James L. Melcher

JAMES L. MELCHER is Founder and CEO of Balestra Capital, Ltd. He began
his Wall Street career in the Equity Sales Department of A.G. Becker.
After six years, Mr. Melcher formed First Venture Fund, a successful
venture capital fund that he managed for a 10-year period. In 1979 he
founded Balestra Capital, Ltd. Mr. Melcher has served on the Boards of
Directors of more than 20 public and private corporations over the past
30 years. He has placed clients in numerous successful real estate
investments since founding Balestra, including three in which he served
as General Partner. Mr. Melcher has extensive experience in a variety
of additional investment areas, including foreign securities and
currencies, precious metals, leveraged buyouts, private placements,
corporate finance, oil drilling and fine art. Mr. Melcher was a member
of the 1972 US Olympic team, and has competed in six World
Championships, two Pan American Games and was a two time national
champion in epe fencing. From 1974 to 1982 he was a member of the
United States Olympic Committee’s Investment Committee. Mr. Melcher
earned a BA degree from Columbia University.