James Irl Williamson was born at Ft. Knox, Kentucky in Hardin County, in 1957. He was raised in Greene County Missouri. He graduated with an AB degree in Public Administration and Foreign Service from William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri and received an Education Administration  master’s degree from the University of La Verne, in La Verne, California.

Beginning in the 1980s, James would serve 15 years in technology acting as a sales/marketing manager. Tasked with developing new sales and marketing management structure and services, he also created new market development opportunities. He facilitated trade shows, training seminars and created over 1B in value for those companies.