We cannot thank the talented temps that have joined our team enough for their contributions this past year. This week, we’re happy to introduce you to Jim!
Jim Harty has spent the last 13 years working in Commercial Finance, supporting clients in everything from SBA Loans and Conventional, to Private Placement and Equity Investment. Prior to his work in the corporate world, he was a Human Resource Specialist in the US Air Force. His favorite job he had during that tenure was as the Equal Opportunity Officer and Community Relations Specialist at Osan AB in South Korea. He spent 9 years on active duty, and he says it was his first duty assignment at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks that solidified his love for Alaska. Jim has now lived in Alaska for a little more than 14 years in total and currently resides with his family in Chugiak.
In his free time, Jim enjoys hanging out with his family, including his wife and three daughters. They really enjoy camping and hiking year-round and are all active cross-country and downhill skiers. Jim says one thing folks might find surprising about him is that he originally hails from South Jersey (accent long gone, though his wife disagrees about that when he gets excited). He’s a Philadelphia Eagles fan (sadly, but faithful), and loves a good cheesesteak and “the shore.”
What he says he finds most exciting about his work for the SBDC is that it exists for the sole purpose of helping business owners. In Jim’s words, “They’re not selling ANYTHING, it’s really a bunch of experts that constantly talk, network, and brainstorm just so they can help someone succeed! You don’t have to spend much time at the watercooler before you see the enthusiasm and collaboration take off, just to help someone win!”
Alaska’s small business community is important to him because “the majority of people who live here are secretly Frank Sinatra fans humming ‘I Did It…. My Way.’” He thinks Alaska is awesome and sees so many growth opportunities, as well as opportunities to figure out new ways of doing things (he cites this as one possible positive to come out of COVID-19, for example.) He feels Alaskans are resilient and creative, and that we stick together and help those in need.
Says Jim, “We don’t need rules and regulations to tell us this, we automatically do it anyway. The Small Business Community has and will lead the charge. I’m always surprised and amazed by the number of businesses that start off because people enjoy it, want to help others, and/or both. And then the synergy that is created (new jobs for others, new income and investment opportunity for the owner, new benefits to care for people) is awesome and overwhelming.”