A native of Queens, New York, Craig M. James joins Barrie House Coffee as chief executive officer. Mr. James comes to Barrie House Coffee with over 22 years of business and leadership experience from ExxonMobil Corporation where he developed a robust international business acumen in strategic planning, marketing, sales, operations, business analysis, controllers and customer service. Prior to his career at ExxonMobil, Mr. James has over 8 years’ experience in the culinary industry as a chef and pastry chef for some of the most notable restaurants and patisseries in Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Leveraging his entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. James founded and managed International Pastries specializing in wedding cakes and specialty desserts.
Mr. James earned his Associates of Occupational Science degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York graduating from their illustrious chef program. In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania. In 2005, Mr. James graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree in International Strategy & Management from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Building upon his formal education, Mr. James has successfully completed additional programs at Kellogg School of Management in Chicago and ExxonMobil leadership programs at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona.
A strong supporter of charities and veteran organizations, Mr. James is active in the community providing his time and financial support to the United Way, Team RWB, Career Gear and Junior Achievement. During Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, Mr. James dedicated his time working in the community to ease the suffering of local Houstonians and provide much needed support to first responders through volunteerism at local emergency shelters, cooking and providing logistical support for Operation BBQ Relief and supporting the local community programs. A culinary aficionado, Mr. James likes to spend his free time with his wife Carla travelling the globe experiencing new cultures, people and new foods. He also is quite active with surfing, skiing, diving, wakeboarding and enjoys cooking, baking and playing the guitar.
Sessions
The Wonderful World of Coffee