As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ernst & Young globally, Jim is committed to setting a clear and strong "tone from the top" around the key issues of quality, integrity and professionalism. Jim attributes Ernst & Young's true value to the good judgment of the organization's people, and the contribution they make to the companies and individuals they serve, and to the world's capital markets.

Jim has worked to create a high-performance environment with a highly visible leadership commitment to Quality In Everything We Do. He began his career with Ernst & Young in 1977 and has since held a series of leadership positions throughout the organization. Based in New York and London, Jim also serves as senior advisory partner for many of Ernst & Young's largest global clients.

Jim is actively engaged with many stakeholders, reflecting Ernst & Young's commitment to enhance the public's trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. He has encouraged dialogue with key stakeholders across the globe regarding the many changes facing the world capital markets, including the advent of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the United States, the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards in more than 100 countries throughout the world, and the overall movement toward greater convergence of global accounting standards and global governance.

Throughout his career, Jim has actively supported numerous civic, cultural, and business organizations. He co-chairs the Russia Foreign Investment Advisory Council. He is also on the Board of Directors for Boy Scouts of America, Catalyst, the National Corporate Theater Fund, and on the Board of Trustees for Rice University. He is a member of the Business Roundtable and Transatlantic Business Dialogue and in October 2007, was appointed Chair for the Center for Audit Quality's Governing Board.

Jim holds a Master's and a BA in Accounting from Rice University in Texas. Jim enjoys sports, including golf and tennis.