John E. James, president of James Group International Inc., (No. 24 on the 2016 BE 100s Industrial/Services Companies list), is looking at running for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.
Sources close to James confirmed he is considering entering the race in 2018 after being encouraged to do so by several Southeast Michigan community and business leaders.
The Qualifications to Be a Senator
They have formed the National Security and Opportunity Fund, a nonprofit group supporting qualified leaders with a message of national security and economic opportunity. Supporters swear that James has the qualifications to be a senator. He is a Detroit businessman, Iraq War veteran and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The NSO Fund has run advertisements making reference to its support for James, though it cannot specifically back a person given its non-profit status. The fund has run digital and social media ads at the 2017 Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference and plans to continue supports efforts this year.
“Michigan residents deserve a visionary leader with a fresh point of view in their representation” stated Anthony Fracchia, spokesman for the NSO Fund. “Now is the time to entrust a combat veteran who understands national security and focuses on economic opportunity for all Michiganders,” says Fracchia, who is also president and CEO of Altruis Benefit Consulting, an insurance brokerage group based in suburban Detroit.
Contesting the Democrat Incumbent
James would run as a Republican. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, is up for re-election next year. Republican Party activists are attempting to recruit a challenger to run against Stabenow—a two-term incumbent—in 2018.
Michigan businesswoman Lena Epstein of Bloomfield Hills formally announced that she is seeking the Republican Senate nomination in May. Retired Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert Young Jr., an African American, is also being urged to enter the race. Efforts to get a comment from James were unsuccessful.
Supporters contend his business acumen, military background, and leadership credentials make him a well-timed candidate.
Son of Detroit Businessman
James is the son of James Group International founder and CEO John A. James, a seasoned and eminent black businessman in Detroit. James Group International, the parent company for several management and logistics companies, has been a BE 100s company for many years.
He joined James Group International in 2012 and became its president in 2014. Before joining the Detroit-based company, James completed eight years of active duty military service as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer where he led two Apache platoons in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since his arrival at James Group, its workforce has climbed notably and revenue grew by $100 million. It estimates 2016 revenues of more than $130 million.
According to the bio on the company website, James has a bachelor’s degree in law and systems industrial engineering. He earned a master of supply chain management and information systems from Penn State University Smeal School of Business in 2014 and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business in May 2015.
A recipient of numerous business awards, James is now a board member of many organizations, including the Michigan Council for Future Mobility, Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, National Veteran Business Development Council and Detroit Workforce Development Board.