Jim Cater

Jim Cater is a Professor of Management and Director of the Center for Family and Small Enterprises at the University of Texas at Tyler. He holds a Ph.D. in Management from Louisiana State University (2006), an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University (1983), and a B.S. from Wake Forest University (1981). His research focuses on family business dynamics, small business strategies, entrepreneurship, and case studies, with publications in journals such as Family Business Review, Journal of Family Business Strategy, and Journal of Business Ethics. Prior to UT Tyler, he served as an Assistant Professor at Nicholls State University (2006–2012) and managed his family’s retail furniture business in Florida. He is an active member of the Academy of Management, United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), and the Family Firm Institute.

Teaching interests include Entrepreneurship, New Venture Planning, Strategic Management, and Fundamentals of Management. His professional background bridges academic research and practical business experience, with a strong emphasis on family enterprise and small business innovation.