James Jannard

$1.25 B

Ranked #2922 in World

About James Jannard

James Jannard, born in Los Angeles on June 8, 1949, founded Oakley in 1975, initially selling motorcycle parts. His company, named after his dog, became known for innovative sunglasses popularized by athletes like Greg LeMond. Oakley, which restricted sales to Sunglass Hut in the 80s, expanded to 200 employees by 1991, went public in 1995, and was sold for $2.1 billion in 2007 to Luxottica. Jannard also started Red Digital Cinema Camera Company in 2005, famed for cutting-edge digital cinema cameras. Acknowledged by Fast Company Magazine as a creative powerhouse, he owns significant real estate, including islands in Fiji and the San Juan Archipelago. He announced his retirement in 2019 due to age and health concerns.

Born

June 08, 1949 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Age

76 years

Source Of Wealth

Sunglasses

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

United States

Residence

San Juan Islands, Washington

Education

Drop Out, University of Southern California

James Jannard was born on June 8, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Alhambra, California, where he attended the local schools. After high school, Jannard enrolled at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, but he dropped out before completing his degree.

James Jannard: Family

James Jannard is married to Patricia Jannard. They have two children together, a son named James Jannard Jr. and a daughter named Jenna Jannard.

James Jannard: Career Highlights

James Jannard's career highlights include:

Starting a one-man business selling motorcycle parts in 1975.
Naming his company Oakley after his dog.
Developing custom handlebar grips, motorcycle goggles, ski goggles, and sunglasses.
Oakley sunglasses gained popularity after being used by cyclist Greg LeMond.
Restricting the sale of Oakley sunglasses to Sunglass Hut in the 1980s.
Company had 200 employees in 1991.
Company went public in 1995.
Sold Oakley to Luxottica for $2.1 billion in 2007.
Founded Red Digital Cinema Camera Company in 2005.
Produces popular digital cinema cameras.

James Jannard: Companies

James Jannard has founded and owned several companies, including:

Oakley, Inc.
Red Digital Cinema Camera Company

James Jannard: Major Achievements

James Jannard's major achievements include:

Building Oakley into a global leader in the eyewear industry.
Developing the first commercially successful digital cinema camera.
Being named one of the 100 Most Creative People by Fast Company Magazine in 2009.

James Jannard: Awards & Achievements

James Jannard has received numerous awards and achievements, including:

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1994.
National Retail Federation's Gold Medal Award in 1996.
Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 2007.

James Jannard: Personal Life & Legacy

James Jannard is a private person who rarely gives interviews. He is known for his love of the outdoors and his passion for extreme sports. He owns the Fiji islands of Kaibu and Vatu Vara, as well as the 500-acre Spieden Island in the San Juan Islands archipelago.

In 1999, he purchased two properties in Newport Beach, California for about $15 million.

James Jannard: Trivia

Some interesting facts about James Jannard include:

He is a licensed pilot and owns several airplanes.
He is a scuba diver and has explored shipwrecks all over the world.
He is a car enthusiast and owns a collection of classic cars.
He is a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charities.

Wealth History

Timeline

June 8, 1949

James Jannard is born in Los Angeles.

1975

Jannard starts a one-man business selling motorcycle parts.

1980s

Oakley sunglasses gain popularity after being used by cyclist Greg LeMond.

1991

Oakley company has 200 employees.

1995

Oakley company goes public.

2005

Jannard founds Red Digital Cinema Camera Company.

2007

Jannard sells Oakley to Luxottica for $2.1 billion.

2009

Jannard is named one of the 100 Most Creative People by Fast Company Magazine.

1999

Jannard purchases two properties in Newport Beach, California for about $15 million.

Oct. 24, 2019

Jannard announces retirement, citing age and health issues.

James Jannard : FAQs

What is James Jannard's current net worth?

James Jannard's current net worth is $1.25 billion.

What is James Jannard's current global rank among billionaires?

James Jannard holds the 2922nd position globally among billionaires.

What is James Jannard's current ranking within the United States?

James Jannard holds the 879th position in United States.

What was the change in James Jannard's net worth compared to the previous year?

James Jannard's net worth decreased by 0 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 1.25 billion dollars.

What are James Jannard's main sources of wealth?

James Jannard's main source of income comes from Sunglasses.

In which industry does James Jannard primarily operate?

James Jannard is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

What is James Jannard educational background?

James Jannard is a dropout from the University of Southern California.

How old is James Jannard?

James Jannard is 76 years old.

How many children does James Jannard have?

James Jannard has 4 children.

Who is James Jannard and what is his connection to Oakley?

James Jannard, born in Los Angeles on June 8, 1949, is the founder of Oakley, a company prominent for its sports gear including sunglasses and goggles. He named Oakley after his dog and grew his one-man business that began in 1975 by selling motorcycle parts into a globally recognized brand.

How did James Jannard's Oakley sunglasses become famous?

Oakley sunglasses skyrocketed to popularity after being worn by celebrated cyclist Greg LeMond. The brand capitalized on this by restricting sales to select outlets like Sunglass Hut in the 1980s, enhancing their exclusivity and appeal.

What is Red Digital Cinema Camera Company and its relation to James Jannard?

Red Digital Cinema Camera Company was founded by James Jannard in 2005 after selling his previous company, Oakley. Red produces high-end digital cinema cameras that are popular in the film industry for their quality and innovation.

What are some notable achievements and recognitions of James Jannard?

James Jannard was acknowledged as one of the 100 Most Creative People by Fast Company Magazine in 2009, a significant recognition highlighting his innovative contributions to the industries of eyewear and digital cinema technology.

How did James Jannard conclude his career and what is known about his retirement?

James Jannard announced his retirement on October 24, 2019, citing age and health issues as the reason for stepping down. He has invested in personal ventures, including the ownership of private islands and substantial properties in California.