Jim was born and raised in southern Indiana. He is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Education and an 11 year veteran of the US Navy where he served as a nuclear technician and trainer. Jim also has numerous years experience coaching young men in baseball, football, and basketball. Jim brings a life-long love and experience assessing and managing thoroughbred racehorses to the residential program at the farm. He manages a racing string of more than a dozen horses for the farm, determining where and when they will race and directing their training regimen. Jim has multiple years in recovery and supports the overall Gatehouse Academy approach to recovery and education with the added emphasis of a special equine curriculum.