Through Developer in Residence, Jim trains and mentors non-profit and for profit professionals in the built environment through all stages of design, finance and construction for middle scale housing 1-20 units in size on urban infill lots across the county. His work spans the country in the northern climate zones from the inland Northeast, Midwest and Mountain West from with particular long term engagements with the cities of Kalamazoo, MI and South Bend, IN.

Previously, Jim worked as a project manager and as the Founder and Executive Director at Strong Towns. Additionally, he oversees design coordination, construction management and business management activities for Heirloom Properties. He is also Principal at Electric Housing, a private consulting firm that builds upon work he started as Executive Director and Co-Founder of Incremental Development Alliance.