From 1982 to 1985 was employed as a Systems Analyst at Arthur Andersen (now Accenture). 

 

In 1985 co-founded The Martec Group: 

A global market research and consulting firm 

Founding Partner; also served as President from 1998 to 2020 

Offices in the US (Chicago, Detroit, Tampa), Europe (Frankfurt Germany) and Asia 

(Shanghai China); affiliate offices in Brazil, Chile, Japan and India 

Clients have included a wide variety of Fortune 1000 companies and Private Equity firms

Was integral to the development of Martec’s Emotion Intelligence offering, an AI-driven tool that quantifies the emotional connections to brands, products and decision processes 

The Martec Group celebrated our 40th year anniversary in 2025 

 

An alumnus of the Chicago Chapter of the Young President's Organization (YPO); was an active member from 2001 to 2010. 

 

Involved as an investor and advisor in businesses ranging from banking and private equity investing to tech IP, food/beverage production and wholesale distribution. 

 

Currently an Alumni Board Member and past President of the Board of Directors at CommunityHealth, headquartered in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago, and recognized since 2015 as the largest free and charitable clinic in the US. 

 

Current President of the Chicago 502 and Board member of the Armed Forces Council of Chicago. The Chicago 502 is an organization that supports active soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division, US Army, and their families. 

 

Current Purdue alumni involvement includes: 

Endowed the Jim and Laura Durkin IE Scholarship in 2020 

Member of the Purdue Alumni Association and the President’s Council 

With his wife Laura, was a member of the College of Engineering Parent’s Council (2022-2024) 

Is an active John Purdue Club member (Olympian level) 

Inducted into Purdue’s Office of Professional Practice Hall of Fame (2025)

 

Jim and his wife Laura have twin daughters, Gabi (Purdue BSIE Class of 2024, pictured above with Jim) and Stefi, and live in Evanston, IL.