Atlanta, Georgia, United States
An innovative operations executive, business architect and brand strategist. He has life-long experiences of growing up in small businesses and from leading complex corporate enterprises, healthcare specifically. His vast and demonstrable background include hospital and system level strategy & operations, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), growth, development, and entrepreneurship including turnarounds, crisis management, business line development, market entry & defense, growth-to-scale, and navigating complex environments, to name a few. James’ skillset as an experienced operator and strategy executive is truly transferable in that he is a serial entrepreneur, an investor and an advisor in areas of business, healthcare practice management, brand development and infrastructure design for scale. In his career, he has worked for, led and advised organizations with capital reserves and net revenues in the hundreds of million dollar category with employees in the thousands to those with no budget, no cash flow and no hope. James credits his sustained successes and continued wins to building meaningful relationships, developing infrastructure - systems & processes and creating cultures of accountability all while having fun. He marries his experiences with a proprietary approach to growth strategy that he developed using principles learned during his journey of becoming a pilot. James grew up in his family’s portfolio of small businesses; these experiences developed his passion for community engagement, social awareness and entrepreneurship. He is active in and has held leadership roles in a host of local, state and national professional, civic and volunteer organizations. While formally trained, his real world experience speaks for itself. James holds a BBA in Finance from the Mercer University and a MSHA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is also Board Certified in Healthcare Management as a Fellow by American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). James has been featured in and honored by the likes of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “Forty Under 40”, 21st Century Leaders and the American College of Healthcare Executives. In seasoning his skillet, a reference to his “Cast Iron Skillet Philosophy” he’s also coined, James has taken on and further provides seasoning to his ecosystem - the communities, lives and environments that he lives in, serves and touches. Over the past four years, he has served as the Chief Operating Officer of a hospital system where he led in the successful sell to a Fortune 100 healthcare company.
CAVUstrategies helps companies, founders and investors to grow their new business or re-tool their existing business through the development of strategies + execution that enhance the business framework. Oftentimes companies, regardless of size, stage of funding or maturity, do not have the in-house bandwidth, 'know how' or the infrastructure (systems, processes or accountability) in place for scaled growth + sustained successes. CAVUstrategies works in many industry sectors with a niche expertise in operating + navigating healthcare.
Frank and Solomon Nixon Funeral Home is a third generation, full-service mortuary founded in 1925. The firm offers pre-planning and at-need death care in addition to aftercare in the Tifton, Georgia and surrounding communities. • Grew to the ranks of company learning all aspects of the service industry in the local and regional market. • Redefined market presence and rebranded the firm resulting in a doubling of call volume growth in two years.
Nixon Services of Tifton, LLC was founded in 2010 as a holding company that offers a host of business solutions including professional/executive car and limousine rentals, residential property leasing, billboards, mortuary support services and business consulting services. • Solely launched the company to consolidate business ventures and expand presence under one brand.
• Directly developed, grew, branded and launched the full-service, diversified practice in collaboration with the primary provider. Efforts included business plan development and execution, contract development, financial modeling, program development, facilitation of provider network credentialing, selection of electronic medical record and the establishment of provider referral relationships. This multi-disciplinary practice includes an accountability court division having managed several programs since inception. • Provided ongoing operational, development and strategic consultation.
A developer of community ecosystems through the Art of Transformation: - Real Estate Development - Arts & Culture - Entrepreneurship - Education - Family Services - Financial Empowerment - Innovative Enterprises Ten North Group is a 40+ year old affordable housing developer and community builder. During its history: built over 2,500 units of affordable housing representing $450M. Its current real estate portfolio consists of historic properties, commercial parcels, and over 1,200 affordable housing units. In addition, Ten North Group’s social, educational, and financial programs have served close to 4,000 youths, 6,250 children and families, and close to 2,500 first time home buyers, and its CDFI has provided loans and technical assistance to over 1,500 small business owners and entrepreneurs. IMPACT ● Led all company-wide strategy as well as marketing, internal and external communications. ● Re-tooled and orchestrated the organization’s art foundation including the production of its annual participation in Miami Art Week in partnership with the international art fair, Art Basel, and Greater Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) Art of Black Miami. ● Fostered the administration of the acquisition of the largest collection of contemporary art of the African Diaspora in the State. ● Led and re-tooled the strategic plan and operations in coordination amongst the boards and executive leadership. ● Re-instituted a fund development program. ● Fostered new and re-engaged historical relationships with strategic partners. ● Led efforts for the City of Opa-locka to be named as a Top 3 finalist being selected by the governor’s and legislative initiated Florida Museum of Black History Task Force. Public Private Partnership (3P) efforts included working with and presenting to Municipalities, County and State governmental entities as well as soliciting and partnering with individuals and organizations in the community.