James T. Morris is a recognized local, national and global leader in the corporate, civic and non-profit sectors. A graduate of Indiana University with a master’s degree from Butler University, he currently serves as vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. In the early years of his career, he was former Mayor Richard G. Lugar’s chief of staff from 1967 to 1973, before joining the Lilly Endowment where he served for 16 years as president from 1984 to 2002. He was also the chairman and chief executive officer for IWC Resources Corporation and Indianapolis Water Company.

Before going to Pacers Sports and Entertainment, Mr. Morris was the executive director for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), where he led the world’s
largest humanitarian agency from 2002-2007. Concurrently, Mr. Morris was appointed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as Special Envoy for Southern Africa, leading an effort to bring UN and humanitarian agencies together to address issues affecting more than 15 million people.

Mr. Morris has received many honors, including 16 honorary degrees and IU’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award. He has been a trustee and board chairman for both Indiana University and Indiana State University, serves on the national advisory board for the Boy Scouts of America, and was treasurer of the U.S. Olympic Committee. He served as chair of the board for Riley Children’s Foundation, is a former member of the IU Foundation and The International Center board of directors, and was honored as International Citizen of the Year. Currently Mr. Morris serves as the United States permanent representative to the Executive Board of UNICEF.

“In his service in the World Food Program and now with UNICEF, it is based upon humanitarian feelings about people all over the world. He has seen enormous suffering and he has tried his very best to alleviate that through constructive programs and leadership.” – Former senator Richard Lugar on Jim Morris