Jim Valentine

Jim Valentine, born in 1938 in Chicago, Illinois, has lived an experienced and resilient life. He grew up being molded by his father, a World War II Army Air Force captain. He noticed the family migrating to Liberal, Kansas, and Biloxi, Mississippi, before his father was sent to the Philippines.

Jim's education began in Chicago public schools and later at North Park Academy, where he graduated in 1957. He gained a bachelor's degree from Knox College in 1961 and served as a second lieutenant in the Army for two years in Germany.

After retiring from service, Jim joined Union Special Machine Company as a management trainee and refined his manufacturing experience. He wed his college sweetheart, Judy, in 1962, and the two spent their time traveling all over Europe before their son, Jimmie, was born in 1963.

Tragedy hit Jimmie in 1966 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, evoking a return to Chicago for support. During this time, Jim emerged as a community leader, notably serving as president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Over two decades at Union Special, he advanced to executive roles while traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada.

In 1993, Jimmie died, and Jim started his own company, which he successfully ran for 31 years, traveling literally around the world, until he sold it in 2022, regained it, and resold it again in 2024, then retired. In 2025, he published two books and began a career as an author.