James Linton, Founding Partner
James has 20+ years of experience in manufacturing. logistics and restructuring. James’ expertise includes the areas of finance, lean management, quality control, continuous improvement, supply chain, and leadership training.
In industry, James has primarily served as both COO or CFO for clients in transition and has helped them to return to profitability. James started his career at DaimlerChrysler as a graduate of the Chrysler Institute of Engineering Management, where he was able to experience all facets of the automotive industry from the design office to engineering to manufacturing to international financing and sales. During his rotations in manufacturing, James led several lean manufacturing initiatives while completing his six sigma Green Belt certification and later supervised both UAW skilled trades and production teams to build the underbodies at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant.
James later moved on to various consulting roles while obtaining his MBA and eventually signed on with the Whelan family to help restructure the family business. W.F Whelan Co. is one of the largest third-party logistics providers (3PL) and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operators in Metro Detroit. While at Whelan, James was primarily responsible for the accounting department, the FTZ warehouse and distribution operations, and the systems and information technology department. James helped implement several key performance indicators (KPI’s) across the business units that rolled up the financials to evaluate department contribution margins. James also restructured the Whelan management team that eventually led it to profitability after the 2008-2009 financial crisis. James later moved on while the family transitioned the business to second generation where it now strives to even greater heights.
James received his B.S. in Industrial Engineering (IE) from Wayne State University where he also played Tartar baseball and now serves on the IE Advisory Board. He also received his M.S. in Engineering Management at the University of Michigan Dearborn and an MBA in Finance at the University of Detroit Mercy. James is a certified analyst and a member in the Turnaround Management Association and has recently received his Executive Coaching certificate at UC Berkeley.
Most importantly, James is extremely grateful for his family and love’s spending time in nature while hiking and running the local trails or kayaking down the Huron River.