Jim Comiskey

After working for several years in a variety of marketing positions for a Fortune 500 company, Jim took the entrepreneurial plunge. In 1970, he opened his first retail store—which grew quickly into a six-store chain. 

In 1982, he sold his successful business and started a new career as an author, speaker, and consultant to small businesses. He has written two books on small business management, including How To Start, Expand and Sell a Business. He has also developed video training programs, offered over 400 seminars and workshops for business owners, and worked as a management consultant for companies including Apple Computer, Pac Bell, and Intuit. 

Realizing the future of our country depended on an educated and motivated workforce—and wanting to help address that need—Jim refocused his efforts. 

In 1999, he wrote Career Strategies: How to Get and Keep a Job, which deals specifically with developing workplace skills and addressing the SCANS skills. Career Strategies was piloted by West Virginia's statewide summer youth program, where it was a hit with students and teachers alike. Not surprising. Jim had hired and trained hundreds of young people himself, so Career Strategies calls upon years of experience helping young people become workforce-ready. 

In 2000, the same program piloted another of Jim's books, Life Strategies: How to Succeed in School and Beyond. It was another big hit. Jim has also developed a hands-on Career Portfolio project. Jim brings to all of his books techniques and strategies that have proven extremely effective in the business environment -- and have a great impact in the classroom.