Jim Robinson

1934 - 2018

November 10, 1934 - December 4, 2018 Jim passed away on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 with his wife and son by his side. Jim had been experiencing declining health in the last year, but continued to fight to regain his health and his strength. He so badly wanted to return to the golf course with friends and resume skiing the slopes in Sun Valley, Idaho with his beloved granddaughters. Jim was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 10, 1934 and was adopted by Edna Woodbury Robinson and Ferbie Allen Robinson. Jim developed asthma at a young age, and the family moved to California for drier air and warmer climate. He graduated from San Bernardino High School and earned his bachelor's degree from California State Los Angeles. While in college, he enlisted in the Army National Guard, earning the Distinguished Cadet Honor and obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jim had a thirst for knowledge and continued his education throughout his career, obtaining his graduate degree from Southern Methodist University. He later taught in SMU's summer sessions for several years. Jim attended Stanford University, completing their Financial Management Program in 1983 and Harvard University Graduate School of Business Executive Program in 1987, with a focus on Agri Business. In 1992, he attended the Aspen Institute Executive Management Program with executives from around the world. Jim's original career goal was accounting, and he interviewed with Arthur Anderson but elected instead to pursue a career in banking. Jim entered the world of banking on the ground floor as a messenger for Security First National Bank which later became Security Pacific National Bank. He entered the Bank's management training program and once he graduated, he managed a series of larger bank branches in Riverside and San Bernardino County. In 1973, Jim was promoted to Regional Manager of the Los Angeles headquarters division and moved his family to Seal Beach. In 1975, he was again promoted, this time to Division Manager for the Inland Empire and he and his family returned to Riverside. Ultimately, his role expanded to include all the branches and commercial lending responsibility from the Central Valley down to Imperial County. Jim elected to retire from Security Pacific National Bank in 1992 and was immediately hired as the President and CEO of Riverside National Bank. Jim and the board elected to sell the bank to City National Bank in 1997, and he remained an executive until again retiring in 2003. A group of community leaders urged him to form a new community bank headquartered in the Inland Empire so he, together with a management team, selected a Board of Directors and opened Security Bank of California in 2005. Jim was the Chairman and CEO until the bank was sold to Pacific Premier Bank in 2016 and he retired for the last time. During his career, Jim felt it was important to give back to the communities he served and sat on numerous boards in the regions he worked that included Fresno, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. He was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young in 1990 and was recognized by UCR as the Management Leader of the Year in 1996-1997. He was named an Executive Fellow of UCR's A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management for the 1999-2000 school year. In addition, he was recognized as the Distinguished Executive Officer by the School of Business at California State San Bernardino in 2012. Jim spent over 20 years as member of Executive Bulls, a group of agricultural leaders throughout California. Jim worked with UCR's Chancellor and the Dean of the School of Business to establish the first forecasting center focused on the economic health of the Inland Empire Region. Jim and his bank were the lead donors to that effort. Jim is preceded in death by his first wife Shirley Wilkins Robinson and daughter Kristen Robinson Olsen. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Barbara Robinson, his son James Allen Robinson, Jr. (Jamie), wife Melissa and their two daughters, Grace and Gabrielle as well as his son-in-law Craig Olsen and Jim's grand-daughter Mallory Olsen. In lieu of flowers, the Robinson Family suggests memorial contributions to the James A. Robinson Family Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of California, Riverside ? the UCR Foundation, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, Ca 92521. A gathering to celebrate Jim's life will take place on Monday, December 17th at 2p.m. at the Victoria Club., 2521 Arroyo Drive, Riverside, California.