James grew up in Lynchburg, Va a part of a large military family. Three generations that served in WWII through the War on Terror with the 82nd Airborne. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 2002 and commissioned into the Army. He had the privilege of serving in Iraq and completing Ranger, Sapper, Jumpmaster and Special Forces courses. He loved his job as well as those he served with. James medically retired in 2010 after numerous combat and training injuries that left him a quadriplegic in a wheelchair.

He considers his injury as "a blessing by misfortune" which led him to start 2 non-profits. He is the founder and president of REACHcycles and VAU (www.VetsAU.com) that has supported over 5000 children and veterans with disabilities. He also works and volunteers for many other non-profits: SOCOM Care Coalition mentor, Quality of Life Foundation Family- Case Manager, Chris Reeve Foundation- Military Veterans Program MVP Coordinator, GWOT Memorial Foundation-Ambassador and Paralyzed Vets of America-member.

​

He is the proud father to his son Luke and husband to his amazing wife Amanda.