Jim was born in Pittsburgh, Pa and grew up in the Washington, D.C. / Northern Virginia Area. He graduated from VMI in 1966 with a B.A. in English. He was also awarded an M.A. in Public Admin from Central Michigan U. He was commissioned in the Air Force following his graduation from VMI. He spent 27 years in the Air Force serving primarily as a Personnel Officer and spent one year in Korea as a Jr Aide-de-Camp to the CINC UN Command. He retired from the Air Force in 1993. He worked on the MOAA National Staff for 10 years as the Deputy Director of the Council and Chapter Affairs Department following his retirement from the Air Force. He and his wife, Marvella, moved to Hampton, VA in 2007. He joined the VIPMOAA Chapter at that time and has served as its President, Virginia Council of Chapter Representative, and Chairman of the Government Relations Committee.