James 'Jim' S. Davis is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Owner and Chairman of New Balance, the global athletic footwear and apparel company. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1943, he is the son of Greek immigrants and grew up in the Boston area.

Davis graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry from Middlebury College in 1966, where he also played college football. His early career included working as a sales engineer at LFE Corporation. His philosophy centers on contrarian strategy, domestic manufacturing, and avoiding celebrity endorsements (unlike his major competitors, Nike and Adidas).

• New Balance (Owner & Chairman): The core private asset, a global athletic footwear and apparel company, known for its commitment to domestic manufacturing in the U.S. (Boston) and the U.K.
• Acquisition: He bought the company in 1972 (then a 6-employee firm in Boston) and transformed it into a global corporation (with 4,000 employees and $2.5 billion in annual revenue).
• Sports Focus: He is an early investor and co-founder of Major League Lacrosse (MLL).
• Academic Background: He holds a B.A. in Biology and Chemistry and an Honorary Doctorate from Middlebury College.

Jim Davis's strategic genius was his 1972 acquisition of New Balance (then a tiny, struggling firm), transforming it into a global powerhouse by focusing on performance, fit, and word-of-mouth marketing rather than celebrity endorsements. His structural contribution is his unwavering commitment to domestic manufacturing, maintaining factories in the U.S. (Boston) and the U.K. (though much of the assembly occurs overseas)—a key differentiator in the global athletic footwear industry.

Under his leadership, New Balance achieved global revenue averaging around $2.5 billion every year. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the athletic footwear and apparel sector. Davis is a major Republican political donor, a fact that briefly led to controversy and boycotts of his shoes after the 2016 election.

Jim Davis's social impact is structural, stemming from New Balance's role as a massive global employer and its commitment to maintaining domestic manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and U.K. His companies contribute significantly to the stability of the industrial manufacturing base.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and cultural institutions, including a $5 million donation to the University of Maine and the naming of a library at Middlebury College for him. His structural contribution is tied to his belief in ethical manufacturing and supporting the New England sports landscape.

Jim Davis maintains the professional, pragmatic style of an industrialist. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, often featuring New Balance apparel or tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and his commitment to the American manufacturing tradition.

Residing in Newton, Massachusetts, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to industrial scale, product quality, and the long-term stewardship of the New Balance brand.