Jim Vance began his career in aviation as an officer in the United States Army helicopter training program and was an active Army aviator for five years. During that period he served in Vietnam and was decorated for valor.

Upon leaving the Army with the rank of Captain, he flew professionally while completing a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Aviation Management at Boise State College, Boise, Idaho.

After graduation he spent four years with Lester B. Knight & Associates, a large architectural, engineering and consulting firm based in Chicago. Starting as the business manager of their airport planning and consulting division, Mr. Vance then became director of the corporate flight department and manager of billings and collections for the entire company.

Moving into aircraft sales in the late 1970's, Mr. Vance quickly became the manager of the jet division of Joseph T. Barta Associates. At the time, they were a well-known broker of used business aircraft.

In 1979 Mr. Vance opened his own company, Vance Aircraft Brokers, and over the years he grew to understand the intricacies of the business while providing invaluable services to dozens of clients. Having joined forces with Rick Engles in 1993, Mr. Vance is today the chief executive officer of Vance & Engles Aircraft Brokers.