Relevant Expertise

  • Invaluable strategic insights, hotel franchising and hospitality expertise and leadership capabilities rooted in his broad experience across senior roles at global companies in both finance and legal departments. Jim has been at the table for nearly every strategic decision since the inception of Wyndham Hotels and its predecessors and possesses a unique, intimate understanding of the business. He plays a critical role in facilitating robust debate in the boardroom as the Lead Independent Director.
  • Deep understanding of risk management and governance honed from his experiences as the General Counsel at Cendant and York Capital Management. James’s legal acumen, coupled with his executive oversight, has contributed significantly to the Board’s oversight of corporate strategy and risk management in the competitive hospitality landscape as well as Board governance.
  • Extensive M&A expertise gained through his background in investing at York Capital Management and from advising public companies on dozens of acquisitions during his tenure as a General Counsel at real estate, travel and hospitality-focused companies Cendant and HFS, including the acquisition of the Days Inn and Super 8 brands.

 

Career Highlights

  • Vice Chairman of York Capital Management (2007 – 2012) and General Counsel of York Capital (2010 – 2012)
  • General Counsel of Cendant Corporation (1997 – 2006) and Vice Chairman (1998 – 2006)
  • Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of HFS Incorporated (1992 – 1997) and director (1994 – 1997)

 

Other Public Company Board Experience

  • Travel + Leisure Co. (formerly Wyndham Destinations) (2006 – Present; Lead Director, 2010 – Present)
  • Cendant Corporation (1998 – 2006)
  • PHH Corporation (1997 – 2005)
  • Wex Inc. (formerly Wright Express Corp) (2004 – 2005)
  • HFS, Inc. (1994 – 1997)

 

Other

  • Sparta Insurance Holdings, Inc. (private Board Director 2007 – 2012)
  • New York Philharmonic Director (2006 – 2013)
  • Fordham University Trustee (1999 – 2022 with a year off between terms)
  • Marymount Manhattan College Trustee (including Chair) (2010 – 2015)