Jim Skinner

James Alan Skinner (born 1944 in Illinois) is an American business executive. He was the Vice Chairman and CEO of McDonald's Corporation. Skinner began his career with McDonald's in 1971 as a restaurant manager trainee in Carpentersville, Illinois.


After serving nearly ten years in the United States Navy, Skinner began his career with McDonald’s as a restaurant manager trainee in Carpentersville, Illinois in 1971, and since then has held numerous leadership positions. He never graduated from college .
Prior to becoming CEO, Skinner was President and Chief Operating Officer of the McDonald's Restaurant Group with corporate management responsibility for Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA), and Latin America. Prior to that, he was responsible for McDonald’s Japan Limited, their second-largest market. Skinner held numerous positions in the U.S. Corporation, including Director of Field Operations, Market Manager, Regional Vice President and U.S. Senior Vice President and Zone Manager.


Jim Skinner was named CEO of McDonald's Corp. in 2004 and refocused the company on customer strategies, business disciplines and close global alignment. Jim Skinner currently serves as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for McDonald’s Corporation. Vice Chairman was a position that he held before becoming CEO in November 2004. Beginning his career with McDonald’s in 1971, Skinner quickly advanced and held many leadership positions during his 39 years with McDonald’s. These positions include President and Chief Operating Officer of the McDonald's Restaurant Group and President and Chief Operating Officer of McDonald's - Europe, Asia, Pacific and Middle East. Along with his current positions, he also serves on the Board of McDonald's Corporation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Walgreen Company and ITW (Illinois Tool Works). His greatest accomplishment, the “Plan to Win” strategy, managed to flip the company by reversing its falling profits. This strategy focused on improving on locations that already existed instead of expanding and building more. They hoped to achieve “faster, friendlier service; tastier food; a more appealing ambiance; better value; and sharper marketing.” By shifting strategies, Skinner and his team were able to increase McDonald’s total sales, increasing from $50.1 billion in 2004 to $70.1 billion in 2008. Because of his outstanding leadership, vision and execution, Chief Executive magazine named Jim Skinner 2009 CEO of the Year.