James E. Fleet

Bio

Jim Fleet is a Senior Managing Director and Shareholder at Phoenix Management Services with more than 30 years of executive management and advisory experience. He has led the Phoenix Boston office since its inception.

Jim’s advisory experience includes more than 100 engagements in which he managed or provided material guidance in turnaround/restructuring, investment banking—both M&A and refinancing assignments—and extensive transaction advisory assignments ranging from Quality of Earnings and Enterprise, cross-border, platform, and roll-up environments for all enterprise capital providers.  He is an expert in executive leadership in serving as interim CEO, CRO, and CFO roles as well as bankruptcy financial advisory.

His track record of success in a wide array of corporate environments, including private, public, international, and family-owned companies demonstrates his unique ability to adapt to the distinctive elements of each assignment. His style is to advocate strongly on behalf of his clients in a manner that builds consensus among all constituents, providing a credible and efficient process producing measurable results.

Life Before Phoenix

Prior to joining Phoenix, Jim spent considerable time in the manufacturing, advertising, and distribution sectors in roles ranging from Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, COO, and President/CEO in industries including precious metal manufacturing, insurance, hospitality, and advertising services.

Education & Affiliations

Jim graduated with a B.S. in Economics and Finance from Southern New Hampshire University in 1984. He is a past President of the Northeast Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA). He is active in the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG). Given Jim’s broad experience and communication presence, he often is asked to lead and speak on panels at industry conferences on a variety of subjects pertaining to turnaround management, restructurings (CRO), and bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings.

Featured Transactions

CRO, Public Health and Wellness Company: Guided the company through a private 363 bankruptcy sale.

Interim CEO, Technology-Based Security Print and MES Software Private Equity-Backed Company: Led the Company’s transition from a niche printer to technology providing complete turnkey supply chain and manufacturing software solutions.

Crisis Manager & Public Spokesperson: Retained by multi-generational and multi-family owned 100 year old entertainment and lifestyle company.  Led the diverse family group through a professional wind down, closure & monetization of the company assets.  Inclusive was the successful negotiation with municipal agency in avoiding an eminent domain legal fight resulting in significantly higher return for the sale of the assets

Interim CEO, PE-Backed Consumer Products Company: Stabilized the business and captured market share as the Company, which provided branded, non-branded, and OEM products, was consolidated into a larger entity.

Financial Advisor, Privately Held Machine-to-Machine Tool Vendor: Led the Company to profitability after nearly three years of losses.

Chief Restructuring Advisor, Multi-Location, Family-Owned Equipment Leasing Company: Led the Company to profitability after two years of losses had created a liquidity crisis.

Chief Restructuring Advisor, Multi-State Environmental Technology Company: Restructured operations and balance sheet with new capital coming into the Company allowing ownership to retain significant equity position.

Financial Advisor, Family-Owned Printing-Fulfillment Industry: Led the Company to profitability after nearly three years of losses and expansion of its existing credit facility.

Financial Advisor, Various Investment Groups: Managed the completion of operational/financial due diligence across a wide variety of industries and transaction types.

Financial Advisor, Privately Held Manufacturing & Distribution Company: Managed the $8.5 million sale through to close.

Financial Advisor, Privately Held Machine Manufacturer: Managed the refinancing of the $30 million company.

Interim CEO & Financial Advisor, International Publicly Traded Software Technology Company: Managed the $38 million sale of the $15 million company, which had offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific Rim.

Interim CEO & Financial Advisor, International Revenue-Branded Consumer Products Company:  Led a $35 million recapitalization of the company, which was worth more than $100 million.

President & CEO, Precious Metal Manufacturer: Directed the Company’s bankruptcy filing, reorganization, and subsequent emergence in fewer than seven months. The Company enjoyed several years of profitability and growth during Jim’s tenure until the Company’s investors monetized their investment nearly five years later.

Assignee for the Benefit of Creditors: Have served as an Assignee in the sale of assets (“ABC”) and other fiduciary roles on over 25 assignments.

Transaction Advisor to several capital providers including senior revolving/term lenders—regulated & unregulated, mezzanine capital and various private equity and family offices.  Blend of domestic and off-shore projects include wide variety of industry sectors