Jim grew up in a musical family, playing drums from the age of 8 in school bands and for recreation along with his brother and friends.  He spent hours listening to his parent's stereo, talking to people throughout the world with his ham radio set, and configuring the sound systems for the rock, pop, and jazz bands that he played and recorded with.  Following graduation with a degree in Psychology from Ohio State University, he discovered that the same school offered a degree in recording sciences, and quickly enrolled. He built & managed the school's audio recording studios, and held a job at a large commercial recording studio in the area, where he was exposed to commercial production, music recording, mastering, tape duplication, and record pressing.  He also taught several courses within his college curriculum, and at the Recording Workshop in nearby Chillicothe.

While an independent engineer, Jim's clients often called on his technical knowledge, and he gained considerable experience in studio design and installation.  He consulted on the construction and was involved in the operation of Gary Hedden's mobile recording truck that recorded Huey Lewis, Hall and Oates, Tower of Power, Gloria Estefan, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, and many others during the 80's.  When the company moved to Nashville, Jim found fertile ground for his technical skills there.  Many studios hired him to correct the work of others, and he founded StudioTex, devoted to such activities.  StudioTex was responsible for the technical development and installation of many of the region's finest facilities, including East Iris, Sound Kitchen, and MasterMix, as well as studios scattered throughout the Eastern US.

Jim's role at MasterMix initially included providing technical services through his company, however in late 2000, he was given the title of Director of Technology, and become responsible for the facilities' technical operations, and work relating to new media, including DVD-V, DVD-A, and SACD.

Jim is a member of the NARAS P&E Wing, AES Vice-President Central Region USA/Canada & Vice Chair Technical Council, serves on the AES Nashville Section Committee, and is founding Chairman of the Nashville Engineer Relief Fund Board.  He has been teaching courses in the Audio Technology Program at Belmont University since 2005.