Jim is a co-founder of a successful mortgage banking company that was formed in 2003. This mortgage company was merged into Independent Bank during 2010. Previously, Jim served on the board of directors of a local community bank in Austin, TX from 2005-2009. In addition, Jim helped bring together the management team & capital funding needs for Propep Surgical from an idea stage company to a commericially successful medical device company. He is the CFO of this medical device company and sits on its board of directors. Jim previously worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young where he was responsible for the management of high net worth individuals & families investment assets. He gained extensive experience in the management of assets, negotiation of business transactions, legal structuring, tax, and risk management for multiple projects in diversified business areas while he worked at the two Big Five accounting firms. Jim is a licensed CPA & Certified Financial Planner. Jim graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelors Degree in Finance and attended Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for post-graduate education in accounting.