James R. Barchiesi 

Executive Chairman 

Revolutionizing Professional Services for America's Front Line

James is redefining professional services for today's business leaders. He specializes in masterfully integrating legal, investment and financial solutions to dramatically improve client outcomes.  James primarily works with veteran and owner-operated businesses – especially on helping them navigate complex exits, maxmize liqudity, and reduce tax burdens.   

In 2018, James founded Polymath Partners to offer integrated professional services to business owners, combining legal, financial, and investment expertise to help them achieve their business goals. As the firm expanded and sought out new opportunities to help business owners, James led the creation of Dealshield™—a groundbreaking solution that has transformed the way private business owners approach liquidity and business exits. Dealshield™ helps owners maximize liquidity, minimize tax burdens, and ensure a seamless transition, offering a truly effective path to selling businesses in a challenging market.

From Wall Street to Global Influence  

James's career began in the tumult of 2007 on Wall Street, where he excelled in complex equity trades. His keen insights led him to significant roles at AEGON NV, where he introduced innovative investment strategies and asset management techniques that substantially advanced healthcare institutions, managing assets approaching half a billion dollars by age 25. During this time, his passion for bolstering retirement plans took shape, leading him to collaborate with Lehigh University's Integrated Business and Engineering program to develop cutting-edge risk assessment tools for public retirement plans. 

Architect of Integrated Professional Services 

Following his time at AEGON NV, James founded Worksite Group, marking a pivotal moment in his career. His innovative approach to creating an alternative investment firm that provided integrated professional resources captured the attention of industry leaders, eventually leading him to direct the Princeton-based Venture Fund, Innovation Garden. Under his leadership, transformative projects like HulaFrog, TrustEgg, and Beauty Booked thrived, reshaping industries, and enhancing community well-being. This success established James as a global thought leader on high-impact consulting, culminating in prestigious roles such as CEO Advisor at the University of Pennsylvania's Innovation Center and later Chairperson of the Philadelphia Chapter of the MIT Enterprise Forum. 

Driving Economic Growth and Community Impact

In 2012, James took a bold step toward public service, running for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with a vision to foster business growth and workforce development. Though he later refocused his efforts, his passion for community and economic empowerment remained strong.

At Worksite Group, James worked with policymakers and nonprofits, which led to his roles as Executive Director of the ICE Foundation and Homeland Security Policy Council. He spearheaded global initiatives like the Homeland Security Global Citizen's Academy and Anti-Human Trafficking Programs, forging partnerships with Baker McKenzie and Thomson Reuters to create job opportunities for survivors.

In 2021, James expanded his influence as a Special Advisor on Economic Policy and Trade for the Curaçao Free Trade Zone, where he continues to help shape policies that boost business growth and attract foreign investment.

Speaking Engagements: Voice of Influence & Thought Leadership

James is a globally recognized speaker, known for delivering powerful insights at top platforms like Wharton's Conquering Consulting Speaker Series and the Thomson Reuters TrustLaw Innovation Conference. He engages business leaders and entrepreneurs with dynamic, strategy-driven talks focused on transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. His key topics include:

• Executive Evolution: Weaponize Your Business, Optimize Your Life

• Profit Power Play: Reimagining Cost Centers as Growth Engines

• Legacy Unleashed: Transforming Enterprise Value into Generational Wealth

Beyond the Office: A Life of Passion and Purpose

James lives in the Pocono Mountains, PA, with his wife and three children. Outside the boardroom, he enjoys whisky collecting, gourmet cuisine, and saber fencing. An avid swimmer, he's training for the 2025 English Channel Relay, having previously completed the Navy SEAL Hudson River Swim. Passionate about leadership development, James mentors elite executives and teams, fostering authenticity and integrity in both their personal and professional lives.

Education & Professional Credentials  

• B.A. in Political Science, Concentration in International Political Economy 
• Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland 
• Diploma in Advanced Portfolio Management from New York University 
• FINRA Series 65 - Investment Adviser Representative 
• Juris Doctor Candidate, 1L