James A. Cusumano (Jim) is chairman and owner of Chateau Mcely, chosen in 2007 by the European Union as the only “green” five-star castle hotel in Central Europe; and in 2008 and 2025, by the World Travel Awards as The World’s Leading Green Hotel. In 2025, the Michelin Guide recognized Chateau Mcely among a select group of hotels throughout the world. Their recently launched Key Program showcases hotels in the same manner that their Star Program has awarded restaurants of distinction over the last 125 years. 

Chateau Mcely offers programs that promote the principles of Inspired and Conscious Leadership, finding one’s Life Purpose, and Long-Term Longevity and Personal Fulfillment. 

Jim began his career during the 1950s in the field of entertainment as a recording artist. Years later, after earning a PhD in experimental quantum physics at Rutgers University, studying business at Stanford University, and being designated a Foreign Fellow of Churchill College at Cambridge University in the UK, he joined Exxon as a research scientist and later became the research director for Exxon’s Catalytic Science & Technology Group. 

Jim subsequently cofounded two public companies (NASDAQ Stock Exchange) in Silicon Valley: Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.—devoted to clean power generation; and Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which manufactured drugs via environmentally benign, low-cost, catalytic technologies. While he was chairman and CEO, Catalytica Pharmaceuticals grew in less than five years from several employees to more than 2,000, and became a $1 billion enterprise before being sold. 

Subsequent to his work in Silicon Valley and before buying and renovating Chateau Mcely with his wife, Inez, Jim returned to the entertainment industry and founded Chateau Wally Films, which produced the feature film What Matters Most (2001), distributed in more than 60 countries.

Jim’s research decades ago in quantum physics created a lifelong passion to understand the connection between quantum mechanics and consciousness. He has authored more than 12 books—both fiction and nonfiction, exploring the source, nature, and function of consciousness.

Jim lives in Prague with his wife, Inez, and their daughter, Julia.