James “Jim” W. Keyes is a global business leader, philanthropist, educator, artist, musician, commercial pilot, and modern renaissance man. He is the former CEO of two globally recognized Fortune 500 companies, 7-Eleven, Inc, and Blockbuster, Inc. His other business interests cover a broad range of industries including retail, consumer products, technology, new space, energy, and advanced nuclear. He sits on several public company boards and serves as a board adviser to a venture capital firm and a number of start-up companies.
Jim Keyes has experience in successfully leading multinational corporations with a deep understanding of global and local franchise operations. His creativity, innovation, and adoption of leading-edge technology contributed to the successful transformation of both public and private organizations. He is a seasoned executive, known internationally for leading transformational change.
Keyes is a respected philanthropist who combines his passion for business, education, and technology to advance education for all mankind. As a founding director of the Dallas Education Foundation and founder of the Education is Freedom Foundation, he has helped hardworking youth across the country realize their dreams by raising over $450 million for fellowships and scholarships. His bestselling book, Education is Freedom: The Future Is in Your Hands, celebrates the power of education to help individuals become engaged and active participants in the democratic process and make a positive impact on their communities.