James Elsener

James Elsener was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in southern Michigan. After high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps serving for four and half years on active duty including a tour in Vietnam as a radio operator in an artillery unit.

After graduation from Western Michigan University he got his first journalism job as a reporter with the City News Bureau of Chicago and later worked for the Chicago Tribune.

He spent 47 years in the newspaper industry as a reporter, columnist, editor, association executive, advertising sales representative and owner/publisher.

He is now writing books and living with his wife Patricia in River Forest, Illinois. In his spare time, he plays handball competing in many regional and national tournaments.