Business
Profile: Charles H. James III – Chairman and CEO of C.H. James & Co.
Charles H. James III – Chairman and CEO of C.H. James & Co. PHOTO/BlackEnterprise
Charles H. James III is the Chairman and CEO of C.H. James Co.
C.H. James Co. is primarily an investment holding company with interests in wholesale food distribution businesses.
The company (C.H. James Co.) is recognized as the one of the oldest and largest African-American owned companies in the United States was established in 1883 as a bartering business that evolved into a wholesale fruit and produce distribution house serving independent grocers and restaurants by Mr. James’ great grandfather – C.H.James I.
Mr. James is the fourth generation of his family to run the business which he joined in 1985 after having graduated with an MBA from the Wharton School and focused on the government contracting sector for growth.
Between the years 1985 to 1992, C.H. James & Co. grew at a 32 percent annualized growth rate from a US$4 million local wholesaler into an international food distributor with revenues in excess of US$20 million.
In 1992, C.H. James & Co. was named Company of the Year by Black Enterprise magazine. The company’s operations have included international food distribution and food processing for high profile and demanding customers including the U.S. Departments of Defense and Agriculture, the Veterans Administration, McDonald’s, Yum! Brands, Wendy’s and Darden Restaurants.
At present, the C.H. James companies generate revenues in excess of US$100 million per year.
C.H. James Restaurant Holdings, the latest affiliate of C.H. James & Co. was formed in 2004 and over 40 quick service restaurants in Chicago in partnership with Goldman Sachs. The company is the largest African American Franchisee of Burger King Corporation.
Mr. James is a graduate of West Virginia University before graduating from Morehouse College in 1981 with a BA degree. After a short banking stint in Chicago, he earned his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1985.
He currently serves on the boards of Morehouse College, the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, The Children’s Hospital and the Steppenwolf Theater.
Source: West Virginia University