James is a husband, father, grandfather, keynote speaker, author, and a friend to many.

He is a seasoned leader with over 35 years of experience in healthcare, specializing in

helping individuals achieve a harmonious blend of leadership and life through self-

awareness and the reduction of both internal and external bullying. His work focuses on

empowering people to build stronger, more effective relationships, both personally and

professionally, by enhancing their communication and listening skills.

Throughout his career, James has held significant leadership roles, including

owner/operator of a private speech-language pathology practice, assistant professor,

Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Executive Officer. He has managed organizations

with operating budgets of up to $800 million and led teams of over 4,000 Full-Time

Equivalent Employees (FTEE). A proud U.S. Air Force Veteran, James also served as a

Senior Executive Service Member in the Veterans Health Administration, where he

contributed to shaping policy and leadership within the federal government. He holds a

life appointment by the President of the United States of America.

As a keynote and inspirational speaker, James is passionate about guiding others to

discover their full potential. His mission is simple: to equip people with the confidence to “one another”, fostering kindness, collaboration, and respect. His vision is to reduce

bullying by coming alongside the accusatory voice within each of us and partnering,

paving the way for a safer, more compassionate world. James is also a certified

Professional Christian Leadership Coach trained by the Professional Christian Coaching

Institute and Coach Training Institute. Hot off the press in November 2024, James

released his book: Chemical Courage: Reframing the bully within for a healthier world.

In this book he carefully protects the identity of over 70 anonymous contributors who

shared stories of being bullied and gives a compelling message from a near death

experience of his own.

James is also an ordained minister, a budding author, and a lover of music. He enjoys

playing guitar and writing worship music, finding inspiration in the beauty of life, faith,

and service. He and his wife, Brenda have two grown children. They live in rural

Wisconsin, where they cherish time with their granddaughters and bird and squirrel

watching.

At his core, James believes that people are beautiful and have much to beheld—both

within themselves and in the relationships they cultivate. Through coaching, he helps

others discover this truth, enabling them to flourish with and for one another.