Jim began his career in sales with General Mills, consistently growing sales in his territories and later starting his own telecommunications firm.

However, it was his strong sense of commitment to community service that led Jim to focus his energy and passion in the public sector. His management experiences in the non-profit and public sector include serving as executive vice-president of Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES), the executive director of Chicanos Latinos Affairs Council, the American Heart Association, and the Arthritis Foundation.

Jim’s community service and leadership earned him the prestigious Bush Leadership Fellowship where he completed a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. He holds a BA in economics from Macalester College and is a graduate of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce Leadership Miami Program.

“Jim’s leadership in business, in non-profit efforts to advance economic justice all families, and in the Minnesota Latino community makes him a perfect fit for Growth & Justice and our mission for investing in real prosperity’’ said Growth & Justice President Dane Smith.