James M. Harley, CBI, the founder and principal of The Business Exchange, is a graduate of Bucknell University (BA - Political Science) and has post-graduate degrees from Cornell University (MPS - School of Hotel Administration) and American University (MS - Real Estate and Urban Development).

Mr Harley began general business brokerage following a career in the hotel industry where he held corporate positions with Marriott Corporation (Director of Hotel Development Planning),  Holiday Inn (Regional Vice President - Development/ Acquisitions),  Homestead Village(Vice President - Asset Management), Extended Stay America (Vice President - Operations) and Southern Suites (Executive Vice President). 

Additionally, he has played a significant development role in numerous hotel projects such as the Hilton Suites of Lexington Green (Lexington, KY) and the Crowne Plaza - Hilton Head (Hilton Head Island, SC).


Mr. Harley is a member of the Cornell Hotel Society and the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA).  He has been awarded the professional designation of Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) - a designation given to those who have achieved excellence in the field of business brokerage and transfers. 

Jim is also a licensed real estate broker in Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.