James "Jim" E. Lara Email & Phone Number

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

By “simplifying the business of business aviation,” members of the Gray Stone Advisors team work with all levels of aviation and host organizations to help their business aviation operations achieve the highest level of performance excellence. They do this by helping business aviation leaders align flight department operations with corporate expectations, quantify and express the value provided by aviation operations, establish impactful performance metrics, communicate effectively with all executive users, develop flight department leaders and create both long- and short-term business and fleet utilization plans.Key Achievements:• Conceived, initiated and now oversees a highly successful worldwide consulting enterprise.• Completed 17 major turnarounds to desired financial and operational results in the specialty retail, business and commercial aviation, manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and transportation/logistics industries, among others.Responsibilities:• Transforms under-performing organizations and companies, as well as helps solid enterprises take their execution prowess to the next level.• Sets the overall strategy, tone and vision for the firm, while maintaining a thriving entrepreneurial culture.• Serves as a strategic business partner to corporate executives and board members.• Developed and leads a management team with responsibility for serving clients of all sizes.• Identifies and develops superior individual talent and high-performance teams.For nearly two decades, Jim Lara and his team at Gray Stone Advisors have combined their experience in business and aviation to support flight department leaders and company executives who continually strive to achieve “best in class” performance. Their goals are simple – to share their industry perspective, become a trusted advisor and operate as “force multipliers” for their clients when needed.

Tempe, Arizona

MedAire, a global medical assistance provider, has assisted passengers and crew around the world with medical and travel safety services since 1985. The company’s primary markets are in business aviation, commercial aviation and private maritime, with operations in Asia, Europe and the USA.Key Achievements:• Architected a turnaround strategy to achieve maximum profitability by stabilizing leadership, focusing on core competencies and shedding unprofitable operations. • Successfully implemented a long-term growth plan designed to further the company’s role as the leading provider of medical and health services to remote travelers worldwide.• Served as board member, functioning as Lead Director, responsible for initial and follow-on round funding; key talent acquisition; and the transition from start-up to corporate operating techniques.• Consulted with the CFO in the design and implementation of “right sized” accounting and finance systems; provided leadership coaching and team development; and assisted with acquisition strategies to achieve growth.Responsibilities:• Oversaw operations for the business/commercial aviation, private maritime and commercial maritime markets.• Achieved year-over-year double-digit growth and profitability.• Ensured operating results that met and/or exceeded predetermined targets.• Developed and maintained investor confidence.• Identified sources for and secured funding when necessary.

Brunswick Boat Group (BBG) is the world’s largest manufacturer of pleasure boats in the world. Privately held, the BBG was formed in 2000 to manage the Brunswick Corporation's nearly 45 boat brands. From 2000 to 2005, the BBG doubled in size and acquired 13 additional brands.Key Achievements:• Successfully turned around a struggling organization through the implementation of a client-oriented, service-driven, team-focused culture.• Achieved national recognition for leadership, innovation and safety.• Reduced costs by 27% while raising traveler service quality levels and aircraft availability.Responsibilities:• Maintained executive, fiscal and operational management of the entity’s business aviation and commercial travel operations.• Recruited and mentored key personnel.• Ensured operational excellence and service across all business lines.• Oversaw all day-to-day operations for two critical business units, business aviation and commercial airline travel.