New Orleans Association of Health Underwriters

Prior to becoming the Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Insurance, Jim Donelon served the Department in leadership positions as Chief Deputy Commissioner and Executive Counsel.

Jim was born in New Orleans. He is a graduate of Jesuit High School, the University of New Orleans and Loyola School of Law. In 1986, Jim became the first recipient of the Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award for the University of New Orleans.

Commissioner Donelon retired as the State Judge Advocate for the Louisiana Army National Guard where he held the rank of Colonel and received the prestigious Legion of Merit medal among many other citations, for his contributions during his 33 years of military service.

In 1975 Jim was the elected Jefferson Parish Council Chairman and from 1982 to 2001 Jim represented Jefferson Parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives where he rose to the leadership positions of Chairman of the Committee on Insurance and Co-Chairman of the Republican Legislative Delegation. In 2001 Jim joined the staff of the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Jim presently serves on the Board of Directors of Hope Haven Boys Home, Friends Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and the Blood Center for Southeast Louisiana.

Jim is married to the former Merilynn Boudreaux. They reside in Jefferson Parish. Jim and Merilynn are the parents of four daughters and the grandparents of two granddaughters and one grandson.