About Jim Balding & The ANT Group

Mr. Balding has been a leader in the Autodesk® Revit® software world for over 15 years. He founded the South Coast Revit User Group (SCRUG) and served as its president for 5 years. SCRUG is now the longest running Revit User Group in the world. He was the first Revit Product Chairman for AUGI (Autodesk User Group International) where he led the migration of the Zoog Forum into the organization. Jim was a co-author to Introducing and Implementing Autodesk Revit under the Autodesk Press label through 5 editions. He was a founding member of the Orange County AIA Technology Group, as well as an originating committee member of the USIBD where he served as the chair of technology. A founding committee member of the Revit Technology Conference (RTC), Jim currently serves as its Chairman of the North American Conference. He also serves on RTC’s Executive Committee where he helps guide the six conference brands under the RTC Events umbrella.

Jim has spent his career offering his architectural design experience to private clients, while also working as a consultant to AEC firms and property owners on the proper implementation of design technologies in workflow and operations. He has served as an advisor to numerous startups and has been involved in several software beta programs including those for Revit, AutoCAD, Avail, SketchUp, Buzzsaw, Skooter, Revizto, Fuzor, ConceptCAD, and Showcase, among others. Jim has also served as an AEC Advisor to companies like Autodesk, ArchVision, HP, and Wacom.

A sought after speaker, Jim has spoken at events and conferences the world over. He has provided inspirational keynotes on emerging technologies to audiences of over 1,000 as well as highly specialized BIM (building information modeling) presentations to concentrated groups. As a guest lecturer, Jim has presented at the University of Southern California, the University of Hawaii, Cal Poly, SLO, and several local Colleges in Southern California.

Mr. Balding has spoken at Engineering News Record (ENR) and was featured in their printed publication in an article about Digital Fabrication, Augmented Reality, and BIM. He has been interviewed for several other publications including Architectural Record and Obras. Jim co-authored the book Introducing and Implementing Autodesk Revit and is frequently a featured presenter at Autodesk University and the Revit Technology Conference. He has also served on architecture competition juries including the Radical Innovation Awards and the HOK “BIMies.”

When Jim’s not working, you’ll likely find him riding local bike trails, admiring the historic homes and buildings in his neighborhood, at one of his kid’s many swim meets and activities, or spending time with friends and family.