Jim attended St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, from 1971-75 earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. In 1980, he earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Iowa. In the spring of 1999 Jim earned his PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In the course of an over forty year career in education Jim has served as a teacher, coach, and high school principal in the states of Iowa and Wisconsin. He served as Superintendent of the School District of Fort Atkinson from 1999-2013. Jim and his wife of 40 years, Therese, have lived in Fort Atkinson for 18 years.