Jim is a Wine Director at Hogsalt in Chicago and manages wine buying for the 20 restaurants. Formerly the General Manager of Mercantile Dining and Provision in Denver, Jim focuses heavily on mentorship in the wine industry when not cooking or trying to make the perfect canelé. Over his career, Jim has worked the restaurant floor, rose to top management at the 3rd largest wholesaler in IL, managed a 7 state territory as an importer prior to joining Hogsalt as wine director. Jim has helped otustusssrganize an annual, immersive, 2-day hospitality and tasting boot camp for the wine industry drawing participants from across the United States and is regarded as one of the most coveted sommeliers in the industry.

Jim is also a Board member and treasurer of the Second City Sommeliers Tasting group in Chicago. Jim was the 2016 National TopSomm second place finisher and 2017 Guildsomm Online Competition winner. Jim has hosted hundreds of tastings and wine dinners in his 18 year career as a wine professional and has just wrapped up working harvest at Argyle winery in Willamette Valley.