Jim served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal from 1970 to 1972 as an agriculture extension agent in the Bara province. His work involved introducing Green Revolution varieties of wheat, corn, and rice into local subsistence agriculture. Jim traveled extensively in the Indian sub-continent and returned to India for official government business as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Upon his return to the United States, he worked as a social worker doing case work in Central New York State. Subsequently, he joined the New York Telephone Company/Verizon in Syracuse, New York, where he served in a number of capacities, primarily in marketing, until 1988.
His political career began when he was elected to the Syracuse Common Council, where he served as third district councilman and was subsequently elected to the position of common council president, where he served until his election to Congress.
Prior to his election, Jim served as director/executive in residence at SUNY Institute of Technology, Telecommunications Institute, Marcy, New York from 1986 to 1988. His responsibilities included helping to establish a telecommunications degree program and developing an institute to enhance the student experience utilizing private sector contributions of equipment and other resources. He also worked very closely with the private sector in order to place telecommunications degree graduates.
