Jim Jannard

James "Jim" Jannard is the founder of the eyewear and apparel company Oakley, Inc. and has been its Chairman and a director since the company's inception in 1975. He also served as its President between 1975 and February 1999. In October 1999, Jannard was named the company's CEO.

He was placed by Forbes Magazine at number 606 on its 2006 list of The World's Billionaires with a net worth of $1.3 billion. He is also the founder and principal backer of RED Digital Cinema, a manufacturer of high-resolution video cameras used in productions designed for cinema release. The company first showed a mock-up of their camera in April, 2006 at NAB 2006 and to start selling cameras by early 2007.

Personal life

Jannard attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. He reputedly named the Oakley company after his dog, an English Setter.

A keen photographer, he maintains a website of his own photographs. He uses high-end Canon equipment, including a 1DS camera and one of the only ten EF 1200 mm lenses in existence. His photographic subjects include his race cars, his dogs and his personal Bombardier Global Express Jet. He has owned two jets over his lifetime both Global Expresses a N2T old Global Express, a leased Global Express registratoin N701WH and recenlty received the new Global Express XRS registered again as N2T. Jannard disposed of his old N2T before purchasing his new plane and while awaiting delivery leased the N701WH for personal use.

He is married with four children and lives on Orcas Island in the state of Washington, United States.