LEADERS & COLLABORATORS

We’ve built our business through personalized customer service and a commitment to operational excellence. We do the big things – and little things – right. Listening. Knowing your pain points. Being accessible and transparent. When you call us, you’ll speak to a person. Someone empowered to make decisions. At James Group, we are action-oriented thinkers that know the value of true partnership.

 
 
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JOHN A. JAMES

John A. James is Founder and Chairman of James Group International. A native of Starkville, Mississippi, Mr. James received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS in 1964. He also studied Guidance at the University of Toledo in 1965 and Business Administration at Wayne State University from 1969-1972. In 1966, Mr. James enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served until 1969. He was a Commissioned Officer in the Corps of Engineers and received a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal and the equivalents of these awards, which the Vietnamese government also issued to him. Mr. James is the first African American whose company was issued broad operating authority to transport automotive parts and other commodities in the State of Michigan. He is also the first African American nationally to be granted such authority by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to operate in interstate and foreign commerce since the ICC began regulating trucking in 1935. Due to his own business experiences, which includes taking his case for transportation authority to the U.S. Supreme Court, Mr. James makes every effort to share his knowledge and expertise with other minority business entrepreneurs attempting to enter the highly competitive business world.

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LORRON JAMES

When it comes to the James Group and our commitment to giving back, it starts at the top with our CEO. The moment Lorron graduated from Arizona State University, he was all in on leading by example. He worked for years as the Community Affairs Coordinator for MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, always looking for ways to help the communities around the people he loves. 

Now back home in Michigan and after serving as our Director of Supply Chain Management and VP of Business Development, he’s now leading us as CEO of the James Group. His passion for service continues with his time spent with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, the Board at the Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit Regional Chamber, YPO and his part-ownership of The Grand Rapids Drive. 

Sports and philanthropy are Lorron’s passions, but when it comes down to work, he’s all business. Appointed by Mayor Mike Dugan he was a member for the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority Board leveraging his deep knowledge of supply chain management to help develop one of the word’s most important ports. He was also tapped by Governor Rick Snyder to the Financial Review Commission helping Detroit rise from bankruptcy in 2014 to the powerhouse of the Midwest that it is today. 

Philanthropy, management, financial knowledge and pure leadership... We’re happy to have Lorron back home and leading us to years of unprecedented growth.