GABB Member Jim Town Died July 16
Commencing in 1992 when Jim Town sold his last business and affiliated with Prime Business Investments, Inc., one of the oldest business brokerages in Georgia at that time, his practice evolved from intermediary services to a primary focus on finding value to maximize net sale proceeds. In early 2003, Jim moved to the Florida Panhandle and formed Business Evaluation & Appraisal, Inc., as a Florida corporation, while continuing as an associate broker with Prime Business Investments in Atlanta until late 2014. Additionally, he conducted commercial real estate transactions through Commercial Property Investments in Georgia and Florida, which Jim formed in 1992.
Jim had been a member of the International Business Brokers Association (www.ibba.org) since 1997 and became a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) in mid-1998. He also qualified as an instructor for IBBA on several courses offered nationally, helped write three courses, and served on the Education Committee for 10 years focused primarily on the CBI testing and certification programs. In 2007, Jim’s service to the largest business intermediary organization in the world was recognized when he was appointed a “Fellow of the IBBA.” He was awarded the “Lifetime CBI” designation in 2014.
As a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers from 1996 to 2013, Jim completed the basic 8-day course and examinations, advanced courses and annual continuing education courses.
In addition to being the qualifying real estate broker for commercial real estate firms in Florida and Georgia, Jim also held a Florida Real Estate Instructor license and helped establish the pre-license sales and broker programs at the Florida Panhandle Technical College (Chipley, FL) in 2005.
He served in the U.S. Army and saw active duty as an Infantry officer in Europe and South Vietnam with assignments in Infantry
units and logistics. He was discharged as a Captain (1965 – 1968), and continued his career in the U.S. Army Reserve with
assignments in transportation units, logistics staff positions, brigade commander, and as chief of staff for a command of
about 12,000 soldiers and a budget of over $85 million per year. He retired as a Colonel (1965 – 1995).
He earned a B.A., in Marketing from Michigan State University in 1965; completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Airborne Schools, 1965; completed the Transportation Officer Advanced Course, 1974; studied at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1981; U.S. Army War College, 1986. He held a Commercial Pilot License with Instrument and Multi-engine Ratings.
Town was at the heart of several Washington County economic initiatives, notably assisting in the development and addition of Commercial Intent Overlays to the existing Future Land Use Maps to better prepare for economic development.
Town was also instrumental in the conception of the 79 Corridor Project, the collaborative effort by the City of Bonifay and Holmes and Washington counties to improve sewer and water services along Highway 79 and ignite opportunity to grow a commercial and industrial development corridor in the area. The project was the first of its kind in the state, earning it the 2019 Florida Economic Development Council Rural Economic Development Deal of the Year award.
Town served on several local boards over the years, including the Tri-County Airport Authority and Economic Development Commission. The Washington County Chamber of Commerce presented Town with the Ole Ellis Washington County Lifetime Community Leadership Award in 2018 as a nod to his decades of dedication to the county’s growth.
This week, friends and colleagues are remembering Town as one of the community’s most prolific economic development leaders.
“Jim Town was a remarkable man,” said Ted Everett, Washington County Economic Development Executive Director. “His love for Washington County was never in doubt. He worked tirelessly and for no personal gain to move our county forward.”
“One does not meet many people such as Jim Town in one’s life. He was an exceptional person, a tireless worker, and used his vast knowledge accumulated through his many years of the corporate world to help grow Washington County. He will be missed by many, and Washington County has lost a true friend and champion.”
Attorney Bob Hughes echoed that sentiment, adding that Town’s knowledge regarding the potential impacts of land use amendments was beyond compare.
“[Town] knew the County Comprehensive Plan with zoning as well as anyone,” said Hughes. He … went into the field and could tell you which parcels had improvements which matched the comp plan maps and which didn’t. He was an invaluable asset to county officials in the land planning, zoning, and comprehensive planning areas.”
“Besides all of that, he was truly a fine person and gentleman,” added Hughes. “He was a proud veteran of his U.S. Army service to his country; He is unquestionably someone who the region will miss. I will miss his expertise and his friendship.