About James Steen
A serious buyer with the credentials to close.
What I bring to the table
I spent 13 years at United Airlines, a Fortune 500 company, in operations and commercial strategy, with direct P&L responsibility for route performance across the Newark and Washington Dulles hubs.
I then spent four years at a Big Four consulting firm leading M&A work, including due diligence, integration, and organizational transformation, across dozens of transactions. I know how deals get done, and I can move at deal speed.
I'm engaged, and I'm ready
- A serious buyer. I'm looking to close a transaction in 2027.
- A team behind me. My lender, accountant, and attorney are in place.
- Equity ready. My equity contribution to the down payment is available.
- One business, one site or many. I'm acquiring a single business, but I'm open to one with multiple sites or locations.
Education
- MBA
- Vanderbilt University
- BS, Finance
- University of Alabama
Why sellers and brokers choose me
- Proven at scaleFortune 500 operations and commercial strategy, plus dozens of Big Four M&A transactions. I know what a well-run business looks like and what it takes to get a deal done.
- Deal speedDiligence and integration are familiar ground, so I respond quickly and keep a transaction moving.
- Certainty to closeLender, accountant, and attorney in place, equity for the down payment ready, and a target of closing in 2027.
- A do-no-harm transitionI'm buying to operate for the long term, not to flip. I'll work with the seller and the seller's team on a seamless handoff that protects what they built.
Why I want to own a business
Small businesses power local economies, and I want to spend my career helping one grow.
- The path here
- Direct P&L responsibility at United, then M&A work at a Big Four firm, taught me how businesses run and how deals get done. Owning a business is a natural next step on my professional journey.
- Ownership
- When I own it, the results are mine. I'm accountable for them, and for the people who depend on the business.
Let's see if there's a fit.
If you own a business, or represent one, I'd welcome a conversation. No pressure.