Jim graduated from the University of Tulsa and worked in another field until he and his wife Sharon had the opportunity to return to the Tulsa metro area. Together they have one son and have lived in Broken Arrow since 1976. Jim had entered the insurance business as an agent in 1975, then began working for an independent insurance agency in Tulsa. His initial focus was, and continues to be, a general practice of business clients. Jim met and joined Bruce Schutte in 1977 at the Broken Arrow Insurance Agency, which would later come to be known as The Arrow Group, and eventually became partner and owner. Jim is now enjoying the remainder of his career as an agent working closely with commercial clients, many of whom have become good friends. He is active in the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce, the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation, and Broken Arrow Rotary. Jim is also a member of New Heart Church and the Broken Arrow Education Foundation. He has received numerous community awards, including Citizen of the Year and the Broken Arrow Legacy Award.