Jim Thompson is originally from Missouri. After getting degrees in Building Construction Management and Civil Engineering from Purdue University, he served in the Active-duty Army for ten years and then ten years in the Army Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. After leaving active duty in Hawaii, he spent 32 years doing construction management as a Project Engineer, Quality Control Manager, Superintendent and Project Manager on projects ranging in size from $2500 to over $117M in both Hawaii and Washington State. Upon retiring from the construction industry, Jim and his wife Beth moved to Hendersonville, NC. Jim spends his time now working on remodeling the home they bought, hiking and sailing. Jim and his wife have eight cats that they care for and occasionally show. They have shown numerous cats to numerous International and Regional wins.