Jim graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Business Administration. While serving in the United States Military he served as a finance specialist dealing with payroll and various other accounting duties. Following service in Vietnam, he worked in the industrial engineering division of a packing company and has been a systems analyst for an area hospital. He has operated a farm in Winneshiek County in Northeast Iowa for 29 years and has worked on numerous boards, committees and commissions in many different capacities. Jim currently is serving on the Board of Directors for Golden Grain Energy, LLC, an ethanol plant located in Mason City, Iowa. He has served as Golden Grain Energy's first treasurer and is currently Chairman of their Audit Committee.
