James W. Keyes / jameswkeyes.com
CV NEWS FEED // James Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, recently shared his journey from growing up with very little, to becoming a successful businessman, all the while never compromising on his Catholic Faith.
“I grew up in a house without running water, without indoor plumbing. So to be able to live a life of adventure is an amazing thing,” Keyes told news outlet The Catholic Weekly in a May 28 article written by Marcus Middleton. “You have to treat every opportunity as a trail to explore, and let faith be your compass.”
Middleton noted that Keyes “didn’t have the connections, Ivy League Education (although that came later), or generational wealth as his launching pad. Instead, his navigational stars were faith, fortitude, and a well-rounded Catholic education.”
Keyes graduated from College of the Holy Cross with a bachelor’s degree, and, in 1980, he graduated with an MBA in Business from Columbia Business School, according to Keyes’ LinkedIn. In 1985, he became the chief financial officer for 7-Eleven, and served in this position until 2006.
From 2007 to 2011 Keyes was the chairman and chief executive officer for Blockbuster, then at the top of its commercial success. From 2011 to 2013, Keyes served as a Senior Advisor for Blockbuster.
Middleton reported that as Keyes climbed the corporate ladder, his Catholic Faith remained essential to his business strategies.
“His faith led him to believe that shareholder value and social good are not mutually exclusive, that his role as CEO of globally recognised brands provided a unique platform from which to do good,” Middleton wrote.
Keyes also spoke about how Catholicism has shaped his approach to handling polarization and social conflicts as a business leader.
“As a CEO you’re always under pressure to take a stand on whatever the social issue is of the day,” he said. “The problem is, when you captain large companies, your business employs all people, your customers represent all sides. This is where being a Catholic is an advantage. Because we learn to look at all issues in a measured and compassionate way.”
While his Faith has informed his business decisions, Keyes said, “I discovered that it wasn’t necessary to impose my religious beliefs on others, but instead I could accomplish the same objectives through leading by example, letting my faith be the guide.”
From 2012 to 2019, Keyes was chairman at Wild Oats Marketplace, according to his LinkedIn. He is currently chairman at Key Development LLC, a position he has held since 2005. He also enjoys frequently flying small aircraft, including his own “T-6 Texan” plane, according to Middleton, as well as Keyes’ website.
In February, Keyes published his book, “Education is Freedom: The Future is in Your Hands,” about leadership and the importance of education.
