James Schellhase
CEO,COO, and CFO
James Schellhase has built a notable career over 25 years, serving as CEO, Board Chairman, and member of the Board of Directors for various industry-leading companies. Throughout his leadership journey, he has driven substantial revenue growth, led transformative strategic initiatives, and successfully managed company exits that brought significant returns to shareholders and investors. Known for his skill in revitalizing organizations at all stages of development, he has consistently positioned businesses—whether mature, emerging, or stagnant—as market leaders, increasing their market share through innovative thinking and strategic vision.
Schellhase's expertise lies in his deep understanding of business fundamentals, market dynamics, and consumer behavior, which allows him to guide companies on clear paths to growth. His strengths include complex deal structuring, strategic business expansion, and refining sales operations. He is a trusted advisor for private equity groups, venture capital firms, and large corporations looking to establish or expand their market presence.
Significant Leadership Achievements
Throughout his career, Schellhase has demonstrated a unique ability to turn ideas into successful business operations, build high-impact teams, and drive substantial fundraising efforts through IPOs and other financial initiatives. He has held key positions as COO and CFO of publicly traded firms and served as Board Chairman for various prestigious organizations, which has enriched his corporate governance expertise.
One of his most significant accomplishments was founding Breakwater Solutions, where he served as CEO. In this role, Schellhase led efforts to secure exclusive licenses for a range of IBM information governance products, and he oversaw the development of a state-of-the-art open architecture platform. He implemented a dedicated consulting practice to enhance this offering that aligned the platform with client needs through expert domain knowledge, automation, and operational excellence. This strategy allowed Breakwater Solutions to overcome common barriers in sales and deliver strong returns on investment for clients, setting a new standard for customer engagement and market impact.
Educational Background and Strategic Impact
Schellhase has played a pivotal role in mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising campaigns that have helped build companies with a robust global footprint. For instance, his strategic leadership at McCarthyFinch resulted in a profitable acquisition by ONIT, generating impressive returns shortly after the acquisition during an early revenue phase. Similarly, his leadership at DiscoverReady led to significant revenue and profit margin growth, culminating in a successful acquisition by Consilio, which brought high returns to investors.
Board Involvement and Professional Impact
Schellhase's extensive experience also includes his role in securing funding and leading StoredIQ, a company later acquired by IBM. Additionally, he has served in influential positions with various venture capital firms, guiding numerous startups and business turnarounds to successful outcomes. His academic credentials include a Master of Professional Accounting, a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and his CPA certification, reinforcing his financial and strategic business management expertise.
James Schellhase is driven by a commitment to helping companies achieve peak performance and long-term growth. His wealth of experience and proven ability to foster profitability make him a valuable partner for any organization aiming to navigate complex market environments and achieve strategic success. Through his leadership and guidance, companies gain the insights and support needed to advance in today's competitive business landscape, achieving sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Schellhase's expertise lies in his deep understanding of business fundamentals, market dynamics, and consumer behavior, which allows him to guide companies on clear paths to growth. His strengths include complex deal structuring, strategic business expansion, and refining sales operations. He is a trusted advisor for private equity groups, venture capital firms, and large corporations looking to establish or expand their market presence.
Significant Leadership Achievements
Throughout his career, Schellhase has demonstrated a unique ability to turn ideas into successful business operations, build high-impact teams, and drive substantial fundraising efforts through IPOs and other financial initiatives. He has held key positions as COO and CFO of publicly traded firms and served as Board Chairman for various prestigious organizations, which has enriched his corporate governance expertise.
One of his most significant accomplishments was founding Breakwater Solutions, where he served as CEO. In this role, Schellhase led efforts to secure exclusive licenses for a range of IBM information governance products, and he oversaw the development of a state-of-the-art open architecture platform. He implemented a dedicated consulting practice to enhance this offering that aligned the platform with client needs through expert domain knowledge, automation, and operational excellence. This strategy allowed Breakwater Solutions to overcome common barriers in sales and deliver strong returns on investment for clients, setting a new standard for customer engagement and market impact.
Educational Background and Strategic Impact
Schellhase has played a pivotal role in mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising campaigns that have helped build companies with a robust global footprint. For instance, his strategic leadership at McCarthyFinch resulted in a profitable acquisition by ONIT, generating impressive returns shortly after the acquisition during an early revenue phase. Similarly, his leadership at DiscoverReady led to significant revenue and profit margin growth, culminating in a successful acquisition by Consilio, which brought high returns to investors.
Board Involvement and Professional Impact
Schellhase's extensive experience also includes his role in securing funding and leading StoredIQ, a company later acquired by IBM. Additionally, he has served in influential positions with various venture capital firms, guiding numerous startups and business turnarounds to successful outcomes. His academic credentials include a Master of Professional Accounting, a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and his CPA certification, reinforcing his financial and strategic business management expertise.
James Schellhase is driven by a commitment to helping companies achieve peak performance and long-term growth. His wealth of experience and proven ability to foster profitability make him a valuable partner for any organization aiming to navigate complex market environments and achieve strategic success. Through his leadership and guidance, companies gain the insights and support needed to advance in today's competitive business landscape, achieving sustainable growth and operational excellence.
