Jim's background, education and experience includes:


• Being born and raised in South Dakota (where's the water?) of Dutch ancestry and a heritage that included shipbuilders in the Netherlands.



• Starting sailing with a lifelong friend on Lake Michigan in a 19' 6" Lightening.



• Logging over 21,750 safe and accident free sea miles with his wife Anna on their 45' cruising ketch Justice over a 5 year period. Total sea miles have been over 43.500.



• Sailing, racing and motoring on over 27 different vessels from 14' 6" to a 106' Schooner in various capacities of Captain and crew over 42 years.



• Being a U.S.C.G. licensed Captain who has over 42 years experience and over 1,850 days at sea.



• Having spent 5 years with his extended family in a character development high school where parents, students, siblings, and faculty learn to explore their issues and take the steps necessary for further emotional, spiritual and character growth.



• Having a Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, a Master Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan.



• Having a Master's Degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins.


• Successfully completed correspondence education to obtain 1/3 of the requirements for a Law Degree.



• Created two separate and successful companies to provide Strategic Planning, Change Management, and Facilitation services to Fortune 500 companies and US Government Agencies.



• Having work experience of 34 years as a Naval Architect, Change Agent, Facilitator and Entrepreneur, including 16 years for Bath Iron Works Corporation, a major shipbuilder of Destroyers for the U.S. Navy.

My understanding of Success:

To laugh often and much
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson