Start-up Stategy and Operations Mentor-- Jim Ward

If there's anyone who understands the operations and strategy side of things for start-ups, it's Jim Ward.

In May 2004, Ward was named President of LucasArts, helping spark renewed growth in the company with such game hits as Star Wars: Battlefront, Knights of the Old Republic II and Mercenaries, along with the immensely popular massively multiplayer online game Star Wars: Galaxies. Under Ward’s leadership, LucasArts became one of the most critically acclaimed game publishers and saw several of its titles reach the top of best-seller lists.

A native of Rockford, Ill., Ward received his Bachelor of Science degree from Hanover College and a Master of International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird).

Ward has been named one of Advertising Age’s Top 100 Marketers and was EPM’s 1999 Entertainment Marketer of the Year. He was Thunderbird’s Alumnus of the Year with Distinction in Marketing in 2000 and received Hanover College’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2003.  He is also frequently found on the speaking tour, having been invited to speak at numerous AMA, AAAA and AAF engagements, and at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and the Wharton School of Business, in addition to speaking internationally at ESADE/Berkeley Haas School of Business in Barcelona. Jim is also a Professor Emeritus of Wal-Mart University, an ongoing forum for employee learning whose guests have ranged from Gen. Colin Powell to top executives from the corporate world. 

Ward also served as Chairman of the Entertainment Software Association in 2007, was Chairman of the Creative Committee for the 2016 San Francisco Olympic Bid Committee and was nominated for an Emmy in 2007 as an Executive Producer for a Primetime Non-Fiction Special.

Currently, Ward and his family live in Scottsdale, Arizona where Jim serves on the Economic Development and Public Policy Advisory Boards of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce and is a Legislative District 8 Precinct Captain of the Pinnacle South Precinct.  He also ran for Congress in Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District during the 2010 cycle.

Wow. Hang out with Jim for the evening at Mentorfest,
Monday November 1, 5:30-8:30pm.
Apply now so you don't miss this incredible opportunity!