James Schellhase
James Schellhase
CEO, COO, and CFO
CEO, COO, and CFO
James Schellhase is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience in senior leadership positions, including CEO, Board Chairman, and member of the Board of Directors for prominent organizations. Known for his strategic approach to revenue growth, operational transformation, and creating profitable exit strategies, he has consistently delivered notable value to shareholders and investors alike. A knack marks his career for revitalizing businesses at various stages of maturity—whether well-established, on the rise, or stagnating—and helping them claim substantial market positions through innovative thinking.
With deep expertise in understanding market dynamics, business drivers, and customer needs, Schellhase has steered numerous companies toward exceptional growth. His skills span complex financial structuring, aggressive business development, and streamlined sales operations, positioning him as a top consultant for private equity firms, venture capital groups, and corporations focused on strengthening their market presence.
Schellhase's career showcases his capability to bring business ideas to life, build solid and talented teams, and lead impactful fundraising efforts, including high-profile IPOs and secondary financial offerings. In his past roles, he has served as COO and CFO of publicly traded companies and taken on key leadership roles as Board Chairman for other well-regarded organizations.
As the founder and CEO of Breakwater Solutions, Schellhase was instrumental in securing exclusive licenses for various information governance products from IBM. He guided his team in developing a next-generation open architecture platform enhanced by an advanced consulting service aligned closely with clients' needs. By integrating deep industry expertise, automation, and operational excellence, he helped overcome common sales obstacles, achieving substantial returns on investment for his clients.
Schellhase has also significantly contributed to mergers, acquisitions, and corporate fundraising efforts, building companies with a robust global market presence. His tenure at McCarthyFinch is a prime example, where his strategic leadership culminated in a highly profitable acquisition by ONIT. This achievement delivered impressive returns within 14 months, even during early revenue stages. Similarly, at DiscoverReady, he drove remarkable revenue and profit margin growth, ultimately leading to a successful acquisition by Consilio and benefiting the organization's stakeholders.
Further showcasing his leadership, Schellhase initiated the funding and led the executive team at StoredIQ, which eventually became part of IBM. He also served in strategic positions within venture capital firms, guiding numerous startups and turnaround ventures to successful outcomes. He holds a Master of Professional Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, along with a CPA license, solidifying his finance and business strategy expertise.
James Schellhase is driven by a commitment to helping organizations reach their maximum potential. His extensive experience and proven track record of fostering significant growth and profitability make him a trusted advisor and asset to any company navigating the challenges of modern markets. His contributions continue to enable organizations to pursue success with clarity and direction.