Conway, a St. Louis native, received a Bachelor of Science in Geophysical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Louis University.
After serving in the United States Army, Conway was employed as a sales engineer and production manager at Missouri Boiler Division of Nooter Corporation. In 1967, he founded ACI Plastics, Inc., a leading fabricator and distributor of custom plastic products, which now has outlets in five cities.
Conway has been very involved in Missouri and St. Louis community service and was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1966. He served four terms and was elected to the Missouri Senate. His interest in the vitality of the City of St. Louis motivated him to introduce or contribute to legislation in projects such as the Cultural District, "The Zoo Shall Be Forever Free," the Land Reutilization Act and the Circuit Breaker Act.
Jim was elected Mayor of St. Louis in 1977 and during his tenure, he focused on strengthening the tax base of St. Louis, neighborhood development, reutilization of housing and establishing sound management principles for City Government. While mayor, James was elected by his peers as the First Vice-President of the National League of Cities.
Within the St. Louis Community he has served as the St. Louis Board of Police commissioners, President of the Rotary Club of St. Louis, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University), President of the International Association of Plastic Distributors, Member of the Home Rule committee and Member and Treasurer of the St. Louis Zoo Commission. In addition, he is an active alumnus of the Institute of Technology, and is presently serving on the Parks College Executive Advisory Board.
Conway and his wife, Joan Newmam, have five children.
