James A. Garner is an accomplished and experienced leader who currently serves as the President and CEO of Garner Group International, LLC., a state certified Minority Business Enterprise and Veteran Owned Small Business firm that provides elite-level consulting services in business development, government relations, and strategic consulting.

Garner’s impressive career includes serving as Chief Deputy Comptroller of Nassau County for three years and as deputy comptroller from 2011 to 2014.

He also served as Long Island’s first African-American mayor, a four-term position he held from 1989 to 2005, and was a member of the village board of trustees from 1984 to 1989.

During his tenure as mayor, Garner revitalized his community’s downtown and housing stock, reversing over two decades of community decline.

He also served as president of Nassau County Village Officials and was elected president of the US Conference of Mayors in 2003, where he became a national ambassador on city revitalization, community development, and public/private partnerships.

Garner’s leadership and dedication to community development and public service earned him various appointments and honors, including serving as an official U.S. Delegate to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, meeting with His Holiness Pope John Paul II and His Eminence Cardinal Francis Arinze at the Vatican, and being appointed to the Homeland Security State and Local Officials Senior Advisory Committee Board Member, International Republican Institute.

Aside from his public service, Garner is a successful businessman who founded and operated a pest control business for many years.

He also served as an army veteran of the Vietnam era, earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Adelphi University, and holds an Honorary Degree of Doctorate of Civil Law from Molloy College.

As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Garner is a highly respected and influential figure in both the public and private sectors, with extensive leadership experience.

How do you see your business evolving due to the changing times? 

Garner Group International has a solid foundation and offers a diverse range of services that are highly sought-after in today’s dynamic business environment.

With the world becoming increasingly globalized and interconnected, there is expected to be a growing demand for consulting firms like ours, which specialize in business development, government relations, and strategic consulting.

Our focus at Garner Group International is on creating pathways that enable corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits to achieve their strategic objectives and economic goals by leveraging networking opportunities with other entities.

This focus is projected to become even more significant in the years ahead. Moreover, our extensive experience in collaborating with various levels of government and the private sector to secure funding and community support for economic development projects and municipal government initiatives enables us to guide clients through complex regulatory environments and capitalize on new business prospects.

I am confident that Garner Group International will continue to flourish in the future by adapting and innovating to meet the evolving needs of our clients, just as we have done in the past.

What advice would you give other business owners? 

My recommendation for business owners is to build a diverse team of experts in their industry.

In addition to this, I suggest prioritizing the development of strong relationships with individuals, corporate entities, and government agencies. Building strategic partnerships and networking can play a critical role in achieving a company’s long-term objectives.