James F Comley

James F. Comley is an author, an entrepreneur, and a distinguished leader in the American elevator industry. With a career spanning over seven decades, he rose from a dedicated field technician to a visionary executive and public servant. Alongside his late wife, Virginia, he built Embree Elevator from a modest kitchen-table startup into a prominent regional force.

Comley’s extensive public service includes more than two decades on the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulations, where he served as chairman for four years. Passionate about preserving the history of his trade, he also helped establish the Elevator Museum to safeguard early mechanical innovations. In recognition of his civic dedication and entrepreneurial impact, he has been awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor and is featured in Marquis Who’s Who.

He is the author of The Ups and Downs of Running a Small Business: Lessons from a Lifetime of Lifting People, Business, and Community Up, a book that blends personal memoir with 25 timeless principles for ethical business growth. Today, Comley continues to champion community mentorship, public service, and historic preservation.