Full Name: James Edward Calmeyer
Position: VP: Building, Southern Africa, Schneider Electric
Main Activity of the Company: Schneider Electric is leading the digital transformation of energy management and automation in homes, buildings, data centres, infrastructure and industries. We make it possible for Internet of Things-enabled solutions to seamlessly connect, collect, analyse and act on data in real time, delivering enhanced safety, efficiency, reliability and sustainability
Date and Place of Birth: March 12, 1973, in Pretoria
Education: MEng (electrical), University of Pretoria (UP); PrEng
First Job: Product owner at Automatic Systems Manufacturing
Career History Prior to Current Position: CEO, Crabtree, April 2014 to July 2017; business development executive: utilities, Powertech System Integrators, March 2013 to March 2014; MD, Strike Technologies, June 2010 to February 2013; various management positions at Powertech IST Otokon, July 2004 to May 2010; senior lecturer and director: Centre for New Electricity Studies, UP, June 2002 to June 2004; manager: business development, IST Otokon, November 1999 to May 2002; researcher: Centre for New Electricity Studies, UP, June 1997 to October 1999; product owner, Automatic Systems Manufacturing, January 1997 to May 1997
Size of First Pay Packet: R5 200 a month
First Job with Present Group: The current one
Value of Assets under Your Control: No real direct assets other than the people who work with me
Number of People under Your Leadership: 52
Management Style: Participative leadership
Personal Best Achievement: Apart from two amazing sons, achieving my Springbok Scout award
Professional Best Achievement: Being nominated for the Powertech CEO’s Award twice and winning the Most Improved Company in Powertech Award
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: There have been many great mentors during my career, but Dr Johan Delport, of UP, started it all
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Desmond Tutu
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: If the job is worth doing, then it is worth doing it properly
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Prior to my current role, being offered the opportunity to head up Crabtree and drive the business turnaround
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being able to see the full transformation of the companies I have headed up because of a series of mergers and acquisitions
Hope for the Future: That our beautiful country experiences growth leadership and realises its true potential
Favourite Reading: Works of fiction by authors like Stephen Leather and Lee Child
Favourite TV Programme: I do not watch much TV anymore
Favourite Food/Drink: Most food, but particularly Greek, Italian and Portuguese cuisine. I am a lover of beer, wine and god single-malt whiskies
Favourite Music: All music, except jazz
Favourite Sport: Cricket and rugby, and I am also a fanatic of American football, with my favourite team being the New England Patriots
Favourite Website: Google
Hobbies: Fly-fishing, golf and tracking animals in the bush
Car: Mercedes-Benz C220d
Pets: Two mixed-breed dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Tardiness and rudeness
Favourite Other South African Company: Crabtree South Africa
Favourite Foreign Company: Schneider Electric
Married: To Lindy, since December 9, 2000
Children: Matthew,12; Christopher, 9
Clubs: None