Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Board Leadership
Timeline
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James Lyski

Richmond,VA

Summary

Dynamic executive with extensive experience in business transformation and innovation. Proven expertise in strategic planning, analytics, and AI integration. Successful in leading turnaround initiatives and M&A integrations to achieve rapid profitability. Recognized for creating impactful brand strategies and promoting agile development practices to drive growth and enhance market presence.

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience

Work History

EVP, Chief Strategy, Product & Marketing Officer

CarMax
Richmond, VA
08.2014 - 06.2025
  • Transformed company into largest omnichannel retailer, outpacing digitally-native competitors.
  • Integrated and led acquisition of Edmunds business unit, attaining profitability within one year.
  • Established product organization accountable for transformation, innovation, and growth initiatives.
  • Developed technology and innovation center to enhance lean product design and agile development practices.
  • Created analytical center of excellence for implementing AI-driven profit initiatives across enterprise.

EVP, CMO

Scotts Miracle-Gro
Marysville, OH
06.2011 - 12.2014
  • Held P&L accountability for three Global Strategic Business Units, each valued at $1B+.
  • Drove global innovation and product development initiatives for existing and new categories.
  • Developed and launched brand campaigns for Scotts, Ortho, Roundup, and Miracle-Gro.
  • Initiated digital and mobile strategy, achieving 80% CAGR in interactions over three years.

EVP, CMO

Nationwide
Columbus, OH
10.2006 - 10.2010
  • Oversaw enterprise brand, analytics, and market strategies with a $500M budget.
  • Achieved 20% growth rate in D2C e-commerce while reducing acquisition costs by over two-thirds.
  • Founded Nationwide Marketing University in collaboration with OSU for accredited Marketing Masters degree.
  • Launched Center for Advanced Analytics at OSU, boosting analytical output by 200% and cutting costs by 50%.

SVP, CMO

Cigna
Bloomfield, CT
05.2002 - 10.2006
  • Directed all strategy, product development, and marketing initiatives for company.
  • Facilitated business turnaround from first day of employment.
  • Developed new to market product targeting national account clients to enhance market presence.
  • Spearheaded entry into Consumer Driven Health Care, yielding 25% of new growth at departure.
  • Conceived National Account Forum, establishing industry’s premier client event.

VP, US Marketing

FedEx
Memphis, TN
08.1989 - 05.2000
  • Managed advertising and promotion for brand, segment, retail, and sponsorship in US market.
  • Integrated acquisition of Roadway Package Services, now known as FedEx Ground, along with other acquisitions.
  • Developed comprehensive brand architecture to meet portfolio and regulatory requirements.

Education

MBA - Marketing

University of Oregon
Eugene, OR

Bachelor of Science - Advertising/Journalism

University of Oregon
Eugene, OR

Skills

  • Strategic planning
  • Business transformation
  • Agile development
  • Innovation management
  • Brand strategy
  • AI integration
  • Portfolio oversight
  • P&L responsibility

Board Leadership

  • President of the Board Wexner Center for the Arts
  • Chairman of the Board Champions of the Community
  • Board Member Initiative for Managing Services, Fisher College of Business
  • Advisory Board Member Ansira (Advent International portfolio company)

Timeline

EVP, Chief Strategy, Product & Marketing Officer

CarMax
08.2014 - 06.2025

EVP, CMO

Scotts Miracle-Gro
06.2011 - 12.2014

EVP, CMO

Nationwide
10.2006 - 10.2010

SVP, CMO

Cigna
05.2002 - 10.2006

VP, US Marketing

FedEx
08.1989 - 05.2000

MBA - Marketing

University of Oregon

Bachelor of Science - Advertising/Journalism

University of Oregon

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