Jim was eleven years old when his family moved to Petersburg, Alaska. It wasn't too long after the move that he began his career as a fisherman. At the age of twelve, Jim began working on a commercial fishing boat and by the age of nineteen, just out of high-school, he bought his first boat, the Swift II. Five years later came his second boat, the Argo. During this time and throughout the early 80’s, Jim would spend most of the summers long-lining and then go crabbing in the winters. A major turning point came for Jim when he launched the first Kruzof in 1987, a long-liner vessel which processed the seafood on board. About ten years later came the new Kruzof which he currently operates outside of Seward. In August of 1988, Rhonda came into his life not only as a beloved wife but with a complimentary skill set that helped him reach his vision for the product he was catching. Jim also brought two young boys, Scott and Matthew into Rhonda's life who she helped raise from the time they were 2 and 5.