Jim is a former career Army officer who in 1988 was assigned to Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Air Command and Staff College.. Jim joined Realty Options (Montgomery Alabama) in 1990 and by the end of '91, was listed as a top "7" agent in Montgomery's 'Who's Who in Real Estate Residential Award Winners, placing him in the top 1% of all local REALTORS®. In '92, he obtained his broker's license, and started the 1st franchise of Realty Options which he owned and operated for three years in Prattville, AL.. The two offices later combined in Montgomery where he became the Corporate Broker. Starting in 2001, Jim joined RE/MAX of Montgomery and was an associate broker with them for 3 years. In May 2004 he co founded Central Alabama Real Estate Academy with Dan Stallings, broker of Montgomery Metro Realty Inc. which Jim later joined. He is the academy's chief instructor and Jon his son is the school's administrator. Jim holds the designations of ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative) and CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) with only the top 4% of all REALTORS® holding this designation. He is an Alabama State approved real estate instructor since '99 and was "e-PRO" certified the first year (2000) the course was offered by the National Board of REALTORS®. He became Alabama's first e-PRO trainer in 2008. Jim is married to his high school sweetheart, Glenda who is the Curriculum Specialist (K-4) for Elmore County Board of Education working with all 5 elementary schools in the county. They have 3 children: with Joshua a graduate of Chef School, currently employed on assorted projects in LA California. Donna (married to Ken Stricklin) is an Assistant Vice President of Sterling Bank, Private Banker and proud parents of the first granddaughter - Emma Jane. Jonathan and his wife Crystal are the proud parents of the first Grandson Jonathan Christian along with his twin brothers Alex and Bret. Jim and Glenda enjoy gardening, their 4 grandchildren and actively support the Montgomery Zoo. They moved to their home in Montgomery (June 2004) after having lived in their previous home in Prattville for 16 years. From 2000 to 2005 Jim served on the board of directors of the Condominium Association for CaraVita Village (formerly Covenant Village) Montgomery's Premier Retirement Community with independent apartment living and assisted living facilities. |
