Dining at Cru and Galley Beach in Nantucket

As the managing partner and head of capital markets at Laidlaw & Company, Ltd., since 2010, James “Jim” Ahern has overseen extensive market expansion for the company's service to public and private firms in the health care industry. Outside of his work at Laidlaw, James “Jimmy” Ahern goes on boating trips to Nantucket to enjoy food at Cru and Galley Beach.

Known as Nantucket's leading oyster bar since its founding in 2012, Cru offers seafood with inspiration from Mediterranean and French cuisine. Located at One Straight Wharf on the waterfront, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner each day from the middle of May to October. It also serves a weekend brunch. The establishment features an extensive array of oyster options, as well as two bars with fine champagne and wines and a full cocktail menu.

Also located on the waterfront at 54 Jefferson Ave, the family-owned Galley Beach has provided an excellent venue for watching the sunset while sitting with feet in the sand since its establishment in 1958. Its menu encompasses a fine array of American cuisine, seafood, and local specialties, along with extensive drink and dessert choices.

3 Players the Boston Celtics Could Take in the 2020 NBA Draft

James "Jimmy" Ahern is an experienced health care investment banker who has served as managing partner and head of capital markets at Laidlaw & Company since 2010. Outside of his professional responsibilities at Laidlaw & Company, James "Jim" Ahern enjoys following the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Boston Celtics.

As of April 13, the 2020 NBA Draft was scheduled to go ahead as planned on June 25, but many teams were pushing the league to postpone it until August 1 as a result of scouting inefficiencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Boston has three first-round picks in the draft and could take any of these three players, according to various mock draft projections:

1. Kira Lewis Jr. - The Celtics would be wise to select Lewis Jr. if he's still on the board when the team makes its pick at 26th overall. The University of Alabama point guard is a premier ball-handler with an explosive first step. He is also a relatively effective three-point shooter who averaged 36.6 percent from beyond the arc this past season.

2. Devin Vassell - Vassell is more highly touted than Lewis Jr. and would likely need to be selected with the first of Boston's three first-round picks at No. 15 overall. The 6-foot-6 Florida State guard shot 41.5 percent from three-point range last season and averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

3. Isaiah Stewart - Stewart is somewhat of a wild card who could be drafted in the lottery or fall to the second round. The 6-foot-10 forward was a freshman at the University of Washington last season and averaged 17 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.

What Does Laidlaw Venture Partners Do?

Group of venture capitalist Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

James (Jim or Jimmy) Ahern is an experienced investment banking professional who serves Laidlaw & Company (UK) as a managing partner and head of capital markets. Jim Ahern joined Laidlaw in 2010, and he has been expanding the company, which currently has offices in New York, Boston, San Francisco, and London. James Ahern provides financing for public and private companies, with an emphasis on the healthcare vertical.

Laidlaw & Company is an independent investment banking and securities brokerage firm with a growing network of offices throughout the US and Europe. Among the sister companies of Laidlaw & Company is the venture capital financing arm Laidlaw Venture Partners (LVP).

LVP’s team provides financing to target private companies through an affiliation with the banking arm of Laidlaw Ltd., a broker dealer. The target companies of LVP financing are healthcare companies in any geography and therapeutic area, and in any stage of development. LVP’s objective is to encourage novelty - companies focused on addressing any unmet medical needs, for example, are targeted by LVP.

Besides offering several capital formation options for these companies, LVP provides additional corporate services such as advisory work, operating personnel, a board of directors, strategic partnering, and general business development, among others.

Predictions for the New England Patriots 2019 Season

Game ball on the ground 

Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash

With more than 15 years of executive experience in the investment banking industry, James "Jimmy" Ahern serves as a managing partner and the head of capital markets at Laidlaw & Company in New York City. In addition to his professional responsibilities, James “Jim” Ahern avidly follows Boston sports, including the Super Bowl 53 Champions, the New England Patriots.

With Tom Brady as quarterback, the New England Patriots have been to the Super Bowl seven times, and have a 5-2 record. This makes the team a top contender in the 2019 season. Here are some predictions for the New England Patriots from top sports news publications.

Patriots Take Rushing Game to New Heights
NBC Sports foresees the Patriots becoming a top-five rushing team, whether due to head coach Bill Belichick's strategizing or as a way to take pressure off of Brady, who is 42 years old. In 2018, the team ranked eighth in the NFL in run-play percentage.

Brady Will Focus on N’Keal Harry
The Patriots took a big loss when receiver Rob Gronkowski left the team at the end of last season. Chowder and Champions predicts N’Keal Harry, the first-round draft pick from Arizona State, will fill the gap.

