Born in Lyon, France in 1941 from a Swiss father and a Czech mother, the family left France and moved to Switzerland in 1943 to settle in the French Canton of Neuchatel.

Jim studied Electronic Engineering and Communications at the Technicum Cantonal of St-Imier during 1958-62, graduating with an Engineering Degree.

In 1962 he joined C.I.R. (Companie pour L’Industrie Electronique) as a Quality assurance manager and Liaison officer between the Swiss government and French air force Dassault, and was involved in the development of new electronic equipment for the French Mirage 4A recently purchased by the Swiss Air force from Dassault in France.

Responding to the demand for qualified personnel for a developing Nation (an initiative of Prime Minister, Robert Menzies), Jim migrated to Australia in 1964.

During 1964-69 he worked in the television industry in the Riverina and NSW South Coast until he moved to the ACT to establish his own business and become the largest electronic service centre in Canberra.  He employed two apprentices who completed their three year term with the highest marks in the State.