Jim Carpenter

Founder & CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited

Founded Wild Birds Unlimited in 1981 in Indianapolis, IN and grew the franchise with his wife Nancy and his excellent Team. Currently is in his 45th year as President & CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc, with over 360 franchise stores in the US and Canada. Wild Birds Unlimited is highly ranked for franchisee satisfaction and corporate culture and is ranked as a top franchise opportunity for veterans, women, and 2nd careers.

Wild Birds Unlimited has the Mission to Bring People and Nature Together and has sponsored and funded many projects such as observation towers at wildlife refuges, sending disadvantaged kids to Audubon camps, international citizen science events and backyard habitat certification. Recently, Jim & Nancy purchased an abandoned 215 acre golf course and sold it to their home town creating the Carpenter Nature Preserve Park.

Jim authored the book, “The Joy of Bird Feeding”. His board participation includes the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, The Nature Conservancy of Indiana and the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute. Honors include Purdue’s Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award, being designated by Indiana Governors twice for being a Sagamore of the Wabash and once for being a Distinguished Hoosier.

Each year Jim hosts the WBU Owl Cam live streaming of a Barred Owl nesting. https://www.wbu.com/owl-cam/