After High School, James joined the US Army where he spent four years in electronic warfare and signals intelligence. He then worked various jobs to support himself in school, including bouncer at a country and western bar and guitar teacher at various music stores.

While working at Roadway Logistics, finished his bachelor's degree, then took a job in applications development at Parker Hannifin Corporation. There, he worked as a programmer, analyst, network administrator, project manager and eventually IT department manager.

Left to start his own company, that did construction for disaster events working closely with large insurers. After the financial crisis, business never recovered and the business was closed in 2012.

During this time, also served as an officer in the US Navy Reserve specializing in government contracts.

In 2012, accepted a position as a contract negotiator with the US Air Force. 

Began as a visiting instructor with the University of Toledo in 2016.