Jim is a retired Chief Technology Officer with a Fortune 500 company. He has over forty years of experience spanning the evolution of the global offshore energy industry. His contributions included technology innovation, project and line management, commercial and marketing strategy, and mentorship throughout his career. He is a lateral thinker, bringing innovation to strategic planning and creating new business opportunities and technologies; he has been awarded over a dozen patents. Jim earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering at NC State University, an MS in Ocean Engineering at MIT, a Professional Engineering Degree in Ocean Engineering jointly awarded by MIT and WHOI, and his MBA from Rice University. Jim recently became credentialed as an International Coaching Federation coach, and currently works with startups nationwide through SCORE, The Ion, Cannon, Capital Factory, Greentown Labs, and Rice Alliance. He enjoys coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs, focusing on early journey validation and product/market fit, particularly for technology startups. Jim is also a member of the Houston Angel Network as an investor.