Top Contenders for Winning AFC
SportingNews.com sees the Patriots easily winning their division. And while it won't go so far as to say the team will definitely win the American Football Conference, it puts them at the front of the pack.

BBBSMB Celebrates Successful Fiscal Year 2018

An accomplished financial executive with more than 15 years of experience, James (Jimmy) Ahern leads as managing partner and head of capital markets at Laidlaw & Company. Outside of his work at Laidlaw, James Ahern supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay (BBBSMB) and serves as a board member of the organization’s charitable foundation. 

BBBSMB recorded another year of significant achievement in fiscal year 2018 (FY2018), serving more than 3,200 youth and matching nearly 1,200 new children with mentors, representing 19 percent growth from the prior fiscal year. Over FY2018, the organization also raised net operating revenue in the amount of $7.8 million, which it used to expand college-mentoring programs and add the New Bedford region to its service areas. BBBSMB additionally continued its joint initiative with Uber, providing “Bigs” free transportation to meet with their ”Littles” in areas that aren’t readily accessible via public transportation. 

The organization’s progress helped it make significant steps toward its goal of serving 5,000 youth annually. In coming years, BBBSMB will look to raise $40 million in funding from diverse and sustainable sources. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay, visit www.massbaybigs.org.

Red Sox Affiliate Makes History in the Broadcast Booth

An alumnus of The Northfield Mount Hermon School, James "Jimmy" Ahern has served as managing partner and head of capital markets at Laidlaw & Company since 2010. Despite working out of Laidlaw's New York offices, James Ahern is a passionate fan of Boston sports teams, including the Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Women have been receiving more opportunities in sports broadcasting in recent years, yet one Red Sox minor league affiliate is set to make history in that regard. On February 27, the Single-A-Advanced Salem Red Sox announced it had hired Melanie Newman as its play-by-play announcer. Newman will join Suzie Cool who, last season, became the first woman broadcaster in the Carolina League. The two-woman broadcasting team is not only the first of its kind in the Carolina league, but all of professional baseball.

Newman did play-by-play for the Texas Rangers' Double-A affiliate last season and has prior broadcasting experience with GameDay Radio, the ACC Network, and FOX Sports Southwest. She's also a lifetime Red Sox fan. Cool, meanwhile, previously worked as part of the AT&T Sports Network's Pittsburgh Pirates broadcast team.

Despite the historic first, there is still work to be done in providing opportunities for female voices in baseball. There are only four other women broadcasters in MLB and the minor leagues combined.

The Best Players in Boston Red Sox History

Despite residing in New York City, Laidlaw & Company executive James (Jimmy) Ahern enjoys following Boston sports. A fan of the Red Sox, James Ahern cheers on a team whose storied history includes several outstanding athletes. According to experts, the very best players ever to call Fenway Park home are: 

Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez spent seven seasons in Boston, during which time he won his second and third Cy Young Awards and compiled a 117-37 record. His 1999 season, in which he finished second in MVP voting, ranks among the most impressive in MLB history. 

David Ortiz

Boston fans could never have predicted that a little-known free agent acquired in January of 2003 would become one of the best players in franchise history. In 14 seasons at Fenway Park, Big Papi made 10 All-Star teams and helped lead the Red Sox to three World Series titles.

Ted Williams

Ted Williams holds distinction the last MLB player to finish a qualifying season with a .400 average. Still considered by some to be the greatest hitter in baseball history, he boasts the best individual statistics of any Red Sox player ever, this despite missing significant time while serving in both World War II and Korea.

Basketball Coach John Carroll Sets Wins Record at NMH

Drawing upon more than 15 years of experience as a financial executive, James Ahern serves as managing partner and head of capital markets at Laidlaw & Company, where he primarily raises funds for private and public health care companies. Beyond his work with Laidlaw, James "Jim" Ahern is president of the Northfield Mount Hermon School's (NMH) Basketball Alumni Council for Excellence.

The NMH boys' varsity basketball team scored a victory over St. Thomas More on February 6 and, in the process, the team's head coach, John Carroll, established a new school record for most wins by a coach. He now has 301 career victories as head coach of the basketball team. The previous record of 300 was held by NMH Hall of Famer and Class of 1959 member Bill Batty. Including his time as a player and assistant coach, Carroll, a member of the Class of 1989, has now been part of 428 NMH basketball wins. 

