Jim's career began at sea as a deck hand at age 13, after which, at age 17, he spent ten and one-half years on active duty in the Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. In 1960, he took the reigns of the 60 year-old Red River Motor Company in Bossier City. Under his fine leadership, Red River has become an outstanding Chevrolet dealership.

Jim's factory achievements include serving on the Chevrolet Dealer Council at both the zone and regional level, and recognition for $1 million annual parts sales. He was among the top 50 CSI dealers nationally, and has been a speaker at General Motors' stockholders conference. Jim was one of the first Chevrolet dealers to install a core design system. It is said by a loyal member of his staff that his continuing education included computer study in 1990 with such zest that computer sessions became a daily event for the staff. Jim created on his home computer, charts, graphs, etc., for the benefit of the staff at regular meetings.

Jim represented Louisiana as LADA's nominee to the TIME Magazine Quality Dealer Awards Program held in Dallas during the NADA Convention in 1992.