Jim is a third-generation seedsman and president of Gro Alliance, the largest independently owned seed supply chain solutions provider in North America. The company specializes in seed production, custom seed breeding and aggregating growers for closed-loop and value added seed products. It also has a joint-venture in Chile, called CIS Alliance, where is offers custom seed breeding services in row crops, oil seeds and vegetables. The company launched Breeder Direct in 2020 which out licenses corn and soybean germplasm to seed companies.

Jim serves as a board advisor for the soybean breeding company, ZeaKal and UV light treatment company, BioLumic. He served as the chair of the American Seed Trade Association in 2022-2023 and remains active as a current member of its Board of Directors.

He has a BA in public relations from the University of Minnesota and an MS in seed technology and business from Iowa State.