Owner, Co-Founder, and Instructor of BEST - Boating Emergency Safety Training, Jim is a retired Master Firefighter from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services in Maryland, with an impressive 34 years of service. Over the course of his career, he served as a Firefighter, Rescue Specialist, Emergency Medical Technician (32 years), Fire Service Instructor Level II, and Class A Vehicle Operator. His final five years were spent as an Aide to the Operations Battalion Chief before retiring. His long-standing commitment to public service reflects his reliability and dedication to community safety. 

Raised in Elkridge, Maryland, he developed a lifelong love for the water, spending 34 years on the Chesapeake Bay and connecting waters. Since retiring, he has become a proud permanent resident of Cape Coral, Florida, where he continues to train and enjoy life on the water. He has a vast knowledge and familiarity of the stunning waterways of the Gulf, including the Caloosahatchee River, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, Matanzas Pass, and San Carlos Bay.

Thanks to Jim’s AHA certifications in Life Support, CPR, AED, and Heartsaver, you’ll not only be safe but also have a great time mastering the ins and outs of life on the water.