Jim retired in 2023 after a 41-year career practicing structural engineering; primarily in the San Diego / Southern California region. He was a partner in the prominent firm Hope-Amundson Structural Engineers and was involved in the design and construction of hundreds of high-profile projects within the life sciences, healthcare, higher education, commercial, and public sector markets. In the latter part of 2017, Jim and his business partner made the decision to sell and merge their firm with Coffman Engineers. The merger was highly successful which resulted in him remaining with the firm for over five years before retiring.
In addition to his business achievements, Jim was actively involved in his profession including serving as President of the Board of Directors for the Structural Engineers Association of San Diego, the Structural Engineers Association of California, and the Applied Technology Council. In 2015, Jim was honored with the induction into the College of Fellows of the Structural Engineers Association of California.