Jim Talen was born and raised in the small town of Highland in northwest Indiana. His father worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company and his mother was an elementary school teacher. After two years at Calvin College, he married Pat Triezenberg and they settled in Grand Rapids. Jim graduated from Calvin with majors in both philosophy and elementary education. He taught first, second and third grades at Jenison Christian School in the late seventies. In the 80's and early 90's Jim was the Assistant Director of Baxter Community Center. For the past ten years Jim has worked with computers at the Grand Rapids Christian Schools.

Jim and Pat have three children who all graduated from Calvin College. Emily (28) is married to Michael Schmidt and teaches 8th grade math at Vista Charter Academy. Evan (24) does communication and design work for a youth camp near Los Angeles, California. Elliot (23) works as a local wine merchant.

The Talens live at 323 Paris SE, in the the Heritage Hill neighborhood, where they have been active volunteers in a variety of roles. Jim has been a long-time active member of the Heritage Hill Finance Committee

Jim and Pat attend First Christian Reformed Church at Bates and Henry where they  have both served in a variety of leadership roles.

Jim was first elected as a Kent County Commissioner in 1992 and served four 2-year terms. He left the commission in 2000 to spend more time with his family while his children were still teenagers.

In his spare time, Jim works as an usher at the VanAndel arena, plays bass guitar for contemporary worship music at his church and spends quality time with friends and family.