Jim Easton

Jim Easton graduated from UCLA in 1959 with a degree in engineering. He initially worked for Douglas Aircraft from 1959-64 but then joined the family company started by his father, BRG Sports (later Easton Sports), which developed the use of aluminum in ski poles and baseball bats, becoming President in 1973. The company also pioneered the use of aluminum arrows for archery and, after organizing the World Target Championships in Los Angeles in 1983, Easton became President of the Fédération Internationale de Tir à l’Arc (Archery) in 1989, serving through 2005.

Easton became a Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1994. He served as Vice-President from 2002-05 and served on multiple commissions during his time on the IOC, including Sport and Environment (1996-99); Press (1995-96), Eligibility (1996), Marketing (1998-1999, 2000-2014), Finance (1999-2000), Nominations (2000-14), IOC 2000 Reform Follow-up (2002), 2009 Congress (2006-09), Sport for All (2010-14), the Remuneration Working Group (2003-2006), and the Olympic Order Group (2002-06). He stayed on the IOC until 2015 after which time he was made an Honorary Member.

Easton was known for his philanthropic endeavors, donating $11 million (US) to the Anderson School of Management at UCLA and serving on their Board of Trustees and the Board of Visitors to the Anderson School. He was chair of the Easton Foundation, a family philanthropic foundation. Easton was inducted into the World Archery Hall of Fame in 1997.