Around 1994, Jim and his family began crewing for his cousin Andre and other pilots at the local Great Falls Balloon Festival, as well as at the Quechee Balloon Festival. He took his first pilot lesson with Balloonmeister Bill Whidden and was instantly hooked. Jim earned his private pilot license in 1999 and his commercial license in 2000. Since then, he has flown in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and Canada.

Jim has been a proud participant at the Quechee Balloon Festival since 2009. He’s easy to spot—just look for the balloon tattoos on his legs!