Since taking over as basketball coach in 2001, Carroll has guided the team to its eight most successful seasons in regard to regular season wins, and has led the team to New England Championships in 2012, 2016, and 2018. He was also the coach for the school's only National Championship, which it won in 2013. Moreover, Carroll is a three-time Coach of the Year who earned induction into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

As a player, Carroll was MVP of the team during the 1988-89 season. He went on to become a four-year player at Assumption College, where he holds the school record for most three-point shots made in a career with 342.

Top Lures for Catching Tuna

James (“Jimmy”) Ahern serves as the managing partner and head of capital markets at Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. As such, Jim Ahern facilitates the securitization of financing for private and public companies in the health care sector. Outside of work, James Ahern enjoys fishing for tuna.

Below are several lures that are popular when fishing for tuna:

- Squid rigs: These soft plastic lures are available in a wide range of colors. However, natural colors such as off white and light brown are some of the most popular choices. Anglers can run squid rigs on their own or as part of a group and can choose lures ranging from 11 to 17 inches in length.

- Cedar plugs: A reliable lure for catching tuna, cedar plugs were originally used by commercial fishermen. They are simple lures and consist of a painted piece of cedar wood or wood soaked in menhaden oil to add scent. Similar to squid rigs, cedar plugs can be used as a single lure or hooked up to a spreader bar.

- Feather lures: When tuna are feeling fussy, a feather lure may entice them to bite when other lures have failed. Made from colorful feathers and acrylic heads, most manufacturers suggest using a blue purple and black or blue and white lure when fishing for tuna. However, some anglers have also had success using green and yellow feathers.

Patriots Sign Former Atlanta Defensive End Adrian Clayborn

An alumnus of the Northfield Mount Hermon School, James "Jimmy" Ahern draws upon 15 years of experience in the financial sector in his role as head of capital markets for New York's Laidlaw & Company. Outside of his responsibilities with Laidlaw, James "Jim" Ahern is a passionate fan of the National Football League's New England Patriots.

The Patriots filled a major void in its roster on March 16 with the signing of free agent defensive end Adrian Clayborn. New England's inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks was evident during the most recent Super Bowl, in which its defensive line struggled to pressure Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. Clayborn should provide significant help in this area.

Viewed as one of the league's elite defensive players, Clayborn is an Iowa alumnus who was selected 20th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played four seasons with the team before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2015. Throughout his seven-year career, the 6-foot-3, 281-pound defensive lineman has recorded 167 tackles, 30 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. The 29 year old is coming off an impressive season in which he recorded career-best figures in sacks (9.5) and fumble recoveries (2).

Red Sox Re-Sign Infielder Eduardo Nunez

Since becoming the head of capital markets at Laidlaw & Company in 2010, James "Jimmy" Ahern has facilitated more than $2 billion in transactions in the healthcare sector. Away from his work at Laidlaw, James "Jim" Ahern enjoys following his favorite Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Boston Red Sox. 

In July of 2017, the Red Sox acquired veteran infielder Eduardo Nunez from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor league players Shaun Anderson and Gregory Santos. The 30-year-old Nunez was coming off a year split between the Giants and the Minnesota Twins. 

Maintaining an impressive .308 batting average in 76 games with San Francisco prior to his trade to Boston, Nunez continued his impressive play in 38 games with the Red Sox, compiling eight home runs, 27 runs batted in (RBIs), and a .321 batting average. As a result, Nunez was recently re-signed to a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $6 million with a $4 million player option for the 2019 season. 

A native of the Dominican Republic, Nunez made his MLB debut in 2010 as a member of the New York Yankees and played four seasons with the team before he joined the Twins. Through 669 career games, he has 46 home runs, 245 RBIs, and a .282 batting average.

Casino Night Raises Funds for BBBSMB

James Ahern functions as the managing partner and head of capital markets for Laidlaw & Company UK Ltd. in New York City. Beyond his obligations for Laidlaw, Jimmy Ahern supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay (BBBSMB) and serves on the Board of Overseers for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation. BBBSMB invites supporters to Casino Night to help raise money for the organization’s programs.

Casino Night treats guests to an evening of table casino games, dancing, and networking with some of Boston’s brightest professionals in the 40 and under range. Presented by the Young Professionals Group Executive Committee, the event will feature an open bar and prizes for the top casino winners. Guests may also participate in a raffle with more than 30 prizes. Dress for the event is black tie formalwear.

Individual tickets start at $100, and guests interested in sponsoring can select from a number of sponsorship packages that range between $750 and $7,500. Sponsorship packages include multiple tickets and promotional opportunities based on level.

