Jay worked in banking for 29 years. He started his career in 1984 as a loan officer at State Bank of LaHarpe. In 1994 he went to State Bank of Colusa as Vice President and Loan Officer. He later became Executive Vice President and then President. In 2008 State Bank of Colusa merged with First State Bank and Jay continued working in Colusa and Carthage until 2013. At that time, he decided to go from farming part time to full time. Jay graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Ag Business. He served on the board of directors of State Bank of Colusa, First State Bank of Western Illinois and LaMoine Bancorp, Inc. He presently serves on the board of directors of Western Illinois Electrical Cooperative and McDonough Telephone Cooperative. Jay is also a volunteer fireman for the Colusa Fire Department.