“Leadership – People – Value”
James E. (Jim) Blair stands among the most accomplished and visionary risk management executives in the modern corporate landscape. With over six decades of transformative leadership, Jim has cultivated a career that bridges industries, geographies, and disciplines—delivering over $200 million in corporate gains and revolutionizing how enterprise risks are understood, managed, and leveraged. His mission has been clear: align governance and business conduct with strategic foresight to unlock lasting economic value.
As the President of Integrated Risk Management Solutions, LLC (IRMS), Jim has led a global consultancy focused on prevention-centric, earnings-based risk strategies. Through this vehicle, he helps organizations achieve exponential returns on investment—often exceeding 250:1—by turning traditional risk management into a catalyst for cultural transformation, business continuity, and measurable financial improvement. IRMS’s proprietary approach integrates governance, analytics, and scenario planning to transform “risk” from a cost center into a profit enabler.
Before founding IRMS, Jim served in executive risk leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies including AT&T Broadband, MediaOne Group, and TeleTech International. At AT&T Broadband, he orchestrated risk prevention strategies that generated $180 million in cash flow and boosted market value by $1 billion. He led a 450-member team responsible for mitigating enterprise-wide risks in a business that served over 14 million customers. His initiatives at TeleTech saved $8 million annually and catalyzed client-facing programs in fraud management and international insurance—demonstrating his aptitude for aligning enterprise risk with revenue assurance.
Earlier in his career, Jim held pivotal governance roles at U S WEST, where he was instrumental in navigating complex regulatory transitions post-AT&T divestiture. As Executive Director of Corporate Compliance and Strategy, he ensured over 10,000 business activities across 60 subsidiaries adhered to Department of Justice mandates. This role exemplified his deep commitment to ethical governance and legal compliance at scale—a trait that would define his legacy across future roles.
Jim’s early foundation was built at Pacific Northwest Bell, where he cut his teeth on customer operations, marketing, and product development. There, he successfully launched new products generating $10 million in annual revenue and led teams to significant gains in operational productivity. This grounding in operations and client service would become invaluable as he rose to the C-suite, marrying tactical know-how with strategic oversight.
A thought leader in the risk management domain, Jim has shared his expertise globally. He represented the United States industry at the G-8 Summit on Cyber-Terrorism and served on committees with the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, where he helped craft defenses against digital threats and service theft. His leadership extended to shaping cybersecurity architectures and ethical governance structures at a time when such disciplines were emerging corporate imperatives.
Education remains a core pillar of Jim’s journey. A graduate of the Oregon Institute of Technology with a degree in Electrical Engineering (with honors), he has continued to sharpen his leadership through executive coaching, policy development, and regulatory training. His alma mater honored him with the Distinguished Alumni Award, and he now serves on its Foundation Board, further deepening his commitment to the next generation of professionals.
Equally impressive is Jim’s deep and sustained commitment to community service. A Distinguished Eagle Scout, he has devoted over 20 years to foster parenting, supporting more than 70 children in need. He is an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America, serving at both local and national levels, and offers advisory services to the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center. His advocacy for youth and education has earned recognition from the Colorado Legislature and the Governor’s Office.
Jim’s interests extend beyond the boardroom and into the outdoors. A lover of hiking, skiing, woodworking, and camping, he finds inspiration in the natural world—mirroring the resilience and adaptability he brings to his professional work. These passions reflect a lifelong balance between strategic discipline and human connection.
With a global perspective shaped by work in countries like Britain and across the U.S., Jim remains deeply invested in shaping ethical, efficient, and forward-thinking organizations. Whether advising corporate boards, designing compliance architectures, or mentoring emerging leaders, his approach consistently emphasizes values, results, and sustainable growth.
Character:
Jim Blair exemplifies unwavering ethical commitment, with a career grounded in integrity, service, and responsibility to others. His lifetime of public service, board involvement, and foster parenting reflects a deeply held belief in giving back and building resilient communities.
Knowledge:
With over 60 years of executive leadership, Jim’s expertise spans risk governance, cybersecurity, regulatory strategy, and compliance across industries. His scholarly rigor and practical foresight position him as both a strategic thinker and a hands-on architect of operational excellence.
Strategic:
Jim transforms risk into opportunity by aligning corporate policies with long-term strategic imperatives. His ability to integrate governance structures across large organizations has consistently resulted in cost savings, culture shifts, and quantifiable revenue growth.
Communication:
A seasoned public speaker and global advisor, Jim communicates complex risk and compliance concepts with clarity and vision. His approach fosters collaboration across corporate silos and energizes boards to act with foresight and purpose.
