What it was like to work with Jim...

From Diane Paige (one of Jim's friends from Marsh):

To Jim and Family:

I am writing this “blog” addition so that Chris, Lauren and Dana will know a little about what it is like to work with Jim on a day-to-day basis.

Jim and I are a client relations team for about 15 clients and have been working together for the past 3 years. I live in Iowa, Jim in NH, so my relationship with Jim has been built through daily telephone calls and occasional in person visits. As with everything in life and as seen on other blogs, I am in awe of Jim’s sensitivity in knowing his co-workers styles, strengths/weaknesses, priorities, and goals for the future, and how he uses his intuition in establishing close relationships with each individual.

He is a mentor yet a friend in so many different ways to those he is in contact with. Jim takes the extra steps to make sure work is enjoyable and that he is engaged at all times – no multitasking allowed in conversations with Jim – he would know if I was not 100% attentive. No matter what issues come up, Jim always looks on the positive side of situations, and always is generous with feedback for a job well done. That positive feedback always is such a lift!

When his clients look to him for answers they know they will get Jim’s honest explanations. In the field of ethics he is an example for all business professionals to follow.

It amazed me how Jim uses every minute of life to his advantage and to live fully. I can remember him calling me on his cell phone while driving to or from a meeting and he would get so wrapped up in our conversation, the “never lost system” would start in “rerouting” mode because Jim would have missed an exit. When traveling in his personal car - he had to put away the “books on tape” from the passenger seat to make room for me - he used these audio books to feed his various life interests, such as those on historical figures or events. (I now do the same thing.)

My work life and personal life has been so enriched by his presence that I wanted all the special people sharing this information to know that Jim lives his morals and mentoring attitudes around the clock 24/7. Jim and his family will remain in my family’s prayers for a long time into the future.