Jim Ball – Sales Associate
Posted by Craig Barrett on Mar 25, 2012 in Newsletter | 0 comments
Jim Ball is a perfect addition to the staff at NBI Properties, bringing with him over 35 years of unparalleled business experience as a retailer and entrepreneur along the Emerald Coast. Throughout his career, he has owned and operated numerous retail businesses in the area, including Tooley Street, his first store in Destin, and Bungalows, Venus & Mars, The Buzz and Surfer Girl, just to name a few. Because of his vast knowledge in business management, financial analysis, valuation, lease negotiation, and property acquisition, Jim is uniquely qualified to expertly assist business clients to acquire, sell, or lease their businesses and commercial property.
Even though Jim just recently decided to become a realtor, over the years he has influenced real estate development via the leasing of thousands of square feet of retail space in Shoreline Village Mall, Destin Commons, Sandestin, Gulf Place, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, and Carillon Beach. He also served on the board of the Destin Harbor Business Association where he helped influence infrastructure and harbor improvements, as well as sitting on the board of the Destin Chamber of Commerce.
“Over the years, real estate in this area has seen it all,” said Jim. “We’ve gone from stagnant to boom and back to bust again. But the re-set button has been pushed and now we are seeing a rebound that is very promising! I have always believed the Emerald Coast is one of the most desirable locations in the country!”
Jim knows the difference between desirable and undesirable locations, as he has seen much of the world. He grew up overseas as the son of a CIA officer, living in Bolivia, Pakistan and Germany as well as northern Virginia and North Carolina. After graduating from the University of North Carolina, he was accepted to the Navy’s Aviation Officers Candidate School where he received his commission and pilot’s wings. He served in the Pacific and Vietnam while flying C-121s and his last duty station was at Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. He fell in love with the Emerald Coast while finishing out his career in Pensacola and then settled permanently in Destin in the early eighties.
After operating many successful businesses on the Emerald Coast for more than three decades, Jim was eager to finally throw his hat into the real estate ring. He’s excited about joining the staff at NBI Properties because of the upswing in commercial real estate interest in the area.
“With the Emerald Coast re-emerging as a prime tourist, second home, and retirement destination, businesses are looking for location opportunities up and down the coast,” explained Jim. “And since commercial real estate activity usually precedes residential, the future looks very bright!”
In his spare time, Jim enjoys golf, reading, entertaining, and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Courtney, and his son, Jake, live in Destin where they are big fans of some of the local restaurants, including Cuvee Bistro, Harry T’s, Tuscany, Bonefish, Marina Cafe and La Paz.