Jim Collins has been the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of the Pacific since 2013 where he received a BS in Business Administration in 1981, while also teaching undergraduates in Family Business Management and graduate students in Accounting. His entrepreneurial career spans over three decades and he is a partner with B2BCFO® providing trusted business advisory services to privately-held companies developing strategies not only for growth but also for the transition of ownership to the next generation or a sale of the business. Unlike most business advisors, Jim has direct experience in developing exit strategies as he sold two wine bottling companies he co-founded at the end of 2013.

Prior to being admitted as a partner of B2BCFO® in 2015, Jim became a Certified Public Accountant. His practical management experience as a CFO provided the basis for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants awarding Jim the designation as a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He has also received Certification as a Family Business Advisor from the Galliard Family Business Institute.

Jim practiced as a CPA at Coopers & Lybrand, LLP, for nine years and had industry experience in industries such as high technology, real estate, and universities. In addition to providing assurance services, Jim also consulted with clients doing business valuations and restructuring.

For eight years, Jim was the CFO Pete's Brewing Company, one of America's largest and fastest growing specialty brewers, producing several craft beers including Pete's Wicked Ale®. Jim also was a member of the senior management team that developed and implemented the Company's business strategy to support the Company's hyper-growth, which achieved a compounded annual growth rate in excess of 280% resulting in Pete's was named by INC. Magazine as one of America's 500 Fastest Growing Privately-held Companies for three consecutive years before Jim led the Company's IPO in 1995. Jim had responsibility for managing the accounting, finance, production and procurement functions, including treasury, SEC reporting, investor relations, information systems, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management.

In 1999, Jim began a four-year venture into high technology first raising over $100 million in six months as the CFO and later became the COO managing sales teams in sixteen time zones for Commtouch Software, Ltd., and later as a partner with Tatum CFO Partners LLP, Jim was a provide business advisory services at Sanctum Software.

In 2001, Jim and his wife Dorothea moved their family to become wine grape growers in the Napa Valley. They also have developed a small wine brand launched in 2015, to complement their vineyard operations. Also in the Napa Valley wine and hospitality industries, Jim has been the CFO of St. Supéry Vineyards and Winery and for LIRCO, a family office managing 30+ companies in a family-owned conglomerate.

Jim is a member of the following professional and service organizations: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, The California State Society of Certified Public Accountants, AICPA Forensics and Valuation Services section, Galliard Family Business Institute, Napa Sunrise Rotary Club. Previously Jim served as the Chair, St. Apollinaris Catholic School Finance Committee, and the Winery Financial Group, an organization serving senior winery finance professionals.