When the Chordsmen board of directors appointed Trevor Garrabrant as front-line chorus director, it left a vacancy in the Assistant Director ranks. With Jim's musical education, he was the logical choice to become one of two Assistant Directors.

Jim was in charge of the audio equipment at the First United Methodist Church in Willard and was running the soundboard the night the Fun Center Chordsmen sang there.

The barbershop bug bit Jim that night, and when he was invited to a chapter meeting, he readily accepted. And within a few meetings, he submitted his application.

Jim was born in Willard and graduated from Willard High School ('81) and attended Bowling Green State University.  He earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from BGSU ('85). But his love of music started long before that. He began piano lessons at age six and kept at it until he was 16. He has also played the trumpet since the 5th grade.

Jim and Cindy were married in Willard in June of 1986. They left on their honeymoon to Orlando, Florida, with no jobs, no place to live, and no car to call their own. While in Orlando, Jim accepted the job of Director of Instrumental Music at Northmor Local Schools.

On the day they returned from their honeymoon, Cindy interviewed with the same Northmor School System for a computer teacher position...and accepted the same day. They now had two jobs, rented their first apartment, and bought a new car. As Jim said, “Who’d have thought that could happen?”

In 1991, Jim took his music skills and abilities to the same position in the Upper Sandusky Schools. In 2001, he was looking for another challenge in life and completely changed direction and became the Director of Technology for the Upper Sandusky School System.  Jim recently retired from a 40-year career in public education.

Cindy retired in 2021 after a 35-year teaching career at Northmor High School, where she and Jim first started. They live in Galion and have three children: Eric, Anna, and Ellie, and four grandchildren, with one on the way!

Jim also enjoys riding roller coasters and traveling in the US with his wife and family.

Because of his technical background, he was asked to become the Social Media Manager and a Website Administrator for the Chordsmen. It soon became apparent that Jim was a leader, and he was elected president of the chapter and served for two two-year terms. He is currently serving as Vice President of Marketing/PR, and is a Chordsmen Barbershopper of the Year and Hall of Fame member.