Jim Jannard

Class of 1967 – Distinguished Alumni

Jim is an American designer and businessman, and founder of Oakley, Inc., an eyewear and apparel company, and Red Digital Cinema Camera Company.

Jim lettered in Cee, Bee and Varsity Track and graduated from AHS in 1967. He also served as Commissioner of Clubs in the Fall of 1966.

He attended USC School of Pharmacy but dropped out to travel the southwestern U.S. on a motorcycle. In 1975, he started a one-man business selling motorcycle parts out of his car at motocross events. He named his company after his dog, Oakley. He began developing his own products, first handlebar grips that conformed to the shape of one’s hand, and later motorcycle goggles, ski goggles, and sunglasses. One model of sunglasses was used by bicycle racer Greg LeMond, raising Oakley’s profile. His company grew to 200 employees by 1991.

He sold Oakley in 2007 and started Red Digital Cinema Camera Company, maker of Red One, which has been used to shoot various Hollywood feature films. In 2009, Jannard was named one of the 100 Most Creative People by Fast Company Magazine.