Jim has been the Associate Director of the Center for Adventist Research since 2003. He also serves as the liaison for the Adventist Digital Library to the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index Advisory Committee, and is active with the Association of Seventh-day Adventist Librarians.

He came to Andrews University in 1991 as the Curator of the Adventist Heritage Center, a position he held until it was integrated into the Center for Adventist Research in November 2003. Previous to coming to Andrews University he held the position of Records Manager at the Office of Archives and Statistics of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He was also involved in the re-organization of the General Conference Library in 1982.

He holds a MA degree in American history with an emphasis on middle 19th century history, and a MLS degree in Library and Information Science with an emphasis on archival management. Both degrees were earned from the University of Maryland at College Park. He is also a graduate of Andrews University with a BA degree in history. He is responsible for day-to-day operations of the Center as well as collection management.