Jim entered marketing in 1977, joining Texize Consumer Products, working in Market Research and New Brand Development. In 1980, he moved to Airwick Consumer Products as a New Brand Development Manager, then Director of Marketing Research. At these two companies, Jim served key roles in the national rollouts of Carpet Fresh room deodorizer and Yes detergent.

In 1983, Jim left Airwick to join Chiat/Day New York as Director of Account Planning. By 1984, he was ready to move back to the South, and joined McCann Erickson Regional Marketing as V.P./Director of Strategic Planning, where he worked primarily with independent Coke bottlers.

By 1988, Jim was with Tucker Wayne/Luckie as Director of Account Planning, working primarily with BellSouth and New Business Development.

For the last 2 years, Jim has lent his services to BDI, where he has been instrumental in developing strategic marketing plans for a broad range of clients.