Arriving in New Norfolk in 1980 with a wife and six children Jim fell in love with the Derwent Valley. Working first in Glenorchy before joining what was Australian News Print Mills now Norske Skog. In 1983 he ventured into Real Estate in the Valley and the rest is history. Real Estate New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley and Jim just all came together as successful team. His first foray seen him put New Norfolk on the map before he went to Hamilton and opened a general store. His second foray into Real Estate in 1987/88 seen him become L.J.Hookers top residential salesperson with his New Norfolk office being the Top all round office for the state of Tasmania. In 1990 Roberts bought him out and he moved out of town. After spending 5 plus years in the Goodwood news agency a short spell with Roberts Glenorchy and a couple of years on the mainland he was drawn back to New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley to start over again in 2002. Derwent Valley Real Estate is now the leading agents in the Valley employing 5 sales people and receptionist and many others directly and indirectly. Jim became President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Business Alliance, on the board of Spatial Planning, on the board of the Councils special committee for the redevelopment of Willow Court and Valley Vision. Recently he was elected to serve on the Derwent Valley Council. A great believer in giving back to the community that supports him Jim via his company has supported nearly every club school and organisation in the Valley in some manner or other.
Jim has completed in 2004 his Diploma of Property, In 2007 was one of the first graduates from the of Auction Academy, is on the committee of FIABCI the international Real Estate Federation and has spoken at Real Estate Conferences in Indonesia and China as well as giving many local talks. He is also a member of Real Estate Institutes of Tasmania and Australia.
On a personal note Jim is married to Jesangel (Ally). Ally comes from Singapore and is of Indian descent. Ally is very bubbly and colourful and can speak sixteen languages. She is very supportive of Jim in most things he aspires to.
