PITTSBURGH, PA, May 04, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- James W. Blake Jr. has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Blake has established a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years in the financial technology sector, marked by progressive leadership roles and a reputation for bridging technical and business needs. Since 2022, he has served as a global professional services practice leader at Vertex Inc., overseeing a team of 12 tax professionals across industries such as leasing, hospitality, retail, marketplace, and telecommunications.

In his current capacity, Mr. Blake is responsible for software sales, white-glove customer implementation experiences, operational management, and escalation point strategy. He plays a pivotal role in integrating tax automation software with back-office financial systems, ensuring seamless transitions from product demonstration to implementation while unlocking value for clients. His expertise as a natural liaison has been instrumental in his success.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Blake was the principal consultant lead at Vertex Inc. from 2020 to 2022. In this role, he further honed his leadership skills by guiding teams through complex tax technology software implementations and serving as an escalation point for critical client issues. From 2019 to 2020, he served as a senior solutions manager at Vertex Inc., where he managed large-scale projects and helped develop best practices across the organization.

Between 2018 and 2019, Mr. Blake advanced from solutions manager to solutions manager II at Vertex Inc., building on his earlier tenure as a solutions manager from 2013 to 2018. During these years, he developed a deep understanding of tax automation software and its integration with enterprise resource planning systems. His ability to educate colleagues and clients alike positioned him as a trusted expert within the company.

In 2013, while working as a Sr. IT analyst for Abercrombie & Fitch, Mr. Blake was recognized in Who's Who in Black Columbus by Who's Who Publishing in its eleventh edition. From 2011 to 2013 he served as an IT analyst supporting back-office financial technology and enterprise resource planning systems while exploring new areas beyond PeopleSoft. Abercrombie & Fitch's partnership with Vertex exposed him to tax automation software, a turning point that sparked his interest in tax technology.

From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Blake served as a PeopleSoft financials developer at Accenture, where he focused on managed service projects for the State of Ohio. In this role, he supported financial systems and collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver tailored, client-focused solutions.

Mr. Blake began his professional journey at Nationwide Insurance, initially joining as an intern from 1999 to 2004. He then advanced to a technical analyst role from 2005 to 2006, followed by a systems analyst role between 2006 and 2009. During this period, he also held roles as technical support at CJ Property Management from 2004 to 2008 and as a technical analyst at Extreme Consulting between 2004 and 2005, further broadening his expertise across diverse IT environments.

Throughout his career, Mr. Blake has demonstrated a commitment to professional growth and industry engagement. He is an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers and regularly participates in speaking events at conferences, expanding his influence beyond Vertex Inc. He takes pride in building his personal brand and is recognized for quickly establishing himself as an authority in tax technology.

Mr. Blake's academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in computer science engineering from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, earned in 2004. This degree provided him with the technical acumen necessary for success in financial technology roles and enabled him to navigate complex software environments throughout his career.

Complementing his formal education, Mr. Blake has pursued ongoing professional development such as the Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment certification from the University of Maryland in 2026, the Vertex LEAD-2 Program from the Center for Creative Leadership in 2025, the Vertex O Series for Sales and Consumer Use Tax Associate Implementer from Vertex Inc. in 2025, Generative AI for Business Leaders in 2025, and Introduction to Artificial Intelligence from LinkedIn in 2024.

Mr. Blake has also completed Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers and Developing Your Emotional Intelligence from LinkedIn in 2020, as well as Docker Fundamentals plus Enterprise Developers from Mirantis Training in 2019, demonstrating his dedication to staying current with emerging technologies and leadership methodologies.

Reflecting on his career, Mr. Blake attributes much of his success to the strong work ethic instilled by his parents; His father, a real estate entrepreneur, and his mother, a computer science professional, who both encouraged academic excellence from an early age. Their balanced approach of love and discipline shaped Mr. Blake's character and drive.

Mr. Blake believes in maximizing his talents and opportunities, approaching challenges as opportunities for growth. Growing up, he learned the value of hard work and perseverance, which guided his career and shaped his professional success. A natural leader drawn to problem-solving, he has embraced roles that challenge him creatively while leveraging his technical expertise, with his transition into tax technology aligning seamlessly with his aspirations for impactful leadership.

Mr. Blake's commitment to legacy has never been confined to a single industry or role. Alongside his professional contributions, he has long been channeling his leadership experience and personal philosophy into a growing body of work that speaks to human potential at its highest level. Rooted in the belief that one's greatest contribution often lives beyond a job title, he is committed to building something that outlasts any single role or organization. Still emerging in its public form, this work reflects the same tenacity, intentionality, and devotion to human potential that have shaped every chapter of his career. For Mr. Blake, it is not a new direction. It is simply who he has always been.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

# # #