Bio—James D. Grady

Dr. James Grady received his D.M.D. at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, in 1971 and his residency training and a Master of Science in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1974. In his practice and as an avocation, he has been a keen observer and student of behavior. This has given him the opportunity to do research and speculate regarding the various circles of cause and effect in chronic pain patients, and in employees and colleagues especially when under various types of stress. His interests in this regard has led him on what he describes as a fascinating journey of discovery both in his field and in the field of management in general. As relates to those interests, he has been a principal presenter at practice management seminars entitled: "Enhancing Productivity" And "Conflict Management" at the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Annual Meetings in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 "Office Management for the OMS Practice."

Dr. J. Grady became aware of the works of Dr. Elliott Jaques in 2000, and subsequently immersed himself in his publications. In 2001/2002 he met with Dr. Jaques on several occasions, an experience which provided considerable insight into some of the nuance of Stratified Systems Theory and its author. His quest to more clearly understand and integrate the work of Dr. Jaques with current management theory literature continues and led to the invitation to guest lecture for the Organizational Science Fellows with George Washington University.