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James Sawyer is the former chief financial officer of Praxair (now Linde) where he dedicated 26 years rising to the level of CFO for the last 13 years of his tenure. During that time, he earned the vote by Institutional Investor surveys gaining the title of Best CFO in the Chemicals Industry for ten consecutive years.

Now he is focused on a range of projects – including start-up companies, consulting opportunities, naturalist ventures in the Galapagos Islands, and support to environmental research and marine sports and education.

 

Natural Resources and Finance Professional

Prior to his retirement in 2014, James Sawyer enjoyed a thriving career and lifetime focus on the environment, energy and natural resources, and economics.  His accomplishments as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Praxair were championed across the industry. Simultaneously, he was most focused on real-life, problem-solving among these three often conflicting disciplines, largely propelled and driven by his early education and prior experiences.

 

Current Business Ventures

Following his retirement, Sawyer’s interest in natural resources and the environment has not wavered.  He is currently on the board of directors of two start-up companies in energy and chemistry:

 

  • Materia Inc. – A catalyst and materials synthesis company in Pasadena, CA founded by Nobel Prize winner Robert Grubbs of Caltech.
  • Compass Natural Gas – A Pennsylvania start-up utilizing cryogenic transportation to distribute stranded natural gas from the Marcellus Shale.

 

In addition, he offers his expertise as a financial / business consultant on day-to-day assignments to institutional investors, on an hourly basis. Two ongoing relationships – inline with Sawyer’s interests and deep knowledge – currently include:

 

  • Alpha Insight – A professional services firm that connects decision-makers at major corporations, investment funds and non-profits with the proper professionals offering the knowledge and oversight they need.
  • Guidepoint – A global network company that connects clients with vetted subject matter experts who provide trusted insights and perspectives to help them stay informed and make better business decisions.

 

Galapagos Islands

After participating in a naturalist cruise to the Galapagos with his family years ago, James Sawyer found himself frequently returning to the Islands, buying property on Isabella Island and establishing ventures with several naturalist cruise guides as well as the Charles Darwin Institute.
He is in a current venture planting Cocoa (chocolate) trees with another naturalist and beginning the only local production of Galapagos chocolate, which will provide jobs to indigenous peop

 

Earth Institute at Columbia University

While CFO at Praxair, James Sawyer set up one of the first corporate sustainability programs in 2001. Since then Sawyer has continued to be involved with the Earth Institute and the Lamont Doherty Oceanographic Institute.

 

Flite Board Innovative Jet Propelled Foil Surfboard

James Sawyer has recently signed on with Fliteboard, based in Byron Bay, Australia, as the US New England distributor for this very innovative product.  In collaboration with the Duxbury Bay Maritime School in Duxbury, Massachusetts, he is establishing a Fliteschool this Spring 2020 to provide training and support for this evolving sport which is only now being discovered in the United States.