James Brooks

James Brooks has been an Independent Consultant for Venture Capital and Private Equity at the Institute of Strategy and Valuation since April 2014. He has multi-industry experience including the private equity and venture capital investments activities of companies ranging from Fortune 200 to small businesses and advising private endowment and investment managers. Additionally, he led and managed matrix teams working on high technology engineering projects valued up to $2.5 billion in time-sensitive, mission-critical environments.

Brooks also has the ability to quickly understand complex technologies and ideas and translate information into business opportunities. His leadership, financial analytical, creative thinking, problem solving, and international business skills have assisted organizations in achieving business objectives.

Brooks worked as a Consultant at Breen-Crawford in the Greater Chicago Area from May 2009 to March 2014. He performed investment analysis on possible equity and fixed income investments for over 20 early-stage companies in various industries ranging from consumer goods to biotech companies. This analysis included discounted cash flow, fundamental and technical analysis, as well as industry-specific relative valuation analysis based on recent transactions in both publicly-traded and privately owned companies.

Brooks participated in investment meetings and developed quantitative models to manage capital allocation and return-on-investment analysis based on senior management’s guidance to remove emotion from the investment process.

Brooks developed comprehensive financial models for budget forecasting, cash flow management, operational variance analysis, and complex financing and capitalization scenario analysis using various combinations of equity and debt.

Brooks also worked as a Senior Financial Analyst (focusing on Financial Planning & Analysis) at Exelon, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois from January 2008 to May 2009. He developed comprehensive financial and operations models for a $6 billion energy company. He forecasted and compiled annual, quarterly, and monthly profitability, discounted cash flow, operation scenarios, and financial reporting to the senior management. He reduced month end financial report preparation time by 90% through model development and enhancements that improved analysis and forecasting. He was responsible for monthly/annual financial reporting packages, annual budget planning, and monthly/annual variance analysis while supervising and mentoring junior analysts.

Brooks holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Economics at the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA degree in Finance, Applied Economics, and Strategy, Execution, and Valuation.

About Institute of Strategy and Valuation

The Institute of Strategy and Valuation provides ‘extremely practical’ education and training programs for existing and future businesses and finance leaders through partnerships with corporations, universities, and trade associations. The institute also conducts seminars and courses around the world.