Jim is an infill developer and development advisor based in Sonoma County, California. Known for his aspirational but practical approach, he works with a range of tools and best practices to communicate the value of inspired design and sustainability within the realities of market norms. With over forty years experience as an urban designer, land planner, sustainability strategist and now infill developer, he brings a broad range of perspectives and skills to the discussion about how communities can – and should – grow. Trained as a landscape architect, he received a Masters in Real Estate Development from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as way to more effectively integrate economics, development and design thinking.

Continuing his role as an innovator and proponent of ‘doing development different’,  Jim founded and runs a national program focused on small scale incremental development. His Small Developer Forum is recognized throughout the industry as one of the most unique and empowering gathering of small developers who join together to learn, support one another and help advance the art and science of Building Small. Drawing on his own experience and the work of others seen during these programs, he authored Building Small: A Toolkit for Real Estate Entrepreneurs, Civic Leaders and Great Communities. Published in 2021 by the Urban Land Institute, Building Small has become a seminal textbook and source of inspiration for a diverse audience looking to build community, not commodity.

Jim works seamlessly with multi-disciplinary teams, bringing his design and real estate training to resolve complex challenges – focusing on enduring solutions  catalyzed by initial, immediate steps. With an emphasis on high quality communications, Jim works to build deep understanding for the ‘how and why’ of decisions – rather than just creating consensus. His collaborative, integrative, and effective team leadership is recognized through his participation or chairmanship of over 15 Urban Land Institute Advisory Service Panels – in places as diverse as Napa, CA; Ft Lauderdale, FL; Toronto, Ontario; and Moscow, Russia.

A sought after speaker for his energy, clarity and provocative ideas, Jim was a featured TEDx speaker in 2022.  He has keynoted conferences and symposia across the U.S. where audiences are looking for inspired ideas and new approaches to how to shape the built environment with practical methods.

Originally born in Pittsburgh, PA; Jim credits the diversity of places he has lived and worked – Springfield, Vermont; New Orleans; Denver; Phoenix; Boston; and San Francisco – for shaping his appreciation of how the built environment impacts quality of life, and the importance of regional identity for creating more interesting places.  Now living in the idyllic community of Healdsburg, California he shares these insights with clients and audiences across the globe.