JAY OVERBYE

The ABC Television Network's "The Bachelor"

Jay Overbye, 40, a successful New York residential real estate agent, is a romantic and truly looking to fall madly in love. Having never been married, he is at a place in his life where he wants to get married and start a family, and believes that marriage is something that should last forever and only be undertaken one time.

Jay, who is extremely close to his family, is one of seven children - five boys and two girls - and has ten nieces and nephews, whom he visits frequently. So it's no surprise that he wants his own family - and soon! It's just a matter of finding the right woman, one who is "generous, financially responsible, intelligent, adventurous and someone who loves life," according to the attractive bachelor.

Jay applied for "The Bachelor" after discussing it with his family and friends, and attended a New York casting call. His strategy is simple: just be himself. He also believes that communication is the most important element of a relationship.

The Ridgewood, New Jersey native grew up in Massachusetts and attended the College of Wooster in Ohio, graduating with a degree in communications.

His high powered and wide-ranging career has taken him from the public relations staff of the Cleveland Indians to working as an advertising account manager at Young & Rubicam in New York to working in advertising sales for PC Magazine, from 1988 to 1993. Jay then decided to start his own computer networking business with a friend, in April 1993. After nine very successful years building their business, the two men sold the company in May 2002, and Jay took some time to travel the world and did some modeling. In February 2003 he returned to New York to pursue a career in real estate. Although Jay has only been involved in the business for a brief time, he has become a successful residential real estate agent, enjoying the sales aspect of the business, as well as his interaction with his customers.

A big history buff, Jay is an avid fan of the History Channel and also loves to play golf and go boating, as well as traveling internationally, when he is not selling some hot property.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Ridgewood, NJ
BIRTHDATE May 29