James P. Reid / 2010 Top 40 Under 40

Age 39 Place of Birth Belfast, Ireland Where you live San Francisco, California First Job Machine operator /Office clerk at a quarry What it taught me How work with different personalities and backgrounds. Organizational and management skills to complete tasks effectively.

Status Married Family Catherine Reid. We are excited as we are expecting our first child on February 14th. Three things people would be surprised to know about me 1. I hold the rank of Master in Martial Arts. 2. I play the fiddle. 3. I am a certified scuba diver

Best advice you could give someone starting out. Be consistent and reliable. Dream big but be realistic. Dont hestiate to take on new responsiblities and challenge oneself.

James Reid was born in Belfast, Ireland where he lived for a few years before his family moved to Fintona, Co. Tyrone. Reid is the second eldest of four children born to Seamus and Angela Reid. He joined Fintona Pearses Gaelic football club at young age while attending local schools, continuing his education at the local college and training center in Omagh where he earned his City and Guilds craft certificate and advanced craft certificate in carpentry and joinery.

Reid began his career as a carpenter and moved to London where he soon became an independent contractor. While in London, he worked on projects including Barclay's de Zote Web. Soon after, Reid moved to Barcelona, Spain and worked on the Hotel Olympia in preparation for the 1992 Olympics. His next stop was New York, before eventually arriving in San Francisco, California. He became a licensed contractor in California and started his sucessful construction company, Tycon Builders Inc. Despite all the moves, James has stayed consistent with his training in Martial Arts for over 22 years and recently received the rank of Master Black Belt in the art of Tang Soo Do. He is excited about his newest venture, the opening of Health & Wellness Arts Center to teach martial arts, yoga and chi kung. Reid's connection to Ireland has remained important to him throughout all his travels.

Upon settling in San Francisco, he quickly became involved in local Irish organizations, including the Ulster Gaelic Club, Pearse and Connelly Fife and Drum Band and Irish Northern Aid. James is currently on the Board of Directors of the United Irish Societies, which organizes many Irish events throughout the year such as the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival. Reid is passionate about the reunification of Ireland and the end to partition. Most recently he has helped to organize the Campaign for a United Ireland. Their goal is to promote and educate Irish America and gain popular support for a united Ireland at both the local and state levels across the country. Many Irish American organizations have already become actively involved. At present, there have been a number of resolutions adopted supporting a United Ireland including one by the California Democratic Party.

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