James McCarthy has 50+ years of experience in finance and private equity, successfully closing billions of dollars in transactions. JMC has been an investor, lender, investment manager, portfolio manager, financial advisor, corporate consultant, work-out consultant, and city planner. Clients have included domestic and offshore institutional investors, investment funds, hedge funds, high net worth investors, and private companies. Mr. McCarthy holds an MBA from Columbia University and a Master of City & Regional Planning from Rutgers University.

Highlights

  • Restructured on behalf of shareholders a private investment/merchant banking firm based in New York and London that specialized in opportunistic debt and equity transactions in North America and Western & Eastern Europe.
  • Advised on the ground-up establishment of two de nova bridge/opportunity real estate funds with capital provided by Amaranth Advisors and Liberty Harbor (Goldman Sachs) including personnel, policies, deal sourcing, structuring, and close and served as Chief Investment Officer.
  • Consultant at Paine Webber (establishment of new CMBS program) and CIBC World Markets.
  • Co-founded an investment boutique specializing in U.S. direct investments and investment advice for offshore investors and the company’s shareholders – primarily Middle Eastern and involving some of the earliest Islamic transactions in the US.
  • Re-established the Real Estate Investment Group at The Guardian Life Insurance Company including creating investment programs and establishing investment and risk management parameters; coordinating with the Chief Investment Officer, CEO, Chairman, and Board of Directors; recruiting professional staff and third-party consultants; establishing a joint venture development program, a national origination network, the first national property management “sweeping” cash management system, and increasing the portfolio in two years from $100 million to over $1 billion while achieving one of the highest performance ratings in the industry.
  • At the Chemical Bank Investment Banking Group, Mr. McCarthy managed real estate debt and equity investments by the asset management and trust groups of the bank and advised offshore investors on US real estate.
  • As Supervising Principal Planner, Mr. McCarthy was intimately involved in the Jersey City “Gold Coast” development as well as housing and economic development, historic districts, residential development and rehabilitation, and transportation planning/funding including development of a light-rail system and was responsible for approximately 70% of the City’s non-education budget.

Jameson Capital (1994 – Present)

Jameson Capital, established in 1994, advises on real estate investments and finance on the corporate/platform and project level, including strategic planning, capitalization, re-structuring, joint ventures, deal origination, transaction negotiation and closing, short-term and long-term debt and equity (especially creative and innovative solutions for complex transactions), asset management, and review of investment performance.

Intercap Investments (1990 – 1994)

Mr. McCarthy co-founded an investment boutique specializing in U.S. direct investments and investment advice (corporate, real estate, venture capital, trade finance, and equipment leasing) for offshore investors. The investors were primarily Middle Eastern and involved some of the earliest Islamic transactions in the US.

The Guardian Life Insurance Company (1987 – 1989)

Mr. McCarthy substantially re-established the Real Estate Investment Group including creating investment programs and establishing investment and risk management parameters; coordinating with the Chief Investment Officer, CEO, Chairman, and Board of Directors; recruiting professional staff and third-party consultants; establishing a joint venture development program, a national origination network, the first national property management “sweeping” cash management system, and increasing the portfolio in two years from $100 million to over $1 billion while achieving one of the highest performance ratings in the industry.

The portfolio’s performance was one of the highest in the industry and included straight debt, participating debt, joint ventures, and new construction. Among other investments, Mr. McCarthy negotiated a 50% equity interest in a new medical office building in return for dropping a trespassing charge and established a highly regarded – and highly profitable – underlying co-op mortgage program in New York City.

Chemical Bank (1983 – 1986)

Assistant Vice President
Real Estate Investment Advisory Services (“RIAS”)
Real Estate Investment Banking Group (“RIBG”)

RIAS was a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank responsible for equity investments by the asset management and trust groups and advised offshore investors on US real estate. RIBG was the real estate arm of the Investment Banking Group.

Mr. McCarthy was involved in over $500,000,000 in transactions including structuring a major masterlease/purchase option/debt financing on a New York office property and the re-positioning and sale of an Ohio office park at a substantial, short-term profit and one of the first real estate-backed Eurobonds.

City of Jersey City (1976 – 1981)

Supervising Principal Planner

Mr. McCarthy worked on the redevelopment of the Jersey City “Gold Coast” – Exchange Place, Liberty Park, and Newport City including the initial planning, funding, and developments.

Mr. McCarthy was involved in housing and economic development, historic districts, residential development and rehabilitation, and transportation planning/funding including development of a light-rail system.

Mr. McCarthy was responsible for funding approximately 70% of the City’s non-education budget, was liaison with HUD and with various community groups and city council members (through a Neighborhood Planning Program that he designed and implemented), served on the statewide transportation planning committee and on a Gubernatorial Conference on Housing.

Education

Columbia University, 1983
MBA, dual concentrations in Finance and Money & Financial Markets

Rutgers University, 1976
Master of City & Regional Planning, dual concentrations in Housing Economics and Land Use Law