STRATEGIC ENDEAVORS LLC was founded in December of 1999 by James A. Eshleman in Lancaster County, PA. Eshleman is the principal and directly handles all clients of the firm. Our philosophy is to selectively take a limited number of quality engagements and then work them intensively to conclusion. Accordingly, our closing ratio is much higher than firms who concentrate on listing volume.

Eshleman is a registered professional civil engineer and spent over 20 years in the business world including 3 years as a project engineer with a Fortune 500 steel producer, 15 years as a manager and then owner of a construction materials and contracting company, and then 3 years as a non-owner president/manager of a family owned contracting and service company in the water supply and treatment industries.

Eshleman became interested facilitating the business transfer process after completing the sale of two mid-market companies as a business owner and seller. He is an active member in the PBBA (Pennsylvania Business Brokers Association) and IBBA (International Business Brokers Association). Through completion of educational coursework and meeting experience requirements, he has earned the IBBA's Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation, one of the most recognized and sought after designations in the industry. Out of approx. 4,000 business intermediaries across the country, less than 1,000 hold this certification.

In addition to his professional activities, Eshleman is Chairman of the Water Authority in his community, past President of the Rotary Club of Lancaster West, and active in leadership at his Church.



Kate E. Schmeiss joined STRATEGIC ENDEAVORS LLC in January of 2007 as a Senior Business Analyst. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Finance.

She spent 6 years working as an analyst / consultant for a boutique management consulting firm that specializes in Human Capital Asset Management (HCAMTM). She participated on large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects with the firms Fortune 500 clients. She supported market strategy development, operational and organizational restructurings, and the development of financial analytics used to track return on investments in intangible assets.

Ms. Schmeiss has earned the IBBA's Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation.