James W. Bradford (born c. 1948) is an American businessman and academic. He was the CEO of AFG Industries from 1992 to 1999 and the United Glass Corporation from 1999 to 2001. He was the dean of Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management from 2004 to 2013. He has served on several corporate boards, including

Clarcor CLARCOR Inc. was a manufacturer of filtration systems and packaging materials based in Franklin, Tennessee. founded in Rockford, Illinois as JL Clark Manufacturing Co. by John Lewis Clark in 1904. It had approximately 30 manufacturing and distri ...

Granite Construction Granite Construction Inc. is a civil construction company and aggregate producer, a member of the S&P 600 Index based and founded in Watsonville, California , and is the parent corporation of Granite Construction Company. The company is both a ...

, Genesco and Cracker Barrel, where his credentials were questioned by the largest shareholder.

Early life

James W. Bradford was born circa 1948. He graduated from the University of Florida, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in History and Political Science in 1969. He also earned a juris doctor from the

Vanderbilt Law School Vanderbilt University Law School (also known as Vanderbilt Law School or VLS) is a graduate school of Vanderbilt University. Established in 1874, it is one of the oldest law schools in the southern United States. Vanderbilt Law School has consiste ...

in 1974.

Career

Bradford was the president and chief executive officer of AFG Industries from 1992 to 1999 and United Glass Corporation from 1999 to September 2001. Bradford joined Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management in November 2002 as an adjunct professor. He was subsequently a clinical professor of management, acting dean and associate dean of corporate relations. From 2004 to 2013, he was Owen's dean, where he also taught as the Ralph Owen Professor for the Practice of Management. Bradford served on the board of directors of

from January 20, 2006 to February 28, 2017. Upon stepping down, he earned more than $920,000 in stock options. He has served on the board of Genesco since October 26, 2005, and as its lead director since June 2012. Additionally, he has served on the boards of

since January 2006 and Cracker Barrel since July 2011. In October 2012,

Sardar Biglari Sardar Biglari ( fa, سردار بیگلری; born August 30, 1977) is an American entrepreneur and is the founder, chairman and CEO of Biglari Holdings,

, the largest shareholder of Cracker Barrel, questioned his credentials to serve on the board. Bradford has served on the board of directors of the Nashville Capital Network. He serves on the advisory board of Harpeth Capital. He is on the founding board for

Sattler College Sattler College is a private college in the US that associates itself with "the historic Christian faith." The college aims to "equip Jesus’ peaceful revolution" through relational discipleship and academic excellence. The school was founded ...

."http://www.sattlercollege.org/board-and-faculty/"

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bradford, James W. Living people 1940s births University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences alumni Vanderbilt University Law School alumni Business school deans American chief executives American corporate directors Genesco people American university and college faculty deans