Jim Boland joined the Cavaliers Operating Company in 1998 as President and Chief Executive Officer and, effective January 2003, became Vice Chairman. A native of Cleveland, he had spent the previous 34 years with Ernst & Young.
Jim joined Ernst & Young after serving two years as an officer in the United States Army. He became a partner in 1976 and served as a member of the Firm’s Management Committee from 1988 to 1997. He also had operating responsibility as Vice Chairman and Regional Managing Partner of Ernst & Young’s Central Region from 1988 to 1996. In 1996 Jim developed and managed the Firm’s National Accounts Program and developed the methodology for serving the Firm’s top 200 Global Accounts.
In addition to his accomplishments with Ernst & Young, Jim also set high personal standards in contributing ideas, time and energy to many worthwhile civic, charitable and community activities. In addition he seeks action and results by convincing others to team with him to accomplish the program goals of community organizations.
He has served on the Boards of the Ohio Business Roundtable, Cleveland Tomorrow, Leadership Cleveland, and The Cleveland Health an Education Museum, University Circle Inc., Hawken School, Bluecoats, The Great Lakes Science Center and United Way Services’ Cabinet. He also has chaired the local Boy Scouts Capital Campaign, The YMCA Corporate Challenge, The March of Dimes “Walk-a-thon”, the Olympic Torch Relay Committee and served on The Rain Forest Development Committee. He chaired various benefits, including United Cerebral Palsy, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cleveland Sight Center, Alzheimer’s Association, the Ethnic Extravaganza for the Neighborhood Centers Association and the Achievement Center of Cleveland.
In the educational arena, Jim serves as a trustee of the Harvard Business School Club of Cleveland. As a John Carroll graduate, Jim has been a member of the Business School’s Advisory Board, Public Policy Council and Capital Campaign Committee. He received John Carroll’s Alumni Medal bestowed on alumni for distinguished service to a profession, exemplary family and personal life and contributions to the community. He has also been honored by the Ohio Cancer Research Association for his longtime support and other civic and philanthropic efforts and has received the “American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Public Service Award.” Jim also received the “Walk of Life Award” from the Irish American Archives society and recognized by the Irish American Magazine as one of “The 100 Most Influential Irish Americans in Business.”
Jim serves or has served on the boards of The Sherwin-Williams Company, Invacare Corporation, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, International Steel Group and DDR Corporation, as well as several private companies. He also serves as Chairman of Jobs Ohio and serves on the board of the center for Global Business Studies in Washington D.C.
He and his wife Muffy have six children and fifteen grandchildren.