ACG Detroit | Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, Part 2: Deal Mechanics from Interest to Close

Lorron James is the Chief Executive Officer of James Group Inc., a Detroit-based family-owned enterprise with operations spanning logistics, transportation, and automotive manufacturing services.

After graduating from Arizona State University in 2005, Lorron began his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks as Community Affairs Coordinator before returning to Detroit to join and learn the family business.

Today, Lorron leads James Group Inc. and its operating companies, including Renaissance Global Logistics (RGL) and Five Crowns Trucking (FCT). Most recently, James Group Inc. acquired EnovaPremier, LLC, a Louisville-based tire and wheel assembly supplier. The transaction marked James Group Inc.’s first manufacturing acquisition and expanded the company’s capabilities into value-added assembly and sequenced delivery for major automotive OEMs, including General Motors, Hyundai, and Toyota.

A committed business and community leader, Lorron is a member of YPO Motor City and serves on the boards of the Children’s Foundation and the Dean’s Council for Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. He is also a part-owner of the Grand Rapids Gold, the NBA G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets.

Lorron has been recognized with numerous honors, including the W. P. Carey School of Business Hall of Fame, Sun Devil 100, and Crain’s Detroit 40 Under 40. His experience growing a multigenerational family business, pursuing strategic acquisitions, and expanding into new industries provides a valuable perspective on entrepreneurship 
through acquisition.

David T. Provost is an American banker and businessman recognized for his leadership in Michigan’s financial-services industry. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has founded banks, led major financial institutions, guided organizations through periods of financial difficulty, and advanced growth through mergers and acquisitions.

Provost earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alma College, an MBA from Eastern Michigan University, and completed graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin School of Banking. He has also received honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Letters from Alma College, a Doctor of Business from Eastern Michigan University, and a Doctor of Law from Walsh College.

Provost began his banking career at Manufacturers National Bank of Detroit, now part of Comerica Bank, where he served in various capacities for 13 years. In 1989, he co-founded Bloomfield Hills Bancorp Inc. and its subsidiary, The PrivateBank, formerly known as The Bank of Bloomfield Hills. He served as President and CEO of Bloomfield Hills Bancorp and Chairman and CEO of The PrivateBank until 2008.

From 2008 to 2017, Provost served as President and CEO of Talmer Bancorp Inc. and as Chairman and CEO of Talmer Bank and Trust, formerly First Michigan Bank. He later served as President and CEO of Chemical Financial Corporation from June 2017 through August 2019. From August 2019 through June 2020, he was President and CEO of TCF Financial Corporation. He subsequently served as a consultant for Huntington Bank from June 2020 through June 2023 and has served as a director of Parkway Bank since June 2026.

Provost remains active in corporate governance, philanthropy, and community leadership. He serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Plastipak Packaging, Inc., based in Plymouth, Michigan. He is also Chairman of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan and serves on the boards of the Detroit Symphony, Alma College, the Detroit Economic Club, and the Eastern Michigan University College of Business. In addition, he serves on the advisory boards of Partners in Torah and Presbyterian Villages of Michigan.

Throughout his career, Provost has received numerous professional and community honors, including Crain’s Detroit Business Newsmaker of the Year in 2010, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Central Great Lakes Financial Services in 2006 and 2015, the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Outstanding Leadership Award in 2007, and Crain’s Detroit Business “40 Under 40” recognition.

Provost’s leadership philosophy emphasizes relationship banking, customer service, proactive problem-solving, and finding purpose and enjoyment in one’s work. His career reflects a commitment to building strong institutions, developing lasting relationships, and contributing to the broader business and civic communities. He is married to Christine, and they have two children. The family resides in Birmingham, Michigan.

Kenneth Kelly (Kenneth) serves as Chairman and CEO of First Independence Bank, a minority depository institution, based in Detroit, Michigan. He is a respected leader in the banking community, currently serving as Chairman of the National Bankers Association. In 2018, he was named to the Federal Reserve Bank’s Seventh District Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC). Mr. Kelly was also selected to become a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman’s Advisory Committee on Community Banking which is charged with providing advice and recommendations to the FDIC on a broad range of community banking policy and regulatory matters. In October 2020, he is expected to be seated on the American Bankers Association Board of Directors. Mr. Kelly has testified as an expert witness before the U.S. Congressional House Financial Services subcommittee on consumer protection and financial institutions and has provided input to the full committee of the House Financial Services during its COVID19 listening session. Also, Mr.Kelly provided input and advice to the Secretary of Treasury and White House Staff during COVID19 on the state of minority banks.

Mr. Kelly’s leadership in various organizations has culminated in him being selected as the chairperson of the Auburn University Engineering Alumni Council. In this role, Mr. Kelly works with a successful group of alumni including many CEOs to assist the dean of the college with research and development, fundraising, academic achievement and overall guidance to the college to become the best student-centered program in America. In 2019, the dedication of the new Brown Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center included the naming of the Kenneth Kelly Engineering Academic Excellence Program Reception Area.

Prior to banking, Mr. Kelly enjoyed a 27-year career as an electric utility business leader in numerous roles within Southern Company. His last role entailed negotiating acquisitions of large renewable solar projects valued at $3.4 billion in partnership value. In 2018, Mr. Kelly was inducted as the 137th Distinguished Auburn Engineer. On February 22nd, 2020 he was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.

Mr. Kelly grew up in Eufaula, Alabama and received an electrical engineering degree from Auburn University and completed the executive MBA program at the University of Alabama.