Jim is a native of Pensacola and a graduate of Tate High School and the University of West Florida, where he received his degree in finance. He moved to Charlotte, NC in 1997 with a goal of furthering his career in banking, but later developed a passion for technology. Upon receiving his IT/Networking degree, he officially entered the world of tech in 2001. After working several years as a network engineer, he relocated back to Pensacola in 2007. He joined AppRiver the following year, specializing in mobile device technology, and later became the company’s first community relations specialist in 2018. He is currently the Community & Public Relations Director for the Center for Cybersecurity and AI at the University of West Florida.

Because he believes in the CyberCoast’s potential to be a major hub for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, he has been actively involved in the local tech community since returning to the area. He is chairman emeritus for IT Gulf Coast and has served as director of the ITEN WIRED | TechNet CyberCoast Summit since 2013.

His leisure activities include golfing, disc golf, traveling, and fishing.