Prior to launching 5E Solutions, James was a partner with McKenzie for 8 years, an organization of approximately 15 diverse "profit improvement" professionals. While at McKenzie, James consulted for marquee companies such as:

 

• General Electric® (Conglomerate)          • Apple® (Computer)          • US Bank™ (Financial)          • Rite Aid™ (Retail)          • Staples™ (Retail)

• Chipotle™ (Restaurant)          • Chevys Fresh Mex (Restaurant)          • Williams Sonoma™ (Retail)          • Jamba Juice™ (Restaurant)          • Golden Corral™ (Restaurant)

James was a Controller of Cost Recovery for Footlocker™; under his leadership, the team produced millions of dollars of retroactive recoveries and go-forward savings. James also worked for General Motors® Corp., Kraft Foods™, and Helene Curtis Industries™. His responsibilities ranged from P&L analyses and sales finance supervisor to overseeing trade funds, A/R, A/P, accounting controls, and cost center budgeting. He participated in product launches, supplier negotiations, sales forecasting, sales quota analysis, and focus group management.

James has a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) degree, with a major in Finance and a minor in Operations Management, from Concordia University. In addition, James is a Certified General Accountant (C.G.A.); the C.G.A. is an internationally recognized professional accounting and auditing designation. Furthermore, James earned an MBA with "advanced standing" from McGill University, rated Top 20 in the world.

His knowledge and expertise in expenses and managing contractual relationships (leases, landlords, tenants, and subcontractors) is recognized and respected throughout the industry, which is why he is frequently asked to develop and present profitability courses at national conferences. From 2003 to 2007 James participated at the National Retail Tenants Association annual convention. The 2007 sampling courses included:

         • Energy Charges- a Utility Company & Landlord Perspective (OC-4)
         • Managing Those Energy Charges (OC-13)

"GE Corporate Properties & Services contracted with James Kafieh in 2005 to audit operating and tax expenditures for its domestic lease portfolio. James Kafieh delivered great economic value to GE in his identification of past overpayments, as well as opportunities to reduce on-going costs associated with pass through expenses in GE's domestic leased properties. We were extremely satisfied with the results achieved and will highly consider him for future auditing purposes."
— GE Corporate

"James Kafieh demonstrated a unique ability to leverage his education and experience to assist U.S. Bank to recover overcharges made against the bank. He consistently exhibited strong long-term commitment, negotiation tact, analytical skills, and 'big picture' skills. At the end of the day James brought to bear the appropriate resources to get the job done."
— US Bank Corporate Counsel