After spending two years in the United States Marine Corps, Jim completed his education at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. where he received his BBA in Accounting. He then took a position with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. in Atlanta, a major international accounting firm where he specialized in auditing banking, financial and real estate concerns. His real estate career started with Cousins Properties, Inc. as Treasurer of two SBIC divisions. He then held financial management positions with Peachtree Center Management Company, a division of Portman Properties, Inc. in Atlanta.
In 1980, Jim accepted a position as Real Estate Controller for Arvida Corporation in Miami, FL. From 1980 to 1987 he held various corporate and divisional positions with Arvida including, Corporate Vice President in Real Estate Administration and Divisional President in Jacksonville and Atlanta.
In 1987, Jim and a group of other corporate officers left Arvida and founded a Florida based real estate company. Jim held the position of President. In 1989, Jim and several partners founded Davidson Development, Inc. and the rest is history.