J Cornelius — Big Canoe POA Board Candidate
Hello. My name is J Cornelius.
You may know me from my restaurants, Lucky Hare and Night Train Pizza, or as James Cornelius on Facebook (Facebook doesn’t like single letter first names).
Like you, I’m both a resident and property owner here in Big Canoe, and I’m running to represent you on the POA Board because I can help improve planning and communication, while increasing transparency and accountability.
I respectfully ask for your vote so that I may represent you on the Big Canoe POA board.
From the moment my wife and I first visited in 2013, we knew this place was something special. Each return visit only deepened our appreciation for the beauty and spirit of this community. In 2020, we purchased a vacation home—and not long after, we made the decision to make Big Canoe our full-time home. This wasn’t just an investment; it was a heartfelt choice, rooted in love for the place and a desire to be part of its future.
I bring decades of experience in business leadership, governance, and community service, and I’m ready to apply that expertise to help Big Canoe thrive—through thoughtful planning, clear communication, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
The Board has two stated goals: Improve Communication and Improve Planning.
Start at 1:40:06 in the July 12th Town Hall Meeting
This website alone shows my strength and commitment to transparent communication, and the fact I was able to lead a team of people to open a restaurant in just 45 days (an unprecedented feat in the hospitality industry) is testament to my abilities to make an actionable plan, communicate, and execute that plan.
Please read my perspectives and ideas, and feel free to reach out if you’d like to talk. Email me or book a time with me. I look forward to hearing from you.
For J, nothing is impossible. He’s motivated and knows how to get things done, even on ridiculously short notice where others may likely fail. J has a great eye for the small details but never forgets the high-level strategy and vision. He has a sense of leadership that is unparalleled to any other I have seen in my career history. He’s honest and is not afraid to tell you like it is, but he also encourages everyone to participate and voice their opinions.
— Nick Finck: Product Design Manager, Facebook
Bio
He’s been building digital products since 1996 and has helped countless startups and corporate product teams create products and services you probably use today. He has founded and built back-to-back-to-back-to-back multi-million dollar businesses across multiple verticals.
A graduate of Wharton Business School’s Executive Education Program and former Advisor and Mentor at Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center, and author of Amazon Best Seller Loops - The Playbook for Building Products with Clarity & Confidence. J’s focus on market research and product strategy is sought after by organizations large and small.
He speaks at conferences and leads workshops around the world, and serves on Advisory Boards of multiple venture capital groups, accelerator programs, and private companies. He loves to speak about the intersection of business, design, and technology.
Most recently, J has followed his interest in food and wine to become a WSET Level 3 Certified Sommelier and dive into the world of hospitality, launching a restaurant and pizzeria.
A serial entrepreneur with multiple exits, J started his first business in high school and never looked back.
Experience
- Graduate of Wharton Business School’s Executive Education Program
- Former Techincal & Product Director of Focus on Results, Office of Innovation Delivery and Performance City of Atlanta, GA
- Former Advisor and Mentor at Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center
- Former Secretary and Treasurer of the Downtown Development Authority of Jasper GA
- Completed Advanced training from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at UGA
Why Run?
Just like you, I care deeply about Big Canoe and the surrounding area. I want to see it thrive—to become the best version of itself for everyone who lives here.
As I’ve become more involved in the community, I’ve noticed some troubling issues—concerns that many friends and neighbors have echoed. Wanting to be constructive, I reached out to the current Board and Management to ask thoughtful questions and share these concerns in the spirit of collaboration. Unfortunately, the responses I received were dismissive and lacked the transparency our community deserves.
A common response when I’ve raised these concerns publicly is “Why don’t you run for the board?”. That kind of response feels dismissive—like being unhappy with your meal at a restaurant and being told, “Why don’t you get in the kitchen?”. We should welcome input, not shut it down. Big Canoe deserves open, honest conversations and leadership that respects every voice.
Board leadership is about listending to the community, providing clear direction based on a common goal, being decisive, and holding management accountable. I believe my skills and experience will help the board do a better job.
“Why don’t you run for the board?” you ask? Well, here I am.
What makes you different from the other candidates?
I don’t know the other candidates personally, so I won’t speak to their character, qualifications, or views on the issues that matter most. I trust they are all well-intentioned individuals who care about this community and will do their best if elected.
This election isn’t about popularity or personal connections. It’s about leadership—about choosing the person best equipped to represent the interests of all residents, to govern thoughtfully, advise wisely, and hold management accountable. It’s about making decisions transparently, with open communication and a genuine commitment to the common good.
Ultimately, my opinion of the other candidates is irrelevant. What matters is your opinion. I encourage you to reflect on your own values, ask thoughtful questions, and vote for the candidate you believe will serve Big Canoe with integrity, clarity, and transparency.
Why should I vote for you?
At the July 12th Town Hall Meeting, Rich McLeod stated the POA Boards Three Goals as:
- Settling the Trademark Issue
- Improving Communication
- Improving Planning
The trademark issue is behind us, so we should focus on communication and planning.
Here’s how I’ll help us do better:
Better Communication: Residents deserve timely, clear, and consistent updates.
Clear, honest, and effective communication has been at the core of my success in both business and community leadership. I’ll work to make board communication easier to understand, easier to find, and easier to trust. My background in User Experience Design, Product Design (I wrote a book on it), marketing, and the psychology of communication makes me particularly well suited for this task.
I know how to translate complex ideas into plain language, listen actively to understand different perspectives, and tailor messages to resonate with diverse audiences. Whether it’s facilitating difficult conversations, writing persuasive messaging, or keeping stakeholders informed, I approach communication with transparency and purpose. My ability to foster trust, encourage dialogue, and bridge gaps between people makes me a strong communicator—especially in environments where clarity and connection are essential.
Better Planning: We need strategic, long-range planning—not just reactive decisions. I’ll help the board connect the dots between finances, operations, and long-term goals to make sure Big Canoe continues to thrive.
With a background in systems thinking, business operations, and organizational leadership, I bring a practical, results-oriented approach to strategic planning. I have a proven ability to break down complex problems, identify key leverage points, and design clear, actionable plans that align with long-term goals. My experience building and managing successful businesses has given me insight into balancing vision with execution—ensuring strategies aren’t just idealistic but achievable. I also excel at fostering collaboration across diverse teams, aligning stakeholders around a shared direction, and using data to inform smart decisions. These skills position me well to contribute meaningfully to any strategic planning effort.
J knows how to ask the right question, dig into the core of the challenge, and drive towards results-based solutions.
– Robin Bienfait: Former Global Chief Enterprise Innovation Officer, Samsung
Thank you for reading my platform. I hope you found it informative and helpful in understanding my vision for our community.
Have a question or something to say? Send me an email: jcfortheboard@gmail.comPrefer to talk? Book a time with me.
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J Cornelius — Candidate for the POA Board
jcornelius.com/poa
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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead