Pros to Know: RapidRatings' James Gellert Talks Drivers of Stress and Distress in Middle Market

As executive chairman of RapidRatings, James Gellert guides businesses in assessing the financial viability and risk of their suppliers, customers, and partners. His focus centers around shaping the company’s big-picture vision and strategy while maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across the industry. He also plays a key role in collaborating closely with influential clients whose partnerships have been instrumental in RapidRatings’ growth by turning emerging market trends into actionable strategies.  

Over the past 12 months, Gellert has made significant contributions in advancing the supply chain risk management industry. In January 2024, Gellert spearheaded the development of a first-its-kind research report with Marblegate, which uncovered a comprehensive analysis of emerging trends and risks within supply chain ecosystems. The findings of this report indicated that 36% of private companies in the United States are currently at high and very high risk for default vs. only 15% for public companies. In July 2024, Gellert was appointed Advisory Board Chair at LogicSource, where he leads an executive team focused on enhancing supply chain efficiency. 

Over the next 12 months, Gellert will provide strategic counsel for several product developments in RapidRatings’ pipeline, which will enable companies to quickly identify suppliers requiring immediate attention, track movements between risk quadrants for proactive risk management, and implement targeted mitigation strategies based on comprehensive risk profiles. He also plans to continue expanding LogicSource's influence of the sourcing and procurement of indirect goods and services, and through strategic speaking engagements at Institute for Supply Management, will provide insights into helping clients and businesses navigate pressing issues, including global tariff impacts, reshoring strategies, and supply chain adaptions unique to the upcoming administration. 

We talked exclusively with Gellert about rating private companies for clients, the drivers of stress and distress in middle market and why young professionals shouldn't assume everything's been done already.

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