Jim is a trusted strategist, large-scale issues leader, coalition-builder and advisor to top executives with more than twenty five years of cultivating, improving and strengthening legislative, policy and economic development relationships in both the public and private sectors. Over the course of his career, Jim has successfully developed and driven policy and legislative initiatives in the area of energy, natural resources, economic development, infrastructure, manufacturing, workers' compensation and taxation. Jim remains committed to improving Ohio's business and industry environment.

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Prior to the founding of CIG, Jim served in the public sector under two Ohio governors, including as the governor's business and industry advisor and liaison to Ohio's business community. Overseeing seven cabinet agencies including the Public Utilities Commission, the departments of Development, Transportation, Taxation, Agriculture, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, the Ohio Industrial Commission, as well two stand-alone commissions: the Ohio Turnpike Commission and the Ohio Expo Commission, Jim was responsible for policy review, assessment, and short and long range policy guidance to the governor. Jim served as a key broker and strategist of private business and legislative support for tort reform, workers' compensation reform and the most sweeping tax reform package in Ohio's history.  Jim worked on numerous energy policy matters, including energy security and the response to the 2003 Northeast power blackout. Jim was the administration lead for the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process and worked closely with the Lt. Governor/development director to achieve economic improvements including creation of the Ohio Jobs Cabinet, 2004 jobs bill and the Ohio Business Development Coalition.

Earlier, Jim served as deputy administrator and director of corporate affairs at the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, part of a select team that transformed the largest single-line insurer with $22 billion in assets and 21 regional offices from the "Silent Killer of Jobs" to an internationally-renowned managed care model. Jim also served in leadership roles for the Department of Development and the Ohio Department of Insurance.

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Jim has been an active participant in Ohio's academic and research arenas. He was appointed Fellow to The Ohio State University's Ohio Manufacturing Institute in 2016 and Fellow to the Levin College of Urban Affairs - Energy Policy Center at Cleveland State University in 2009. Jim was a co-author of "Driving Ohio's Prosperity," a comprehensive automotive/manufacturing report outlining current and future growth trends of Ohio's auto manufacturing industry and served as a strategic advisor and contributor to "An Analysis of the Economic Potential for Shale Formations in Ohio,"a comprehensive state report evaluating growth models and potential for development of Ohio's shale industry. Jim was a founding board member of the Nemacolin Energy Institute, a think tank and consortium involving companies, academics and officials in an effort to discuss quality processes and ensure coordinated, thoughtful development of a newly-emerging industry sweeping through the tri-state region. Jim has also been a contributing writer for Crain's Cleveland Business Energy Report on the Ohio Shale industry, providing technical industry updates as well as commentary on the intersection between Ohio shale development and public policy. 

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Native of Northeast Ohio, Jim began his career working in the family print shop in downtown Cleveland. Jim graduated from The Ohio State University in 1994 and received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force following an injury that resulted in the permanent loss of his left eye. He and his wife, Heidi, live in Columbus with their two children and are members of St. Catharine Church in Columbus and Holy Trinity Church in West Union, Ohio. Jim is an active conservationist, sportsman, waterfowl hunter and advocate on issues related to outdoor sporting, natural resources conservation and youth ice hockey.