Jim Hamilton has an extensive 30-year background in executive management, retail, global sales, budgeting, marketing and advertising, public and investor relations, finance, operations, human resources, logistics, procurement, technology and portfolio management.
Hamilton has recently rejoined Identity Ventures, a consulting and investment company that he co-founded in 2001.
Prior to Identity Ventures, Hamilton was Executive Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising for the “Fortune 300” RadioShack Corporation. Hamilton was responsible for all aspects of the company’s $300 million marketing budget, product assortment strategy and procurement, vendor relationships, global sourcing and store design. Hamilton was also responsible for RadioShack.com and Ignition Inc. (RadioShack’s wholly owned industrial design firm). Hamilton was Director and Vice Chairman of Tandy Electronics Limited (China), President of Tandy Holdings and President of Tandy International Corporation. Hamilton joined RadioShack in 2003 to lead the merchandising turn-around plan.
In 1997, Hamilton and Jason Barzilay (co-founder of Packard Bell/NEC computers) founded Argoquest. Argoquest is a private U.S. holding company that is actively engaged in identifying, funding, and managing a network of over 40 Israeli-based infrastructure and enabling technology companies. In January 2001, Hamilton, as Argoquest’s President, was instrumental in securing for Argoquest, a $40 million first round of financing. The principal investors in the round included Broadcom Corporation, HSBC Holdings Plc., Shamrock Holdings of California Inc and Roach Enterprises. In September 2001, Argoquest strategically moved its corporate offices to Herzlyia, Israel to be closer to its portfolio companies.
Prior to founding Argoquest, Hamilton was President of Boca Research, Inc., a $150 million public company that manufactures, markets and sells computer peripherals and networking products worldwide. Under Hamilton, Boca Research quickly captured the Number 2-marketshare position in retail modem sales in the United States and successfully launched many new products and categories worldwide.
While Vice President and General Manager of the award-winning computer superstore chain Computer City, a division of the Tandy Corporation, revenues increased from $300 Million to over $2.2 Billion and the store count increased from 37 to over 130 locations in five countries. During Hamilton's tenure, Computer City received many industry and trade awards and was recognized as the “Second Fastest Retailer to hit $1 Billion in Sales”.
Hamilton also held key senior merchandising and marketing positions with Circuit City and Montgomery Ward.
Hamilton is widely recognized for his experience in helping shape the high-tech industry and has served on the executive councils of most major computer vendors including Intel, Microsoft, Apple and IBM. Hamilton has been recognized in the "International Who's Who in Business Professionals" and serves on the Board of Industry Leaders of the Consumer Electronics Association.
Hamilton holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Dallas and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors, from Northeastern Illinois University. Hamilton is also a graduate of the Cook County Illinois Police Academy, is a certified Police Investigator and Drug Agent and was employed as an Inspector of Police by the State of Illinois, Department of Professional Regulation, Controlled Substance Enforcement Group from 1987 to 1990.
Hamilton served on the Grapevine Colleyville Independent School District Board of Trustees from June 2001 to May 2002, is active in many community and church activities and is an Eagle Scout.