Jim was born in Los Angeles. During his elementary school years, his family relocated to Bakersfield. From Bakersfield, Jim moved to Fair Oaks, CA where he graduated high school in 1963. Jim returned to Bakersfield and attended and graduated from Bakersfield College. He furthered his education by graduating with a BS in Business Management from San Jose State in 1968. Upon graduation, Jim took a position in the title insurance industry, starting as an Escrow Office and moving up the ranks to become a Senior Title Manager, with Chicago Title, first in Los Angeles then ending his career in Bakersfield, in 2010.
Jim and his wife Marilyn have been married for 43 years, with two children, Lori, and Glenn (now deceased). He enjoys the gym, golf, and gambling.
In 1973, Jim joined the Kern Kiwanis. After three years, he transferred to Westchester Kiwanis where he remains to this day. What began as business networking soon blossomed into enjoyment helping the kids in the community.