JIM HAS VAST EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE ELDERLY IN NJ. HE STARTED HIS CAREER IN 1995 AS MANAGER OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT- UNITED METHODIST HOMES OF NJ IN NEPTUNE, THEN MOVED TO EXEC DIRECTOR- FRANCIS ASBURY MANOR IN OCEAN GROVE. FROM 2000 TO 2007 HE WAS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE BRISTOL GLEN CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY IN NEWTON AND THEN CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- HOUSE OF GOOD SHEPHERD IN HACKETTSTOWN. HE ALSO SERVED AS MAYOR OF FREDON TOWNSHIP IN SUSSEX COUNTY. IN DECEMBER,2010 HE WAS APPOINTED NJ OMBUDSMAN FOR THE INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY BY GOVERNOR CHRISTIE. "HE MANAGES A STAFF DEDICATED TO SECURE, PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF NJ CITIZENS 60 YEARS AND OLDER RESIDING IN LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE FACILITIES." THEY HANDLE 5000 CALLS AND 3000 ABUSE AND NEGLECT ALLEGATIONS EACH YEAR WITH A BUDGET OF $10.5M AND A STAFF OF MORE THAN 120 WHICH INCLUDES 10 INVESTIGATORS IN 5 REGIONS. NJ HAS MANDATORY REPORTING OF ELDERLY EXPLOITATION FROM LICENSED LONG TERM CARE NURSING, ASSISTING LIVING, AND BOARDING HOMES TO THE OMBUDSMAN. VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES WORK WITH THESE LICENSED FACILITIES AND THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF THE ELDERLY.