James E. Bryan was born in Paxton, Walton County, Florida, in October of 1947. Like most children born into farming or ranching families, he had an early introduction to hard work and shouldering day-to-day responsibilities. Hoping to help his family bear the burden of household expenses Jim's paid employment history began at the age of 10, when he took a job at a 200-cow dairy farm a mile down the road from his home. Twice a day — from four to seven in the morning and for another three hours after school — he milked dairy cows, earning $1.25 per milking.
The life of a farmer was all Jim knew when at 18 he enlisted in the Army as a paratrooper. Jim saw combat duty in Vietnam ultimately receiving the Bronze Star with V for valor, the Silver Star for valor, Purple Hearts for wounds in combat, and the Army Commendation Medal. As a professional soldier, Jim eventually advanced to the rank of Master Sergeant, which is the second highest enlisted rank in the Army, and finally to First Sergeant. "Being made First Sergeant was especially significant for me. It has the same E-8 pay grade as Master Sergeant, but it also carries with it the responsibility of being the top non-commissioned officer in a Company. Performing the duties of a First Sergeant in a troop unit demands the ultimate in organizational skills and leadership," Jim said.
At Ft. Sill and Ft. Bragg, Jim qualified as a Master Jumpmaster, a Weapons Test Manager for DOD major weapons systems, a Nuclear Weapons Test Manager, and a Master Gunner. As a result of his university work, Army training, and passing a very rigorous examination, Jim was also certified by the US Department of Transportation at Hazmat Level 4 to inspect and authorize shipments of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons by air, land or sea. Today, Jim takes special pleasure that at one point, when he was teaching a jumpmaster course, a brilliant young lieutenant named David Petraeus was in his class. After he completed his studies in business, accounting, and statistics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on the GI Bill, Jim started the Tarheel Towing and Trucking Company from scratch. The business, which he owned and ran for 10 years in Prescott Valley, Arizona, was very successful. During that time, he also helped the local Chamber of Commerce plan and recruit companies for an industrial park. In 1997, he sold the trucking company and moved back to the Panhandle to be close to family.
Jim and his wife Rhonda now live modestly in Laurel Hill, Florida, with their children Brittany, Nick, and Zachary.
Virtually all of his life Jim has been serving. He served his family. He served his nation and now he hopes to serve the people of Florida’s 1st Congressional District.