Jim Davis
James S. Davis is an American billionaire businessman, the owner and chairman of New Balance, and an early investor in Major League Lacrosse.
- Jim Davis bought a small Boston shoemaker in 1972 and turned it into $4 billion (est. sales) New Balance.
- Davis is the chairman of New Balance, and his wife Anna, who joined the company in 1977, is the vice chairman.
- He and his family own an estimated 95% of the company, which is private.
- New Balance is known for its running shoes but also makes clothing and equipment for lacrosse and soccer.
- He got his start working for his father’s restaurants as a “lumper” carrying trays.
- At college he studied biology and chemistry, thinking he’d work in medicine, until one of his professors suggested his talent might be in sales.
