Hamilton Evans James is an entrepreneur and businessperson who founded Swift River Investments, Inc., Hamilton Ranches, Inc. and DLJ Merchant Banking, Inc. and who has been at the head of 8 different companies. Currently, Mr. James occupies the position of Non-Executive Chairman of Costco Wholesale Corp., Chairman for Jefferson River Capital LLC and President & Chief Operating Officer at Blackstone Advisory Services LP.

He is also Co-Chairman at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Vice Chairman-Coldwater Conservations Fund at Trout Unlimited, Inc. and on the board of 10 other companies.

In the past he occupied the position of Executive Vice Chairman at Blackstone, Inc. and President of Blackstone Distressed Securities Advisors LP (a subsidiary of Blackstone, Inc.), Commissioner for The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (New York), Member of Technology & Competitiveness at President's Export Council, Owner at Hamilton Ranches, Inc., Chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston USA, Inc., Director & Chairman of Investment Banking at Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (Broker), Director & Chairman-Banking Group at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp., Director & Chairman-Global Investment Banking at Credit Suisse First Boston Corp. and Chairman-Banking Group at DLJ Merchant Banking, Inc.

He received an MBA from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree from Harvard College.