James “Jim” Banks is a 1979 graduate of Maple Hts. High School. He attended the University of Toledo and received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) in 1986. He also received a Master of Science in Operations Management (MBA) from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2005. Jim spent his professional career in manufacturing. His first eleven (11) years were in steel production for Cargill Inc. in Monroe, Michigan and Welded Tube Corp. in Chicago, Illinois. He also worked in chemicals production during his last twenty-seven (27) years for Lyondell Basell in Chicago and Occidental Petroleum in Houston Texas. His career in operations management resulted in roles of increasing responsibility. Jim retired from Occidental Petroleum in 2024 after serving as Plant Manager for Occidental Chemical plants in Dallas, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jim was a founding member of Matteson Youth Athletic Association (MYAA) in 2003, a 501c3 non-profit for boys’ and girls’ youth athletics in the Chicago suburbs. MYAA sponsored youth football, cheerleading, and wrestling for families for residents in communities it served.
Jim is the proud father of four children and grandfather to nine wonderful grandchildren.
