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James Verlin Kimsey

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Fathom Realty PB00068179

James Verlin Kimsey was born in Washington, D.C. back in 1939.  He grew up in Arlington, Virginia.  He was dismissed from Gonzaga College High School, and attended St. John’s College High School followed by Georgetown University for one term.  He then attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating in 1962.

He served in the U.S. Army where he saw action in the Dominican Republic and Vietnam.  He served three combat tours as an Airborne Ranger, two in the Vietnam War.  He was discharged in 1970 after serving eight years.  After being discharged, he opened a bar in Washington. D.C., it was so successful that he opened several more.  In 1983, he was brought in as a consultant for Control Video Corporation, by one of his West Point friends. By 1985, he was CEO, by the way, this is a teaser, the name was later changed.  He stayed in that capacity until 1995.  He was also a key investor in Triple Canopy, a private military contractor.  He died in McLean, Virginia of cancer in 2016, he was 76.

What you may not know about James is that he was the co-founder of American On Line (AOL).

Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today  

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NW Arkansas the home of WalMart, JB Hunt Trucking and Tyson Foods.

 

Come for a visit stay for a lifetime.  

 

URL http://www.sellnwa.com 

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, James Dray 

Feb 06, 2021 03:36 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Now that is a first, James... of course, I've never used AOL and know very little about it, so not surprising I had no clue about the founder of AOL.

Feb 06, 2021 03:46 AM
Barbara Tattersall
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan (Keene,NH) - Keene, NH
GRI

AOL used to be just about the only game in town for your internet. The name "Control Video" caught my eye. That could be an apt name for some of today's social media sites. Thank you, James.

Feb 06, 2021 04:30 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Hmm, AOL used to be extremely popular and had a lot to offer.  Is it even around today?

Feb 06, 2021 04:34 AM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning James,

Some of the old sites have become less popular and if it wasn't for business and being on a board of directors, I would cut the cord of the major sites today!

Make yourself an astonishing day.

Feb 06, 2021 04:36 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello James - as usual, I try to guess or "predict" what the back story of your profile from history might be.  No "luck" today. 

Feb 06, 2021 05:13 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Thank you for giving me a greater appreciation of AOL James Dray . I did not subscribe back in the day but later I did get, and still have, a free email account with them. That account is only used by me for special purposes.

Feb 06, 2021 05:38 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning James. Way back when I got an account with AOL. Still use that email as my main one to this day. Call me an old fart! Enjoy your day!

Feb 06, 2021 05:50 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, James, for sharing this story.

Take care, be safe and have an outstanding weekend.

Feb 06, 2021 05:51 AM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Good morning James Dray I cvan't think of America On Line without hearing that blasted dial up modem! LOL

Feb 06, 2021 07:32 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Kimsey did live a very interesting life but I never associated him with AOL James Dray 

Feb 06, 2021 08:19 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

James, it sounds like a man who made a lot of money in his lifetime :)

Feb 06, 2021 10:49 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi James- impressive. I had no clue where this was heading!!!!

Feb 06, 2021 01:08 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

He definitely had an accomplished & diverse career James. I loved it when I would hear "You've got mail" when I logged into AOL back in the day.

Feb 06, 2021 01:55 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

James,

One of our friends with you whom Ron was speaking to yesterday, was in on the beginnings of AOL.  A

Feb 06, 2021 02:17 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi James:

This was an interesting read! He certainly had a diverse career. You still see AOL emails now and then.

Jeff

Feb 06, 2021 02:32 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi James,  Thanks for sharing this great story of James Kimsey.  I remember how impressed I was with those first email transactions.  Opened up our world a lot back then.

Feb 06, 2021 07:23 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

James a brother Airborne Ranger and the West Point connection is uncanny too:)Endre

Feb 06, 2021 10:08 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Wow! Not only a soldier, but an Airborne Ranger; an entrepreneur; a manager; a CEO of a huge company. What could Mr. Kimsey not do?

Sep 03, 2021 10:59 AM