James T. (“Jim”) Byron

James T. (“Jim”) Byron is president and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation, and a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. He was appointed in November 2021 at the age of twenty-eight. Byron’s objectives as president and CEO include welcoming visitors from around the world to the Nixon Library by offering creative, immersive, educational special exhibitions, increasing the national impact of the foundation’s public programs and initiatives that promote leadership, public service, a strong foreign policy rooted in a 21st century grand strategy, and a more just society for all Americans, and expanding the foundation’s online presence and reach. He is overseeing the American Civics Campaign, a $40 million effort launched in 2023 to reacquaint middle and high school students with American civics and history. From 2019 to 2021, Byron was executive vice president of the Nixon Foundation. Previously, Byron led the planning efforts for the reopening of the Nixon Library after a $15 million renovation. These two days of closely coordinated public programs, unveilings, and educational seminars were attended by more than 3,000 people and received coverage from more than 40 media outlets from around the world; Byron directed an effort of more than 100 individuals in their execution. He also led the planning and execution of the strategic communications campaign to launch the New Nixon Library, which, combined, reached more than 100 million people and won five PR-industry association awards. From 2014 to 2017, he worked as coordinator of the foundation’s successful $25 million capital campaign. Byron is a native of Santa Monica, California, and grew up in Orange County. He is a graduate of Chapman University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in history. He now serves as chairman of the Phi Delta Theta California Phi Chapter Advisory Board and a member of the board of directors of The Pacific Club in Newport Beach. Byron is the author of A President Comes Home, the official Nixon Library souvenir guide (2018). He lives in Costa Mesa and enjoys playing tennis and golf.