Dr. James Shaver was elected to WoodmenLife's National Board of Directors on April 1, 2006, and was elected WoodmenLife's first Lead Independent Director in October of 2013. He currently serves as Chair of the National Board Fraternal Committee and serves on the Governance Committee and on the Board of Directors of WFS Holdings, Inc. He formerly served on the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Fraternal Working Group.

A lifelong member of WoodmenLife, he served the North Carolina Jurisdiction as President from 1999 to 2001. He served as a youth leader in Mt Olive, NC, and served on the staff of the East NC Fraternal Corporation. He served on the National Legislative Committee, National Judiciary Committee and the National Convention Executive Officers Reports Committee, and Chaired the National Convention Resolutions Committee. He formerly served on the Board of Directors of the NC Fraternal Congress. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina-West Fraternal Corporation and as Secretary of Chapter 111 in Landis, NC. He has received the Mr. Woodman Award, Fraternal Spirit Award and the Meritorious Service Award.

He holds “Expert Rating” Certifications in “Public Speaking” and “Event Management”. He earned LOMA Designations: “Fellow, Life Management Institute, Level One” (FLMI, Level 1), “Associate, Life Management Institute” (ALMI), and “Associate, Customer Service-Life Insurance” (ACS).

He earned a Bachelor of Science from Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC, and a Doctor of Optometry from The University of Houston College of Optometry in Houston, TX. He owns a private Optometric Practice in Landis, NC.

An amateur magician and history buff, Shaver is also a member of The Travelers Protective Association of America, The Sons of the American Revolution, International Brotherhood of Magicians, Society of American Magicians, American Optometric Association, North Carolina Optometric Society and Piedmont Optometric Society.

He and his wife Stephanie, have one daughter, Augusta, who attends The University of North Carolina-Charlotte. They attend First Reformed Church of Landis.