Jim started in the insurance business in 1985 as a producer. In 1992 he formed Independent Insurance Group, Inc., an all-lines agency licensed in four states -- North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. The agency has 10 full-time employees.

In October 2009, he was elected Director of District 6 for the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina for a second three-year term. He is chairman of the IIANC surplus funds committee and a member of the legislative committee. An active member of IIANC for many years, Jim has served on the investment, agency management & technology and political action committees in the past. IIANC is a statewide trade association representing more than 1,000 independent insurance agencies in North Carolina, with more than 10,000 employees, who work to protect North Carolinians. Independent agents represent more than one insurance company. This is important because it means an independent agent can offer you a wide choice of insurance products to help protect your home, your family and your business.

Jim is a former Region V Vice President of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), a past president of the North Carolina chapter of NAHU and founding president of the local Fayetteville association (now known as the Sandhills Association of Health Underwriters). NAHU is an organization dedicated to serving the public by promoting the activities and ethical conduct of insurance professionals through communication, education and legislative representation. While serving in his NAHU capacity, Jim received recognition as NCAHU Member of The Year in 1997, NAHU's Distinguished Service Award in 2002. In 2003 he received NCAHU's highest award, the Fredrick W. Joyner Distinguished Service Award. He has been an Honor Council Member and a Lifetime Member of the Leading Producer Round Table since 1995.