Jim graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy from 1979 to 1999. He retired as a Commander, and P-3 Orion Naval Flight Officer. Returning to Lebanon, he served as a Trust officer for a local bank, then joined Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor in 2003. He served for 10 years on the U.S. Service Academy Nomination Board for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
His community focus includes past service as President of the Boone County Senior Services Foundation, Lebanon City Council, Boone County Economic Development Corporation, Witham Family YMCA Board of Directors, and currently a member of the Lebanon Rotary Club.
He and his wife, Rae Ann, are the parents of Kristen (husband Lowell) Miller, Stacey (husband Evan) Nordstrom, and Jeff (wife Faye) Messenger. They have been blessed with three grandchildren ages 3 and younger, and are expecting a fourth.