The 67th Boyles Distinguished Lecture will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 featuring Jim F. Burr '89, Co-Head of Global Financial Services at Carlyle. More details are forthcoming.
Jim F. Burr
Jim F. Burr '89 is the Co-Head of Global Financial Services at Carlyle. Mr. Burr joined Carlyle in 2008. Throughout his tenure, he has been deeply involved with the entire Financial Services portfolio, and currently serves on the boards of Hilb Group, CFGI, PIB Group, Hurst Point, NSM Insurance Group Vantage, CAPTRUST, and TCW.
Prior to Carlyle, Mr. Burr worked at Wachovia Bank, where he served in several senior positions, including Corporate Treasurer from 2006 to 2008, where he was responsible for activities relating to funding, investing, risk transference, balance sheet management, liquidity, and capital usage. At Wachovia he also served as the Assistant Treasurer, Controller of the Corporate and Investment Bank, Product Controller of Treasury/Balance Sheet Management, and as a Structured Products and Mortgage Analyst. Mr. Burr began his career at Ernst & Young, where he was a CPA focused on banking and computer audit issues. Mr. Burr was a CPA in the state of North Carolina from 1994 to 2007.
He received a BS in Business Administration from Appalachian State University.
History of the Boyles Series
About Harlan Boyles
The college's Distinguished Lecture Series began in the Spring of 1988. In October 1991 the Series was dedicated to Treasurer Boyles in honor of his service to the State of North Carolina. An endowment fund was established at that time, with the assistance of U.S. Senator James T. Broyhill (1927 – 2023), to permanently endow the series in Boyles' name.
Harlan E. Boyles (1929 – 2003) devoted his 49-year career to the citizens of the State of North Carolina. A native of Lincoln County, Boyles was elected to six four-year terms as State Treasurer and served under nine governors. His name was associated throughout the state and the nation with fiscal integrity, hard work and honesty.
Harlan Boyles was dedicated to education, and through his involvement with Appalachian State University and the Walker College of Business, he was able to share his experience, advice and wise counsel with hundreds of students and future business leaders. For eleven years, he came to campus to preside over the bi-annual Harlan E. Boyles Distinguished Lecture Series.
Not only did his association with the Walker College make a difference in many on-campus endeavors, but it also had a tremendous effect on the college’s fund-raising efforts. He was honored with three separate endowments in the college -- for the lecture series, student scholarships, and faculty support. These endowments will provide an impact on the college for years to come.
Boyles lectures were held each semester through 2016, and beginning in 2017, the lecture became an annual event.