James W. Keyes ’80

James (Jim) W. Keyes is a global business leader, best-selling author, philanthropist, artist, musician, commercial pilot, and modern renaissance man. He is the former CEO of two internationally recognized Fortune 500 companies, 7-Eleven, Inc., and Blockbuster, Inc. His other business interests cover a broad range of industries from retail, consumer products, technology, healthcare, cybersecurity, 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.

Keyes’ philanthropic initiatives have an equally broad focus, including serving a three-term seat on the Board of Governors for the American Red Cross, acting as the former Chairman of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and serving on the board of directors for institutions such as UT Southwestern Medical School, Cooper Institute, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Dallas Performing Arts Center, SMU Cox School of Business, Columbia Business School, and his alma mater, College of the Holy Cross. He has had a lifelong commitment to education, serving as a founding director of the Dallas Education Foundation and is the founder of the Education Is Freedom Foundation. He is the author of Education Is Freedom: The Future Is in Your Hands, which provides the “what,” “why,” and “how” of learning. It outlines the importance of education for all mankind, the power of education to change our world, and the wisdom to unlock our personal freedom while preserving our democracy.

Keyes is a personification of the American Dream, as he comes from humble beginnings. He was inducted in 2005 as a Member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. In 2024, he received the Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award presented by Methodist Health System Foundation to recognize demonstrated community leadership.