Jim spent his youth moving around the country as the son of a soldier. His family settled in Springfield, Missouri at the start of his senior year of high school. After graduating from Glendale High, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University. He enlisted in the Army in 1982. He later got commissioned and served for 24 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. After leaving active-duty Jim continued to work for the Army as a civilian as a Counterintelligence Special Agent. His last assignment before retiring with 38 years of Federal Service was as the Special Agent in Charge of a Counterintelligence Detachment in Stuttgart, Germany. During his 38 years of service Jim deployed multiple times to Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, seven Meritorious Service Medals, Senior Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab. While on active duty, Jim earned a master’s degree in human relations from the University of Oklahoma. Jim is a member of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Ozark, serves as a Director on the Ozark Fire Protection District Board, and currently serves as the Post Commander of Sam Appleby Jr. Memorial VFW Post 7628. He resides with his wife Christy in Ozark. They have two adult children, a son, and a daughter. Their son, a third-generation soldier, serves in the Army Reserve as a PYSOPS Specialist.