Biography
For the past 25 years, James Velgot has dedicated his career to marketing, creative services and brand strategy in the financial services sector. In 2010, James joined Fifth Street Finance Corp. and rebranded the firm in the private equity space, while creating a marketing and creative services program, calendar and team. Coordinating with external resources Jim strategized with varying agencies specializing in public relations, design, advertising and media. All marketing efforts, budgets, analytics and strategies, including events, press releases, print, web and social media were overseen by this newly created team. Jim’s efforts helped position the company for the growth it experienced emerging from a $500 mil. market cap. firm to approximately a $1 bil. market cap. firm in less than a year.

 Prior to joining FifthStreet Jim spent over 20 years at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., now AllianceBernstein. Jim built and oversaw one of the most respected communications capabilities on Wall Street, ranging the full spectrum from concept to delivery of printed pieces, PowerPoint presentations to internal and external websites, event branding, interactive video, and full motion graphics. As Managing Director of Marketing Communications, Jim oversaw a team of 48 professionals including graphic and flash designers, video editors, website developers, and project managers, while personally negotiating and managing relationships with a variety of key internal executive personnel as well as outside advertising/research agencies and suppliers. His strategy and communication initiatives partnered with a wide array of internal clients, including Institutional, Private Wealth, Retail, and overall Corporate. He was the pivotal creative and driving force behind the worldwide rebranding of Alliance Capital and Sanford Bernstein. As Global Brand Director, Jim created the new identity guidelines for the firm, and helped foster new-generation ideas to ensure the consistency of the overall corporate identity in all media, while acting as strategic counsel to the firm’s Executive Committee. Throughout his career, Jim has been at the forefront of next-technology deployment in all areas of print, web, interactive media, satellite broadcasting, and multi-language live webcasting. Before joining Sanford Bernstein, Jim worked with Kidder Peabody and Coopers & Lybrand. He is a graduate of Pratt Institute with a BFA in Communications Design.