Republican Who Was Considered By Trump For UN Ambassador Role Has One of the Largest Black-Owned Businesses

John E. James just lost his senate run in Michigan, but he is a major up-and-comer in Republican circles, and is part of BLACK ENTERPRISE’s BE100s – its annual listing of the nation’s largest, most-successful black-owned businesses.

President Donald Trump was reportedly looking at James to replace departing United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, according to some media outlets and sources acquainted with the situation. That has not come to fruition as media outlets are reporting former Fox news alum Heather Nauet is Trump’s pick for the next UN ambassador.

James’ Backstory

A Republican and Iraq War veteran, James was not successful in his bid to unseat Senator Debbie Stabenow in the November 6, election. James lost to the Democrat incumbent senator 46% to 52%.

James was reportedly in Washington, D.C. in the latter part of November to interview with Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and National Security Adviser John Bolton, a source said. Bloomberg News first reported that James was being examined for the position of United States ambassador to the United Nations.

James is president of James Group International Inc., a Detroit-based supply chain management company. The business was No. 27 on BE’s 2018 BE 100s Top Companies list, raking in $119 million in revenue last year.

He is the son of James Group International founder and chairman 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 ranked as a BE 100s company, an annual listing of the nation’s largest black businesses for many years.

A West Point graduate, James holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and Systems (Industrial) Engineering. He earned a master’s of Supply Chain Management and Information Systems from Penn State University Smeal School of Business in 2014, and an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business in 2015.

According to the company’s website, he currently serves on the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) Board of Directors, the Detroit Workforce Development Board and as a Member on the Michigan Council on Future Mobility Board of Trustees. Personal accolades include The Michigan Chronicle’s Class of 2014, “40 Under 40” and DBusiness magazine’s “30 in Their Thirties” in 2012.

James joined James Group International in 2012, and became its president in 2014. Since his arrival at James Group, its workforce has climbed notably, and revenue grew by $100 million. It estimated 2016 revenues of more than $130 million.