Jim Bob Schell was born and raised in Jackson, WY. His parents, Tom and Becky, owned and operated Vista Grande Mexican Restaurant until 2001. Jim Bob's passion for skiing and ski racing was fomented first through his experience in the Teton Village racing program led by Nathan Emerson and Bill McCaskill. He then joined the JHSC as a JIV racer, and his time with the club was transformative. His junior skiing highlights included placing 2nd in the J1 Junior Olympic slalom, and racing in the first NORAM held at the Grizzly Olympic DH course in Snowbasin.
Jim Bob earned his bachelor's degree in economics at the University of Missouri in 2005, but after a short stint in Spain and Boone, North Carolina he returned to Jackson in 2007 for his turn as a "Ski Bum". It was during this time that Jim Bob fell in love with the JH (Town) Downhill. Seeking more for his professional life Jim Bob returned to University, this time in Laramie, WY where he graduated with a bachelors in Energy Systems Engineering in 2014. He then worked in Cheyenne, WY for the Army National Guard as the Energy Manager. The call of Jackson was too strong, and Jim Bob and his new bride Marlie moved back home in 2018.
Jim Bob is currently a professional HVAC engineer with Energy 1. He specializes in ground source heat pump and hydronic system design. Along with his wife and their son, Aksel, he enjoys living in Hoback Junction, getting on the river and sailing when the weather is warm, and skiing when the snow flies. He watches every single alpine world cup race every season, and in 2023 made his pilgrimage to the Hahnenkamm. 2023 also provided the 3rd best day of his life, winning a JH Downhill Team Competition title and receiving the coveted Champion buckle was a dream come true.
