As CFO of industrial-based enterprise Dulany Industries, Jim Tait utilizes advanced financial tools to make operational and strategic decisions. When he finds himself in need of advice, he checks the notes he took nearly three decades ago as a student in Robinson’s M.S. in Finance program. To this day, Tait looks back on formulas, definitions, and insights from then instructor and academic advisor James Owers.
“That information is a wonderful reference,” Tait said. “Dr. Owers helped me figure out how to approach operational finance and ultimately advance my career.”
Tait moved from Philadelphia to Atlanta in 1993. In addition to working full-time as a controller for electronic defense system manufacturer AEL Industries, he attended class two evenings per week at Robinson. Over the course of two years, he carved out time to learn complex financial formulas and participate in group projects addressing real-world business problems. He graduated in 1997.
Tait’s professional experience and academic credentials attracted employers’ attention; he got recruited by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, where he spent almost 20 years leading short- and long-term business strategies as well as financial planning analyses. Under Tait’s financial leadership, Gulfstream grew from 2,000 to 17,000 employees and introduced new luxury business jets to the market.
About five years ago, Tait assumed his current position at Dulany Industries.
“Serving as CFO for an organization was my aspiration,” he said. “The sum of all my thought and people leadership experiences allows me to be an effective asset to the company.”
Tait completed his M.S. in Finance quite a while ago but still attributes his success to the foundational skills he established at Robinson.
“The program was intense but also rewarding,” he said. “Through Robinson, I developed financial acumen and kickstarted my trajectory of success.”