Jim has been Chairman of Sierra Financial Group, a management consulting group, since 1988.

Jim is a seasoned operating officer of both large and small companies, a veteran entrepreneur and has significant international experience, primarily in Europe. Jim is an accomplished senior executive with broad strengths in both general management and finance with repeated successes in start-ups, emerging businesses and larger, more established conglomerates and public companies. Jim co-founded four technology companies, two of which successfully went public.

A forward thinking entrepreneurial leader, team builder, skilled communicator and adept negotiator, Jim is recognized for broad strengths in strategic and financial planning and operational leadership. Jim has significant background in product definition, beta customer development and securing capital, including debt, IPO and VC funding. Jim has proven ability to analyze businesses, operations, and growth opportunities and then introduce strategic and tactical solutions that improve competitive performance while increasing revenues and profits.

As a consultant, Jim frequently participates as an integral part of client’s management teams and often serves as a mentor to the CEO and/or CFO. His line experience includes sales and marketing, finance, accounting, IT, legal and HR, plus years of corporate board level activities, permitting him to actively participate in advising and helping to grow his client’s businesses.

Earlier in his career, Jim served as Chairman, President, COO, CFO or group line officer of several public and private $100M+ companies with subsidiaries in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution and service operations (food, cosmetics, shoes, apparel, sporting goods, agriculture, contracting, containers, import/export, retailing and electronics).

Jim began his career in management services and auditing with Ernst & Ernst (Ernst & Young). His executive responsibilities have required his living in several regions of the United States, primarily Manhattan and San Francisco, plus Alaska, and traveling worldwide in the execution of those responsibilities.

He was also a former executive of the 40,000 scout Altaha New Jersey Council of Boy Scouts of America and co-founder of the California Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled.

Education
Jim holds a BBA in Professional Accounting from the University of Washington, Seattle and formerly practiced as a CPA for the firm of Ernst & Ernst, Certified Public Accountants, now Ernst & Young.