Mr. Rhodes has more than 50 years of experience as a journeyman writer and editor, specializing in marine electronics and maritime technologies. He was president of Rhodes Communications, Inc., serving international clients, and its subsidiary Marine NewsWire, a PR distribution service for commercial and recreational marine markets. He was also a founder and former co-owner of the annual SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization Conference and Exposition. He retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer with 30+ years of active duty and reserve service in the U.S. Navy with sea duty in Vietnam, Mediterranean, Caribbean and North Atlantic. Assignments included USS Savannah (AOR 4), USS Inflict (MSO 456), Special Boat Unit 24, EOD Mobile Unit 10, COOPMINEUNIT 2206, Inshore Boat Unit 25 and Inshore Boat Squadron One. He was a certified craftmaster for an 80-ft training vessel (ex YP), boat captain for a 65-ft MK3 combat patrol boat and instructor in boat handling, small arms, automatic weapons and combat operations. He was also the principal author for tactical manuals on waterborne force protection. He served as navigator on a large sailboat in the annual overnight Newport Beach to Ensenada ocean race for three years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hampden-Sydney College and a Master of Arts in English History from Georgetown University, and spent a term studying history at Exeter College, Oxford. Jim plays in weekly jams with the Tidewater Bluegrass Society and performs with the Gospel Lights bluegrass music group. His instruments include piano, banjo, dulcimer (hammered and mountain), mandolin, dobro, guitar, bouzouki, recorder, concertina, psaltery, strumstick, harmonium, tin whistle and spoons.