Jim has been working with seniors for more than 30 years. Having received a degree in Business Management from Dutchess Community College and a degree from the Culinary Institute of America, Jim launched his career working in restaurants, inns, and private kitchens before making the leap to senior living. 

Anticipating his son’s birth, he began at what is now known as the Watermark at East Hill in 1992 as a chef and, only a few years later, as the Director of Dining Services. Jim believes no community should allow its residents to enjoy anything less than quality, fresh ingredients alongside restaurant-quality service. Now overseeing 32 communities as Regional Director of Dining Services, along with leading menu development, training, and creating policies and procedures, he ensures residents are met daily with a rotating, seasonal menu and numerous dining locations and styles per community.

It was Jim’s pleasure to be a part of creating the first Assisted Living community in Connecticut, built around the policies he installed when first working at East Hill. Jim has developed an online course working with the inventors of Grind Dining, creating Watermark’s “Gourmet Bites Cuisine.” This culinary program creates meals that ensure ease of eating for those with physical, neuromuscular, and cognitive challenges, restoring dining with independence, dignity, and accessibility through finger-friendly foods. Jim also created the Chef on Site program, sending chefs to cook for local senior centers and offering meals of the same quality served to his residents. The Chef on Site program has significantly impacted the community, improving the quality of life while serving between 75 and 90 seniors a day. 

When not working in culinary endeavors, Jim is directly involved with Scouting USA (formerly Boy Scouts of America). Since earning his Eagle, Jim has served as Scoutmaster and, later inregional leadership, as Eagle Scout Advisor and eventually Northwest Hills District Chair and Connecticut Rivers Council board member. He has served as Course Director for the National Youth Leadership Training for most of CT, offering youth the opportunity to learn vital leadership skills applicable to Scouting and Business and teaching at Woodbadge, an adult leadership training course. Jim created Watermark’s “Bridging the Generations” program,bringing scouts and seniors together with the Connecticut Rivers Council. Jim’s scout troop hosted the memory care residents at East Hill at a campout at Camp Mattituck and a trip to Washington, DC. Watermark recognized Jim and the community with an Extraordinary Outing award. 

Jim has been honored by Watermark Communities multiple times as Dining Director of the Year. In 2016, he was presented the US Foods/Premier Illuminating Excellence Award for Excellence in Continuum of Care.