When asked about his Bergen Catholic experience, Jim has a hard time differentiating the school from his classmates. Interacting with guys from different towns and backgrounds, and keeping those friendships, was every bit as important to him as the education and the BC philosophy. Jim’s time at Bergen Catholic was highlighted by the 1963 football team (he was the starting safety) winning a state championship, the first of many in the school’s storied football history. After graduation in 1964, Jim went AWOL from Bergen Catholic for almost 40 years as somehow life got in the way. Bachelors and MBA degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson, were the tickets to Wall Street in September 1969. During his 50-year career, his functions included research analyst, portfolio manager, investment banker, and principal in a private equity business. One of his highlights was serving as chairman of a publicly-traded company for 6 years. In 2010, Jim developed a new philosophy on philanthropy, and in the process reconnected with Bergen Catholic. Since then, he has been an important contributor to the school’s capital projects and has worked closely with BC President Brian Mahoney on strategy and implementation. Jim’s return culminated at the 2018 Crusader Gala, where his entire class was honored and Jim and two classmates were awarded the Founders Medal, the highest honor that can be bestowed by the school. At the 2018 Crusader Gala, Jim gave the keynote speech. In part. he said: ” ..a large part of tonight is about inspiration: it’s about the vision and Mission Statement of Bergen Catholic’s founders; it’s about providing the foundation for young men to become pillars of their communities; it’s about instilling the value of discipline; it’s about teaching students how to think, not what to think; it’s about the goal to develop leadership; it’s about trying to make the world a better place.” Jim has been a resident of Bergen County his entire life, and currently resides with his wife, Joanne, in Woodcliff Lake. In addition to Bergen Catholic. Jim is an active contributor to other area institutions including Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, where he was just appointed to the Board of Trustees, and the Institute for Educational Achievement. a school for children and young adults with autism where Joanne serves on the Board of Trustees.