James Gram holds a Ph.D. in Education and has had extensive teaching experience at all levels of education including university teaching. He has worked for C.I.D.A. in the Caribbean and as a consultant in Papua New Guinea. He has been a life-long boater and sailor and a long time member of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary where he was awarded the National Leadership Medal. As a marine Search and Rescue Instructor, he has authored or co-authored several Search and Rescue courses.