James Garrison

James Garrison is president of Mesa Pacific, LLC, established by Garrison in 2010 for asset leasing, investment management and ERISA plan consulting.

In 2021, Garrison retired as president of Pacific Federal, LLC (PacFed). Based in Glendale, CA, the company was founded by Garrison in 1977. PacFed was acquired by Zenith American Holdings in 2017. Zenith/PacFed is one of the nation’s largest employee benefit administrators. Jim has worked continuously in the health insurance industry for more than 40 years.

Among his many community endeavors, Jim serves on board of directors for the Dolores Huerta Foundation, El Proyecto del Barrio, Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA), VICA PAC and is Chairman of the Development Council for Loyola Marymount University’s Center for the Study of Los Angeles (StudyLA). Garrison is a past member of the Electoral College representing the voters of California.

Jim has been the recipient of the Boys and Girls Club of the San Fernando Valley Golden Hands Award, Teamsters National Hispanic Caucus Community Award, Dolores Huerta Foundation Richard Chavez Memorial Award, Farmworker Justice Corporate and Social Responsibility Award, San Gabriel Valley Civic Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award and Southern California Chapter of the Teamsters National Black Caucus Excellence in Leadership Award.

Annually since 2016, Jim has been named among the San Fernando Valley’s most influential 200 business leaders by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. While under Jim’s leadership, PacFed was inducted into the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) Business Hall of Fame in June 2019.

Jim and Rachel Garrison reside in Glendale, CA and have four grown children and eight grandchildren. One of their shared passions is making Chicano artwork accessible to Angelenos through their support of local artists and public exhibitions. Rachel and Jim enjoy boating and travel.