Jim Neal

Biography

Jim Neal is a former candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

Early Life and Education

James Weatherly Neal Jr. was born Nov. 6, 1956, in Greensboro to James Sr. and Mildred Hartzoge Neal. His father was an entrepreneur; his mother, a homemaker.

He attended Page High School in Greensboro until his sophomore year, when his family moved to South Carolina. He graduated from the Coastal Academy in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in 1975.

He then attended UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating with a bachelor of science in business administration in 1978.

He later attended the University of Chicago, graduating with a master's of business administration in 1983.

Family

Neal is divorced. He has two sons, Winston and James. 

Professional Career

After earning his undergraduate degree, Neal joined Goldman Sachs in New York as a financial analyst.

He then worked part-time jobs while studying for his MBA.

After graduating from the University of Chicago, he became an investment banker at Salomon Brothers. He later worked for E.F. Hutton and Bear Stearns, serving such clients as Bank of America and American Express.

Since the late 1980s, he has worked for information technology and healthcare companies, including a stint as CEO of RxMarketplace.com, a start-up firm that offered prescription drugs.

From 2000 to 2006, he led several private companies.

From 2002 to 2006, he served on the Board of Governors of The New School in New York City. 

In 2006, he moved to Chapel Hill and started The Agema Group, a boutique financial services advisory company. The name, pronounced a-JEE-mah, comes from royal bodyguards in ancient Greece.

He has taken a leave of absence from work to run for office.

Political Career

Neal volunteered for the presidential campaigns of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

In 2004, he worked as a fundraiser for Erskine Bowles' unsuccessful Senate campaign. 

In 2006, he took a year off from work to be the full-time fundraiser for retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark's presidential campaign. When Clark dropped out of the race, Neal went to work for U.S. Sen. John Kerry's campaign.

In October of 2007, Neal announced he would run for the Democratic nomination to face off against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole. 

He planned to campaign against the Iraq war and for the expansion of the SCHIP health insurance program for children.

He faced state Sen. Kay Hagan of Greensboro and three longshot candidates Lexington trucker Duskin Lassiter, Lumberton attorney Marcus Williams and Moncure podiatrist Howard Staley in the primary.

He was endorsed by the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. 

He lost to Hagan in the primary.

Research and reporting by Ryan Teague Beckwith. 

Occupation

Contact Info

Education

Military

Links