Casino Night will take place at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse on April 21, 2018.

Red Sox Sign Veteran Catcher Oscar Hernandez

Since joining Laidlaw & Company in 2010, James "Jimmy" Ahern has helped facilitate over $2 billion in transactions, primarily on behalf of companies in the healthcare sector. When he isn't leveraging his investment banking skills for Laidlaw & Company's clients, James "Jim" Ahern enjoys following his favorite Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Boston Red Sox. 

The Red Sox are already deep at the catcher position with Sandy Leon, Blake Swihart, and Christian Vazquez all slated to compete for the starting job in 2018, but competition will be even more intense during spring training as the team recently signed 24-year-old Oscar Hernandez. The native of Venezuela began his career in the Tampa Bay Rays minor league system but was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft. 

Since joining the Diamondbacks, Hernandez has played in only 22 games and has a less-than-stellar .167 career batting average to go along with one home run and two runs batted in (RBI), but he's primarily known for his impressive defensive capabilities. Through eight seasons at the minor league level, he has 63 home runs, 258 RBI, and a career batting average of .256.

Lobster Stocks South of Cape Cod Experience Sharp Decline

A managing partner with Laidlaw & Company, James (Jim or Jimmy) Ahern provides capital raising solutions to public and private firms in the health care sphere. An avid fisherman, Laidlaw executive James Ahern enjoys fishing trips in the Nantucket area as well as grilling steamers and lobsters. 

A recent Boston Globe article brought attention to a troubling situation in which, despite record lobster catches in the colder waters off Maine, the coastline south of Cape Cod has seen a devastating loss of its lobster population. With warming sea temperatures singled out as the major cause, lobster catches in Rhode Island and New York have been particularly impacted. The New York catch was only 218,000 pounds in 2016, a fraction of the 9.4 million pounds netted in 1999. Buzzards Bay south of Cape Cod has also been affected, with the 2016 catch only 60 percent of what it was two decades ago. 

The warming sea temperatures are reflected in almost 100 days in 2012 when readings in the Long Island Sound were above 68 degrees. The Atlantic lobster is best suited to temperatures within the 53 to 64 degree range. Reflecting a growing sense that maintaining a stable population may be futile, there have been no new regulations set in place by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to conserve dwindling lobster stocks.

Northfield Mount Hermon School’s Top-Ranked Basketball Team

James “Jim” Ahern joined Laidlaw & Company in 2010 and now serves as managing director and head of capital markets at the firm. Alongside his work with Laidlaw, James “Jimmy” Ahern supports his alma mater, Northfield Mount Hermon School, where he serves as chair of the Basketball Alumni Council for Excellence. 

In addition to top-notch academic programming, Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH) boasts one of the nation’s best preparatory level basketball programs. A member of the prestigious New England Prep School Athletic Conference, the NMH basketball team has maintained a top-10 national ranking for the past 12 years and a top-5 national ranking over the past seven years. During that same period, the team reached the National Championship Final Four the last four times and took home the National Championship in 2013. 

Due to its combination of solid academic and athletic programming, NMH produces many athletes who go on to play at the collegiate level. More than 50 NMH basketball players have gone on to play Division I ball for a variety of colleges and universities, including Yale University, Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Brown University, and Princeton University.

Celtics Win 16 Consecutive Games in First Half of 2016-17 Season

Since becoming managing partner of Laidlaw & Company in 2010, James Ahern has helped grow the firm into a nationally-recognized healthcare investment bank with multiple offices throughout the United States and one in London, England. Beyond his work with Laidlaw & Company, James Ahern is a passionate fan of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Through 23 games in the 2017-18 regular season, the Celtics sit atop the Eastern Conference with a win-loss record of 19-4. The team dropped its first two games of the season but proceeded to win its next 16, including an impressive come-from-behind win against the defending champion Golden State Warriors in which the Celtics trailed by 17 points on two separate occasions. Boston came within three wins of equaling its franchise record of 19 consecutive wins, which was set by the 2008-09 team. That team began the year with a remarkable 27-2 record and finished with a record of 62-20 before being upset by the Orlando Magic in the second round of the playoffs. 

The 2017-18 team's streak came to an end in a November 22 contest against the Miami Heat. Boston had overcome double-digit deficits in games against the Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and Dallas Mavericks, but suffered a 104-98 loss to the Heat. The 16-game streak tied for the fourth longest in franchise history.

