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James M. Donovan, CPA, Realtor/Broker

Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA (808) 883-3331

(Greenwich Mean Time minus 10 hours)

A seasoned executive as NBC's next Apprentice

Dear Mr. Donald Trump or other interested individual:

I will get right to the point. None of those wet-behind-the-ear Apprentice applicants that I have seen on TV can come anywhere close to me. I realize that the show is edited, but it seems as though the Apprentice applicants regularly ignore common sense fundamentals such as cost of goods sold calculations!

I challenge you and the network to select a group of true business journeymen for an Apprentice contest. However, regardless of whether I am placed in a room full of seasoned veterans or young pups, I will show you that I have the ability to (1) productively enhance any management group, (2) provide effective leadership, and (3) successfully go "toe-to-toe" with anyone.

As such, I hereby submit my responses to the questions contained on your published standard application form. Take a few moments to click a few clicks, and get ready to meet the CPA who will forever change the stereotype image of the boring accountant who is sporting a green eyeshade. Meet a different breed ... Jim Donovan.

Education ... Occupation ... Employment history ... Co-workers' description ... Impressive achievement

Why I have been successful in business ... Major event that affected my life ... Something embarrassing

Why I am the ultimate choice



Education

In addition to my Bachelor of Science degree in Business with both Accounting and Finance majors, my post graduate education consists of law school, extensive professional continuing education and specialty coursework with licenses/certifications in a variety of interesting areas including real estate, software development, baseball umpiring and truck specifications ... more

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Occupation

Presently, I am an independent real estate broker in the State of Hawaii and I also operate the KonaBaseball.com adult hardball league.

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Employment History

Prior to becoming a real estate broker, I devoted a substantial portion of my career to the computerized income tax field as a key executive in a number of companies within that industry. My other professional experiences include public accounting (tax, audit and SEC compliance), software development and specialty work in the hotel and restaurant industry ... more

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Co-workers' description

I believe that my co-workers would describe me as one with an upbeat attitude and a good sense of fair play, also citing my thoroughness and attention to detail ... more

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Impressive achievement

In 1976, as a result of Presidential Appointment, I served the Republican National Committee, the Republican Congressional Committee, and the President Ford Committee in the political fundraising effort and the computerized thank-you letter writing campaign ... more

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Why I have been successful in business

My success is due to my optimistic "all-possibilties" style of CPA/programmer thinking and the fact that I am not afraid of failure. Some see the glass as half empty, others say the glass is half full. From my point of view, it’s ¼ of the way toward doubling the capacity ... more

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Major event that affected my life

The loss of my father was most significant event in my life. The day he died is when I truly realized what responsibility is all about. A first-generation management executive of the Haloid-Xerox Corporation, my father was my mentor - the real "original", and I am his photocopy ... more

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Something embarrassing

When I ran for United States Congress, I made it a point to research and abide by all counties' and islands' rules regarding political signage limitations, only to subsequently overhear someone ridicule me for my naivety (because everyone else was breaking those rarely-enforced laws) ... more

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Why I am the ultimate choice

Whether performing in the real business world or involved in NBC's special projects for the Apprentice TV show. I am the one who gets the job done. With emphasis on the big picture, I have an eye for the details that separate the excellent from the mediocre. I maintain high ethical principles and am a powerful, follow-through executive, both as a team player and as a leader ... more

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