Senior Vice President
James Simmons
James collaborates with organizations to develop strategies, unlock capital and advance projects that strengthen communities.
James brings more than 15 years of community development finance experience helping organizations translate ambitious goals into successfully financed projects. He is recognized for structuring complex debt, equity and tax credit transactions, aligning stakeholders, and delivering capital solutions, and specializes in advising Community Development Entities (CDEs) and other mission-driven organizations on investment strategies with lasting impact. Before rejoining SB Friedman, James was an Executive Director and Senior New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Originator at JPMorgan Chase, where he closed more than $1 billion in NMTC financing and built partnerships with organizations nationwide.
Affiliations & Achievements
- Master of Science in Urban Planning, Columbia University
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, minor in Political Science, Burke Scholar; Marquette University
“What I find most rewarding is hearing from a client that we made a real difference. NMTC financing can be complex, but working alongside clients to understand their goals and find solutions together is what makes this work meaningful to me.”
