James is transforming professional services by providing business leaders with integrated legal, financial, and investment solutions. Specializing in complex exits, liquidity optimization, and tax minimization, he focuses on helping veteran and owner-operated businesses achieve seamless transitions.
In 2018, James founded Polymath Partners with a vision to offer comprehensive services that integrate legal, financial, and investment expertise. One of his most impactful innovations is Dealshield™, a solution that redefines how private business owners approach liquidity events and exits. Dealshield™ maximizes outcomes, reduces tax burdens, and ensures smooth transitions in even the most challenging markets.
James's career began on Wall Street during the 2007 financial crisis, where he excelled in managing complex equity trades. His success led to a role at AEGON NV, where he introduced investment strategies and managed nearly half a billion dollars for healthcare institutions by the age of 25. His passion for improving retirement systems led to a partnership with Lehigh University, where he helped develop risk assessment tools for public retirement plans.
After AEGON, James founded Worksite Group, an alternative investment firm that offered integrated professional resources for businesses. He later became head of the Princeton-based Venture Fund, Innovation Garden, where he helped grow startups like HulaFrog, TrustEgg, and Beauty Booked, reshaping industries and communities. His innovative leadership earned him advisory roles, including CEO Advisor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Innovation Center and Chairperson of the MIT Enterprise Forum’s Philadelphia Chapter.
Beyond the business world, James has been active in community service. He served as Executive Director of the ICE Foundation and Homeland Security Policy Council, leading initiatives like the Homeland Security Global Citizen’s Academy and Anti-Human Trafficking Programs. Partnering with firms like Baker McKenzie and Thomson Reuters, he helped create job opportunities for trafficking survivors. In 2021, James expanded his global reach, serving as Special Advisor on Economic Policy and Trade for the Curaçao Free Trade Zone, shaping policies to drive business growth and attract foreign investment.
James lives in the Pocono Mountains with his wife and three children. He enjoys whisky collecting, gourmet cooking, and saber fencing. An avid swimmer, he is training for the 2025 English Channel Relay, having previously completed the Navy SEAL Hudson River Swim. His personal and professional life reflects a commitment to mentorship, helping others embrace authenticity and integrity in all aspects of leadership.
