James Staton Jr.

Current
Founding Partner Top Flight LLC
Greater Los Angeles Area Management Consulting

Previous
President CEO Debriants Office

Education
College - The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

Summary
Business executive, public speaker, motivational speaker, published author in national and global magazines. Board member and strategic advisor to CEO's. Mr. Staton has lead turnarounds, specializing in leadership development, executive coaching, maintaining personal balance while achieving life goals. Facilitating success as defined by our constituents, helping them to do well while doing good.

At Top Flight LLC, we identify, groom, nurture and train the best of the best business owners and entrepreneurs. We validate business owner performance standards to meet corporations Tier 1 requirements. We expand opportunities for businesses with an established Tier 1 relationship, diversifying their base to ensure their sustainability in the market place. We provide educational resources, tools and connections enabling both suppliers and corporations to mutually succeed in the achievement of their respective goals and objectives.

Collectively our country benefits with job and wealth creation across the board.

Mr. Staton served as President and Chairman of the Board.

Debriant Office Services, Inc., in Charlotte, NC.

Mr. Staton is responsible for the efficient operation of all policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors. Within the limits of approved responsibilities entails financial, legal, personnel, administration, marketing and communications.

I developed and manage a maintenance, facilities management-program that details standard/non standard MRO expenses. These requirements are segmented by labor, material and time thus reducing expenses.

Additionally, the program ensures full compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

National Minority Supplier Development Council
Chairman National Minority Enterprise Input Committee
As Chairman, Represented 16,500 Ethnic Minority Businesses on the Executive Committee and Board of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Headquartered New York, NY.

We had 39 affiliate councils in the United States. We have established a council in Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil. We have mission in play in South Africa and China.

Also served as
NMBEIC Operating Guidelines Committee Chairman:
• Revised and upgraded National Guidelines.
Opened voting to entire membership for officers.
Increased accountability of officers with enhanced job descriptions.
Enhanced removal process of officers.
Got national office cooperation and certification of our guidelines.
Got approval and adoption of the majority of the MBEIC leadership of the guidelines.

NMBEIC Elections Committee Chairperson: Standardize elections process with document operation guidelines.
Standardized )

Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council
Charlotte, North Carolina Area
-Board and Executive Committee Member

-Elected business owners of both North and South Carolina
-Served on field Services (Bylaws and Guidelines)
-Helped facilitate creation of strategic plan
-Helped development of Local and National MBE Orientation Manual
-Oversaw local and national leadership orientations
-Oversaw survey that obtained an unprecedented 99% response level in NMBEIC
-Oversaw local and national awards process
-Co-Chairman certifications committee
-Chaired certifications appeal committees

Managing Director
Hoist Manufacturers Institute

Mr.. Staton was responsible for the efficient operation of all policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of this industry group. Within the limits approved responsibilities entailed financial and legal control, operations, personnel, administration and communications.

Managing Director
Crane Manufacturers Association

Mr. Staton was responsible for the efficient operation of all policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of this industry group. Within the limits approved responsibilities entailed financial and legal control, operations, personnel, administration and communications.

Managing Director
Monorail Manufacturers Association

Mr. Staton was responsible for the efficient operation of all policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of this industry group. Within the limits approved responsibilities entailed financial and legal control, operations, personnel, administration and communications.

Management Executive
Overhead Material Handling Systems Council

Mr. Staton was responsible for the efficient operation of all policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of the related industry groups. Within the limits approved responsibilities entailed financial and legal control, operations, personnel, administration and communications.

Management Executive
Plastics Manufacturers Product Section MHI

Mr. Staton was responsible for the efficient operation of all policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of this industry group. Within the limits approved responsibilities entailed financial and legal control, operations, personnel, administration and communications.

Director of Membership.
The Material Handling Industry Alliance.

Mr. Staton was responsible for recruitment, retention, services, training, education and support to associated trade groups and associations.During his tenure, membership nearly doubled and revenues increased by more than 80%.

Director of Sales.
Material Handling Alliance International Trade Show.

This show was promoted in 125 countries, encompassing more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit space. The attendance of his last managed show exceeded 30,000 attendees from more than 50 countries. Mr. Staton worked with the US Department of Commerce, US consulates worldwide, The White House, Governors, Mayors and numerous government agencies including the FBI and CIA. Mr. Staton developed a network of agents and sales associates to serve this 55 Billion-Dollar industry.

Vice President of Sales.
Trade Show Group, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mr. Staton coordinated, managed and promoted the Purchasing Managers Associations annual trade show and the Smaller Manufacturers Council’s trade show in addition to other local and regional trade shows.

Plant Engineer.
Miller Printing Equipment, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mr. Staton directed a workforce of 32 tradesmen in this union shop. This 80 Million Dollars business was the last American manufacturer of sheet feed printing presses. Mr. Staton was responsible for the maintenance, safety, security and support of this 24 hour manufacturing process. This 250,000 square foot facility employed 500 people during his tenure. Mr. Staton conceived, developed and managed a maintenance, repair and operations budget of 2 million dollars and supported a capital project budget that averaged 10 million dollars annually.

Industrial Sales Engineer
Mechanical Transmission Supply, Pittsburgh, PA.

This entailed the sales, service, replacement and new installation of equipment and systems powering industry.

President and Project Director.
Staton Associates, Pittsburgh, PA.

This facilities management-consulting firm provided a detailed system for standard/non standard MRO expenses. Those requirements were segmented by labor, material and time. Standard hours and costs were established and a coordinated program of work orders, labor/material cost accounting and expense reduction established. Policies and procedures were developed and implemented to sustain the recommendations to management. A few notable clients were the University of West Virginia, Lone Star Cement Corporation, and the City of Pittsburgh, Department of Water.

Process Engineer.
General Motors Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA.

In this role he was responsible for the estimation of cost for material, labor and overhead cost related to automobile production projects. Additionally, he was responsible for full compliance with all local, state and federal regulations. He became familiar with organizations and programs such as EPA, OSHA, National Electric Codes, etc.

Honors & Awards

Panelist Speaker
South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference
March 2013
Solutions to (STEM) education

Additional Honors & Awards
Who Who in America,
2003 Supplier of the Year Class I Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council
2003 Supplier of the Year Class I National Minority Supplier Development Council Finalist
2001 Supplier of the Distinction Branch Banking and Trust Bank
1995 Supplier of the Year Class I Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council
1995 Supplier of the Year Class I National Minority Supplier Development Council