James B Simmons

I am an executive business leader and entrepreneur with more than 35 years of experience building, operating, and growing customer-focused businesses across the restaurant, hospitality, franchise, recreation, and service industries. Throughout my career, I have led organizations through growth, operational improvements, and changing market conditions while maintaining a relentless focus on profitability, customer satisfaction, and team development. As a business owner and executive, I have been responsible for every aspect of organizational leadership, including strategic planning, P&L management, budgeting, operations, human resources, recruiting, payroll, vendor negotiations, marketing, compliance, and business development. My experience managing complex, multi-department operations and leading teams of more than 40 employees has given me a practical, results-driven approach to leadership and execution. I have successfully owned and operated a variety of businesses, including full-service restaurants, sports bars, a 24/7 interstate travel center with a 200-seat restaurant and multiple business units, an 18-hole golf course with food and beverage operations, and a regional franchise business. These experiences have strengthened my ability to improve operational performance, develop high-performing teams, optimize processes, and create exceptional customer experiences. What distinguishes my leadership style is an owner's mindset. I make decisions based on long-term value creation, operational efficiency, financial discipline, and accountability. I enjoy solving complex business challenges, developing scalable systems, mentoring teams, and helping organizations achieve sustainable growth.