History
James provides global business advisory services to help clients create wealth. James can envision the future of business trends, identify those that clients should focus upon, and then use a vast personal network of business contacts to provide the various components that clients need to reach their targeted goals, and make money.James, a proven leader with an impressive track record in both the public and private sector, has provided confidential advice to Fortune 500 firms, private equity placement firms, governmental agencies (international, national, state and municipal), foundations, non-profits, faith-based organizations and individuals throughout the USA. James has networked and closed deals with numerous influentials. A seasoned speaker and conference presenter, James has served on numerous boards and advisory committees.
Clients include governments (states, cities, municipalities), Fortune 500 firms, non-profit organizations (involved in grass- roots community revitalization), and individuals, including regular folks who want to start up a business, as well as well- heeled Celebs (such as sports, music, entertainment icons) who want to own their own nightclub, restaurant, apparel shop, spa/fitness center, etc.
Corporate clients have included The Mills Corporation/Arundel Mills (Handover, MD), Florida Shopping Center Group/Dadeland Station (Miami, FLA), Catholic Charities/Cherry Hill Town Center (Baltimore, MD), Werner Capital/Coconut Grove Plaza (Miami, FLA), The Haskill Company/ Coconut Grove Plaza (Jacksonville, FLA), The McCourt Company {current owner of LA Dodgers}/Fishmarket Entertainment District (Boston, MA), Prime Retail/CocaWalk (Miami, FLA), Disney’s Pleasure Island/Orlando, FLA, Disneyland (Anaheim, CA ), GEDCO/Stadium Place (Baltimore, MD) and Global Concessions/Miami International Airport restaurants (Miami, FLA), City of Baltimore/Brokerage {currently known as Power Plant II} ((Baltimore, MD), Bethlehem Steel Corp, Sparrows Point, MD, and Maryland Stadium Authority/2012 Olympic Bid (Baltimore, MD)
A pioneering African American in the commercial shopping center industry, lead principal James P. Wilson took a leadership role in the corporate management model of leveraging people assets through diversity and teaming, and is experienced at leading multi-disciplinary teams in most major markets in the United States as well as the Middle East.
Cumulative project management sales and marketing staffs, nationwide, managed by James exceeded 84, generating retail sales in excess of $2.5 billion. Responsibilities expanded to managing 16 national retail chain accounts, institutionalizing “graduated rents”, "co-branding", and execution of “letters of intent”, becoming standards widely used in the industry today. During past tenures in Corporate America and military service, James repeatedly received distinguished performance recognition.
James has directed commercial real estate development management, retail merchandising and leasing for 14 regional urban marketplaces and shopping centers, comprising 16 states and associated field offices, with grand opening attendances in excess of 4.5 million spectators.
James managed a sales and marketing staff of 12 at Bayside Marketplace (Miami) with a budget in excess of $20,000,000, generating retail sales in excess of $100,000,000. Bayside ignited the birth of South Beach!
In 2008, James was engaged to provide Healthcare Retail Strategic Planning for Qatar Foundation/Sidra Medical & Research Center in Doha, Qatar (Middle East). The $9 billion medical campus being built in the new “Education City” –primarily for women and children -- will have the distinction as only the second all-digital, paperless healthcare system in the world. SMRC will have retail amenities to distract and reduce stress for the thousands of patients, visitors, families, and staff who come there. James is designing retail schemes that will allow for dining, shopping, fitness work outs, without leaving the medical campus. This requires figuring out which are the appropriate businesses to locate on the campus, designing floor plans for where each unit should be located, then actually recruiting “world class” businesses (such as cafes, florists, bakers, brand apparel, etc) to occupy and operate storefronts on the campus. If an individual has a great idea, but does not yet own a store, James helps with the business planning, market research, design, branding, financial component, construction, grand opening and marketing. James is busy searching the globe for world class, “best-in-class”, 5-Star restaurants and up-street brand retail, spa/fitness centers, etc.
In 2007, James was awarded an engagement to provide a Professional Business Plan for Brooks Development Authority in San Antonio. BDA is responsible for the commercialization of a 1,250-acre site (with 400 buildings), formerly occupied by Brooks Air Force base that is closing under BRAC.
In 2006, James helped complete a Market Condition Analysis and Retail Plan for the City of Frederick, Maryland.
In 2004, during President Bush’s State of the Union Address, a client, faith-based initiative project (Philadelphia) was highlighted. James provided feasibility, market condition, retail planning and financing assistance)
In 2001, James was engaged by Johns Hopkins/HEBCAC to facilitate a Professional Strategic Business Plan and community outreach for its $2 billion Biotechnology Park and neighborhood revitalization that required relocation of 500 families. James crafted “Rules of Engagement” that resulted in a Business Inclusion Agreement--- approved by the community and its political leaders--- that propelled the redevelopment initiative to the next level.
James has owned seven businesses (Detroit, Philadelphia, New York, District of Columbia, Maryland and California) in fields as diverse as business and economic development advisory services, development management implementation, retail, fast food and restaurant operation.
Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, James was a Regional Leasing Manager for The Rouse Company (regional shopping centers), Labor Negotiator for Bethlehem Steel Corporation (steelmaking) and a First Lieutenant, U. S. Army Intelligence Corps (assigned to nuclear missile security in Europe).
James assisted in development management of Santa Monica Place (L. A.), a regional shopping experience that served as the catalysts for the revitalization of renowned “Third Street Promenade” business district.
James has an equal ability to follow as well as lead in diverse team environments; Genuine interest in cutting-edge strategic planning and implementation; Understanding of the value of “brand” protection; Disney-style client service sensitivity; technology savvy and by all accounts a quick study.