Navigating into Nantucket Harbor in a Small Vessel

Based in Boston, James (Jim) Ahern holds a leadership role with Laidlaw & Company as managing partner. His responsibilities with Laidlaw include raising capital for public and private firms working in the field of health care. James (Jimmy) Ahern enjoys boating in his free time and frequently visits Nantucket to sample favorite eateries such as Cru and Galley Beach.

With a year-round population of 10,000, Nantucket offers regular ferry service that brings most summer visitors to the island’s compact harbor front. When navigating a small vessel into the area, the various shoals along the way make it imperative to keep a close eye on both government marks and detailed charts. The approach to the island is fairly shallow, which means that in rough conditions waves get churned up on the surrounding reefs and increase the risk of encountering rocks.

A typical approach from the west across Nantucket Sound involves maintaining a position within channel markers passing along Cross Rip Channel and navigating past Tuckernuck Shoal on the starboard side. The next landmark to round on starboard is Brant Point Lighthouse, which leads into the main harbor channel and the Nantucket Boat Basin on the harbor's western side.

Tuna Fishing in the Stellwagen Bank Area of Massachusetts Bay

As Laidlaw & Company managing partner, James (Jim) Ahern is an established financial executive with a focus on arranging financing for expansion companies in the health care vertical. In addition to his work at Laidlaw, James (Jimmy) Ahern is a boating enthusiast who enjoys fishing for tuna off the coast of Cape Cod. 

Bluefin tuna can be caught in several spots in Massachusetts as they migrate from early June through September. One well-known area is the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which encompasses 842 square miles between Cape Ann and Cape Cod at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay. An underwater plateau, it reflects the same geologic processes that created outer Cape Cod, with ice sheets retreating following the last Great Ice Age. 

Above water until 12,000 years ago, the bank today harbors myriad sea life, including haddock, flounder, and cod, and is listed as one of the top ten whale watching sites worldwide. The sanctuary designation does not affect fishing. Rather, it protects commercial and recreational fishing activities through regulations designed to prevent the transfer of petroleum products, gravel mining, and the harming of terrestrial species such as turtles, birds, and mammals. 

Fishing enthusiasts have been known to catch bluefin tuna as little as three miles from the shore, with the largest specimens landed in the Massachusetts Bay each year weighing over 1,000 pounds.

Popular Tourist Attractions in Nantucket

As a managing partner with Laidlaw & Company, James Ahern raises capital for and advises public and private companies in the health care sector. When he isn't working at Laidlaw, James Ahern enjoys taking boat trips to Nantucket, a small island off the coast of Massachusetts. 

Nantucket has a year-round population of roughly 10,000 people, but tens of thousands of tourists and part-time residents descend upon the island in the summer. One of Nantucket's main tourist attractions are its fine sand beaches. The island's north shore beaches, such as Children’s Beach and Jetties Beach, are best suited for families because the waves are frequently low. Jetties Beach, meanwhile, is located near tennis courts, a skateboard park, a playground, and other recreational venues. Those looking to surf are better off visiting the south shore beaches of Surfside, Miacomet, and Cisco. 

For a respite from the beaches, visitors to the island should check out the Nantucket Whaling Museum, which features ancient whaling artifacts, including a sperm whale skeleton that hangs from the ceiling. The island also offers sightseeing and tourist activities in the form of numerous lighthouses, museums, mills, and performing arts centers. Visitors can unwind at the end of the day by visiting Cisco Brewers, where they can sample world-class beers, wines, and spirits.

Las Vegas Favors the Patriots to Win the Super Bowl

A graduate of the Northfield Mount Hermon School, James Ahern serves as the managing partner and head of capital markets for New York's Laidlaw & Company. When he isn't advising Laidlaw clients or raising capital for health care investments, James Ahern enjoys following his favorite National Football League team, the New England Patriots.

Last season, the Patriots overcame a 25-point deficit against the Atlanta Falcons to win its fifth Super Bowl in 16 years and, according to Vegas oddsmakers, the team is poised to win another this upcoming season. In May, following the completion of the 2017 NFL Draft, one popular betting site gave the Patriots 7-2 odds of winning the next Super Bowl, ahead of the Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders, all of which were given 12-1 odds. Since then, the Oakland Raiders have become more popular, and the team's odds of winning the Super Bowl have risen to 6-1. The Patriots, however, are still the heavy favorites with 3-1 odds. 

Rather than resting on its 2016 laurels, the Patriots added potential impact players in free agency, including defensive backs Stephon Gilmore and Duron Harmon, as well as running back Mike Gillislee. The team also acquired wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the New Orleans Saints and tight end Dwayne Allen from the Indianapolis Colts.