980. A programmer and former CEO and chairman, he helped build the business from a garage operation into an international provider of school software. His later public work includes the Skyward Scholars Program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

- **Role:** Co-founder of Skyward; former CEO and chairman
- **Organizations:** Skyward
- **Education:** Pacelli Catholic High School, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- **Known for:** Co-founded Skyward in 1980., Developed the Merrill salary-negotiation system that launched Skyward’s school-district business., Named a 2022 Pacelli Distinguished Alumni Award recipient alongside his late brother Cliff.

## Career timeline

- **1980** — Founded Jim King & Associates with Jean King in Stevens Point.
- **1981** — Won a $4,500 contract to develop salary-negotiation software for Merrill Area Public School District.
- **1984** — The business became School Administration Software, Inc. (SASI).
- **1994** — The business adopted the Skyward name and focused on school districts.
- **2008** — Cliff King became CEO; Jim later described his chairmanship as lasting 12 years through February 2020.
- **2020** — Son Jerry succeeded him as chairman; Jim and Jean announced they would remain board mentors and advisors.
- **2022** — Recognized with Pacelli’s Distinguished Alumni Award; Jim and Jean’s Skyward Scholars Program was announced at UW-Stevens Point.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Skyward in 1980.
- Developed the Merrill salary-negotiation system that launched Skyward’s school-district business.
- Named a 2022 Pacelli Distinguished Alumni Award recipient alongside his late brother Cliff.
- Created the endowed Skyward Scholars Program with Jean King to support students pursuing programming careers.

## Latest updates

- **2025-04** — UW-Stevens Point recognized Skyward with a UW Regents Business Partnership Award and highlighted the scholarship fund Jim and Jean created.
- **2022-09** — UW-Stevens Point dedicated Skyward Fieldhouse in recognition of support from Jim and Jean King and the Skyward Scholars Program.

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/jim-king
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20