Learning more about the man behind the numbers.
In 2015, James Chung gave a series of presentations on the state of Wichita. At the heart of those presentations was a clear message: Wichita is at a crossroads.
We invited James back from the East Coast to his hometown to learn about his heart, his passion for Wichita and his intentions for the project.
What drives him? What keeps him up at night? What are his hopes, dreams and aspirations for this city?
James grew up in Wichita and graduated from Collegiate High School. His journey then took him to Harvard, where he received his master's degree in business administration.
In 2002, James began Reach Advisors, a New York-based strategy, research and predictive analytics firm that works with organizations by giving them insight into what the future may hold for their fields.
This work has put James on the cutting edge when it comes to the intersection of strategy and data analysis. It has also made him a go-to source for news outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and NPR.
Despite the big-city exposure, what we found in James was not arrogance, but the heart of a Midwesterner. He is one of us.
Yet, even with his close ties to Wichita, James is quick to point out the difficulties this city faces. He understands that knowing a diagnosis is the first step toward finding a cure.
James’ foundational work was the genesis for this site, and his findings will continue to drive the content and even the structure: four distinct challenges that will be examined, discussed and, it is our great hope, solved. And while we will continue to cite his work and keep these challenges he established in sharp focus, our ultimate goal is to build upon this foundational work in a way that leads to a healthier, more vibrant Wichita. It's the same desire that can be seen in James' dedication to this town and to its future.