Jim F. Barksdale

Jim Barksdale
Personal details
Born	James Freeman Barksdale March 20, 1953 Macon, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Alma mater	College of William and Mary (BS) University of Pennsylvania (MBA)
Website	Campaign website

James Freeman "Jim" Barksdale (born March 20, 1953) is an American executive who serves as the President and Chief Investment Officer at Equity Investment Corporation, which he founded in 1986.

Early life and education

Jim Barksdale was born in Macon, Georgia, and attended church and high school in Atlanta. He received a B.S. degree in Psychology from the College of William and Mary in 1975 before going on to receive his MBA from the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania in 1977.^[1]

Career

Barksdale’s career began in the finance department at IC Industries where he was engaged in investments, acquisition analysis, and planning. He then went on to work at Merrill Lynch & Co., becoming involved in risk assessment and asset allocation strategies. He then served as a Portfolio Manager at Management Asset Corporation.^[1]

After leaving Management Asset Corporation, Barksdale founded the investment advisory firm Equity Investment Corporation in 1986. The firm emphasizes long-term investment success by avoiding significant losses, and offers socially responsible investment funds for investors with social mandates. As of late 2015, the firm managed or advised $5.2 billion for clients.^[2][3]

Personal life and philanthropy

In 1986, Barksdale returned to his home town of Atlanta, where he started a family and raised two children.

He has served on the Board of Councilors at the Carter Center since 2008.

Barksdale was the lead philanthropist behind a successful proposal to bring renowned sculptor Robert Berks' iconic 3,000-lb. bronze monument of Albert Einstein to the Georgia Tech campus.^[4] Barksdale was particularly passionate about Einstein’s legacy as a human rights advocate.^[5] A star chart at Einstein’s feet depicts the Atlanta night sky on the day of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.^[6] The sculpture is one of three originals created by Robert Berks, the other two residing in Washington, DC and Israel. The project was successfully completed in October 2015.^[7]

2016 US Senate campaign

With the support of Democratic Party leaders, including current Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, DuBose Porter, Jim Barksdale entered the race against incumbent Republican Senator Johnny Isakson in March 2016.^[8] On May 24, 2016, Barksdale defeated his two primary challengers for the Democratic nomination, getting almost 54% of the vote.^[9][10] By winning more than 50 percent of the vote, Barksdale avoided a runoff.

Political positions

Climate change

On his Campaign’s Issues page, Jim Barksdale states that "climate change is a reality and if left unchecked, rising ocean tides will harm Georgia’s Atlantic coast and threaten our state’s robust tourism and shipping industries”.^[11]

References

1. "Executive Profile - James Freeman Barksdale". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
2. "Equity Investment Corporation". eicatlanta.com.
3. Strauss, Lawrence (20 July 2013). "Investing,Ted Williams -- Style". Barron's. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
4. Diamond, Laura. "Georgia Tech Home to World's Third and Final Statue of Einstein". news.gatech.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
5. Ivy, Susie. "Einstein Comes to Georgia Tech: Latest Arts Acquisition Brings Robert Berks' Monument to Campus". provost.gatech.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
6. Braukman, Stacy. "The Art of Genius". news.gatech.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
7. "Albert Einstein Statue To Arrive On Georgia Tech Campus". news.wabe.org. Associated Press.
8. Bluestein, Greg. "Party-backed Georgia Democrat qualifies for U.S. Senate seat". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
9. Georgia Secretary of State
10. Politico
11. "Seeking a Clean Energy Future". Retrieved 15 September 2016.