Jim Downing has over 30 years experience in management, marketing, finance and strategic planning in both large and small companies.  Most recently he was co-founder and president of A/R Funding of Florida, an accounts receivable management and factoring company.  In January 2007 he sold his interest in A/R Funding and now devotes his time to volunteer work and philanthropy.  Prior to A/R Funding, Jim was the Director of Southeast Operations for the Property Tax Consulting Practice at Ernst & Young.  He has also held management positions in the venture capital division of EXXON and in the strategic planning and product forecasting departments at IBM.  He began his business career as a sales representative with IBM.

Jim’s community involvement includes the Orlando Rotary Breakfast Club where he serves on the board of directors.  He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and he received the District Hands of Service Award in 2003.  He is a member of the board of directors of both the YMCA Metro Board and the Downtown Family Center Board.  Jim has served on the Y’s Strategic Planning Committee and currently serves on the Audit Committee.  He was the Youth Scholarship Chairman for the Y Association in 2003 and 2004 and was given the prestigious YMCA Champion of Youth Award in 2005.  Jim is a reading mentor and tutor at Orange Center Elementary School, an inner city school located on the west side of Orlando.   Jim has served as an Applied Economics teacher for Junior Achievement and is a 1982 graduate of Leadership Orlando.

Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University and is currently completing his PhD in Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida.  He served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 1972.