Jim is a member of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) tribe. His mother, Beverly, was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Kyle, South Dakota. Like his father Jim Sr., he grew up in Tempe, Arizona. Jim earned a B.S. from Arizona State University and a M.S. from San Diego State University. He has also earned a post-graduate certificate in Rehabilitation Administration with 21 Ph.D. level units. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Northern Colorado. Jim’s father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1979, consequently, Jim has been impacted by disability through family experience. Jim has one brother, Don Warne, MD.

Since 1993, Jim has been a Human Resource Development Specialist for the Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RCEP) Region IX at San Diego State University (SDSU). He has worked with various programs over the past few years. He is the former Co-Director of the Sycuan Inter-Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program. He also has been a coordinator and trainer with the Dine` and Oyate` Projects with Western Washington University’s Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation. Jim has also worked with the Navajo Nation coordinating a Disability Needs Assessment Project and he also was the coordinator for the Circle of Support Project at the American Indian Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at Northern Arizona University. He was a contracted consultant trainer, through SDSU, for the American Indian Disability Technical Assistance Center (AIDTAC) administered through the University of Montana. He was a former Vice-president for the Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR). Mr. Warne continues to work as a consultant for various projects. He is an invited coach for the annual Native Vision Camp (sponsored by Johns Hopkins University and NFL Player’s Association) for American Indian youth.

Currently, Jim is the Director of the Center for American Indian Rehabilitation (CAIR). Jim is coordinating the Post Employment Training-American Indian Rehabilitation (PET-AIR) Project and the PET-AIR Bachelor in Vocational Education (BVE) certificate program and working as a trainer for RCEP IX at SDSU. PET-AIR provides funding for Tribal VR professionals to obtain 21 masters level units through a certificate program at SDSU. The certificate units can be transferred into rehabilitation counseling masters programs for the PET-AIR graduates that choose to continue with higher education. PET-AIR/BVE is an 18-unit certificate program leading to a BVE degree.

Jim is a motivational speaker for his experience in professional football and Hollywood TV and movie acting with coinciding academic and professional accomplishment. He is the President of his consulting firm, Warrior Society Development, LLC and CEO of Warrior Foundation, Inc. (non-profit org.).

Jim has a thirteen year-old son, Ryan. Jim is married to Jill a member of the Hoopa tribe in Northern California. Jill has two sons, Troy and Cody. Jim’s interests include Native culture, acting & stunts, martial arts, sports, beach activities, golf, travel, visiting Indian country, and the educational enhancement of Native youth. He also conducts Football and Life Skills Camps for Indian Country through his Warrior Society Development, LLC Youth Division.