Jim was born in Windsor, Ontario and completed his Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Honours Business Administration) from the University of Windsor in October 1973. After majoring in finance and economics, he completed the required real estate appraisal courses attaining his professional AACI (Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute) designation in 1982. In addition, Jim is a licensed real estate salesperson and a member of the Ontario Real Estate Association (O.R.E.A.)

As a real estate appraiser and senior partner in a large London real estate appraisal company, Jim has over 17 years of appraisal consulting experience throughout Southwest Ontario. His assignments cover a vast array of investment properties including industrial, commercial, agricultural and multi-family properties. Specific expertise includes such specialty assignments as arenas, golf courses, marinas, hotels/motels and other recreation related properties. Consulting and appraising assignments for easements, rights-of-way, utility corridors and expropriation matters have also been provided to small landowners as well as large multi-national companies.

Jim has appeared as an expert witness before the Supreme Court of Ontario and prepared numerous reports for litigation purposes throughout Southwest Ontario.