James Jesty

James Jesty, MBA has a diverse work experience that spans over several industries. James is currently serving as the Executive Vice President Operations at LANDMARK Student Transportation Inc., where they oversee all Canadian school bus operations and collaborates with the regional leadership team to ensure operational performance. Prior to this, they founded and served as the CEO of Summerland Cannabis Corp., a cannabis pre-roll startup focused on the Canadian market. James also held the position of President and CEO at Friendly Stranger Holdings Corp., where they established multiple brands and opened 15 locations in nine months during the Covid pandemic. Additionally, they worked as the Vice President Operations/Concept lead at Jack Astor's Restaurants, and as a Regional Director of Operations at Starbucks, where they successfully managed a team covering 120+ stores and achieved P&L targets. James also served in various managerial roles in the hotel and restaurant industry. James Jesty's experience highlights their skills in operational management, brand development, market expansion, and strategic planning.

James Jesty earned a BA degree in Geography/Sociology from the University of Windsor, where they attended from 1989 to 1993. Later, they pursued an MBA degree in Hospitality and Tourism from the University of Guelph, completing it between 2000 and 2002.