James W. Keyes

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Biographical Information

"James W. Keyes is chairman and chief executive officer of Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI, BBI.B), one of the world's leading providers of in-home movie and game entertainment with reported worldwide revenues of almost $5.3 billion in 2008 and more than 7,400 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. A 21-year veteran of 7-Eleven Inc., the world's largest chain of convenience stores, Keyes served as its president and CEO from 2000 until 2005. Under his leadership, the company experienced record sales and profits and implemented new retail systems technology that improved product assortment decisions in every store. He also ushered in a new era for 7-Eleven through the introduction of a host of new electronic services. Prior to serving as president and CEO, Keyes held a variety of positions at 7-Eleven, including chief financial officer and executive vice president and chief operating officer. Keyes retired from 7-Eleven upon the sale of the company in 2005. Keyes graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelors degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts and earned an MBA from Columbia University. Keyes serves on numerous civic boards, including the national board of governors of the American Red Cross, the Dallas Center for Performing Arts, The Dallas Symphony Association, the Cooper Institute, the SMU/Cox School of Business and the Dallas Education Foundation. A recipient of the Horatio Alger Award in 2005 and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2008, Keyes was also the founder of the Education is Freedom Foundation, which provides college scholarships for hard-working young students."