James E. Erbs

Jim Erbs

Jim Erbs has over twenty-five years’ experience advising and leading a wide variety of enterprises in both the consumer and industrial sectors.

Prior to founding Chetrum, Jim successfully turned around a number of underperforming companies in industries as diverse as women’s fashion handbags and laboratory countertops. He also successfully started a medical device company, which he took through the FDA approval process before selling the business to a leading industry competitor.

Jim began his career as an electrical engineer, doing a number of projects for the U.S. Navy involving leading edge sonar systems for submarines.

As a result of his experience both in starting businesses and turning around underperforming established enterprises, Jim brings a wealth of experience to current and potential Chetrum portfolio companies. He is presently leading the transformation in process at Safety Socket LLC.

In his philanthropic work, Jim chairs the board of directors of Quest Academy, a leading independent school in the Chicago area.

Jim is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering) and the Harvard Business School (Master of Business Administration).

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