Jim Cumbee, Managing Director of Tennessee Valley Group brings more than 30 years of M&A experience to the table. He’s a lawyer, Harvard MBA, a certified Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) and Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Professional (CM&AP). Jim is also certified as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator.

He has a well-rounded career that spans the law, government, corporate leadership, entrepreneurship and M&A. After graduation from law school, Jim served as Assistant Attorney General in Missouri and later as an assistant cabinet official in the state.

Expanding his experience, Jim completed his MBA from Harvard Business School. The next stop on his career path was corporate, at the Florida real estate development company, Trammell Crow. He went on to hold executive roles at the Walt Disney Company, eventually becoming VP of Strategy and Administration at Disney Development Company.

In the late ’90s, Jim shifted from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship. He acquired and merged three Christian radio stations in Nashville, aligning his work with his faith. When industry consolidation spiked valuations, he sold to Salem Communications and became president of one of their divisions, leading their national acquisition strategy. This role launched his formal M&A experience (on the buy side) and shaped his philosophy today: The best way to help an owner sell a business is to have been a buyer.

After nine years as a corporate buyer, Jim founded Tennessee Valley Group in 2008. With decades of experience in dealmaking, Jim has been in the room for hundreds of transactions and knows how to guide you through the entire process with focus and integrity.