Jim Tunney had an exemplary career as an NFL referee (1960-1991). The first official to be named to the "All-Madden Team," Jim also won top honors from the National Association of Sports Officials, the Gold Whistle Award (1992) and is in the National Football League Hall of Fame.

During his football career, he became "Dean of the Referees" and shared the field with some of the greatest athletes of our time—Roger Staubach, Mean Joe Greene, Frank Gifford and Gale Sayers. As a speaker, he talks about the common qualities of these sports greats and the key ingredients that spell success. In his 31 years as an NFL official, Tunney received a record 29 postseason assignments, including ten Championships and three Super Bowls.

Still active in NFL affairs and many sports issues, Tunney regularly suggests rule changes and ways to improve the game. He continues to serve his community in many ways. He is the Chair of the Monterey Peninsula Community College and serves on several board of directors: namely the Central Coast Chapter of the National Football Foundation and on the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

After receiving master’s and doctorate degrees in education from the University of Southern California in 1960, Tunney began a distinguished career in academics. He worked first as a teacher and then as a principal at numerous high schools in the Los Angeles area. In 1977, he was appointed superintendent of the Bellflower school district.

A celebrated and respected speaker, Tunney's credentials place him in the top 4% of professional speakers working today. A past-president of the National Speakers Association, he is a mentor to many members. Tunney works with national and international corporations and organizations such as Apple, Xerox, All-State, State Farm, Cadillac, Toyota, Frito-Lay, Nabisco, Arco and Unocal, helping them to build winning teams, develop leadership skills and increase personal productivity.