A graduate in finance from Loyola University, Chicago resident James Kolbusz balances a busy career as an investment professional with his work as an entrepreneur in the custom guitar industry. James Kolbusz owns and operates Windy City Guitars (WCG), an electric guitar custom shop in Chicago’s trendy West Town neighborhood. Though the shop specializes in Gibson electric guitars, WCG works with a wide range of guitars and offers services such as re-fretting and refinishing.

In addition to his work with WCG, Mr. Kolbusz serves as senior vice president and institutional consulting director with the Chicago offices of Merrill Lynch, where he manages institutional client relationships and guides the sales and consulting team. He also implements investment strategies for markets and clients such as public pension funds, endowments, and foundations. Previously, he spent more than a decade in a similar leadership role with Morgan Stanley, where he advised on more than $3.3 billion worth of investment funds and increased assets under management by nearly $350 million.

Outside his professional life, Mr. Kolbusz gives back to his community through work with Catholic Charities, sitting on the board of the nonprofit organization and serving on its investment committee.