James C. Boland joined the Cavaliers/Gund Arena Company (CGAC) in 1998 as President and Chief Executive Officer and effective January 1, 2003, became Vice Chairman of CGAC. Boland, a native of Cleveland, had spent the previous 34 years with Ernst & Young.
Boland joined Ernst & Young in 1964 after spending two years as an officer in the United States Army. He became a partner in 1976 and served as a member of the firm’s Management Committee from 1988 to 1997. He also had operating responsibility as Vice Chairman & Regional Managing Partner of Ernst & Young’s Central Region from 1988 to 1996. In 1996, Boland developed and managed the firm’s National Accounts Program and developed the methodology for serving the firm’s top 200 Global Accounts. In addition, he had partner responsibilities for many Ernst & Young clients including Eaton Corporation, TRW, Sherwin Williams, Invacare, BFGoodrich, CSX, Ashland, Park-Ohio Industries and Jones Day, among others.
In addition to his accomplishments with Ernst & Young and CGAC, Boland also sets high personal standards in contributing ideas, time and energy to many worthwhile civic, charitable and community activities. He is a former member of the Leadership Cleveland Board of Trustees and was one of the first participants in the Leadership Cleveland program when it began in 1977. The Leadership Cleveland program helps enhance community leadership over the long term and improve the quality of life in Cleveland. The program has played a vital role in bringing the City of Cleveland and its leaders together, guiding the rebirth of the city.
Boland’s involvement in the community extends much further than Leadership Cleveland. He is active in many civic areas and plays a leadership role in many organizations. He has a long record of involvement with United Way Services. Past and current community board activities include Cleveland Tomorrow, The Ohio Business Roundtable, University Circle, The Cleveland Health and Education Museum, Hawken School, Bluecoats, the Great Lakes Science Center and the Harvard Business School Club. He also has chaired the YMCA Corporate Challenge, the March of Dimes “Walk-a-thon,” the Olympic Torch Relay Committee as well as various benefits including United Cerebral Palsy, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cleveland Sight Center, Achievement Center for Children, Neighborhood Centers Association and Alzheimer’s Association. Boland has been honored by Ohio Cancer Research Associates and received the “American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Public Service Award.” Boland also serves on the boards of Developers Diversified Realty Corporation, Invacare, the Sherwin-Williams Company and the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
Boland graduated from John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration. He earned his Master’s Degree at George Washington University and attended the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.
Boland and his wife Muffy reside in Waite Hill and have six children — Julie, Jill, Jennifer, Jimmy, Will and Tuck.