Jim began his career in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1991. He has served in numerous staff positions at the Flotilla to District level. He also served as a Vice Flotilla Commander, Flotilla Commander, Vice and Division Captain in Division 7 Eight District Coastal Region, Rear Commodore-West, Vice and currently District Commodore Eight Coastal Region. Jim, as the Commodore for the 8th Coastal, is responsible for 9 Divisions covering 7 states and 3 time zones stretching from Tallahassee Florida to the Border of Arizona. Jim also serves on the National Finance Committee for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association Inc.

Jim Vass is a 1964 graduate of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineer. He began his military career as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers serving 6.5 years of active duty and retiring from the reserve program with 28+ years of total service. While serving on active duty he served in Korea, Vietnam, Germany and the Virgin Islands. After leaving the Army Jim joined the Dupont Company and retired after 29 years of service as a Senior Project Engineer. While working with Dupont he was stationed at 7 different sites responsible for major construction activity: Richmond Virginia, Augusta Georgia, Beaumont Texas, Dordrich the Netherlands, Parkersburg West Virginia, Ulsan Korea and Victoria Texas.

Jim is a qualified instructor, vessel examiner, coxswain and qualification examiner. He has been recognized with the following awards during his association with The Auxiliary: Medal of Operational Merit, Auxiliary Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Sustained Auxiliary Service Award, and the Coast Guard Unit Commendation.

Jim currently works as a Consultant for Palmetto Management and Engineering. He is a Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and a Board Member of the local Coastal Conservation Association. Jim was born in Waynesboro Virginia and is currently living in Port O’Connor Texas on the Intercostal Waterway. Jim enjoys working with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and making contacts with the public. Jim also enjoys the recreational aspects of the water as a fisherman and hunter.