E. Pendleton James

E. Pendleton James passed away on October 29, 2025 in Greenwich, CT, at age 96. He grew up in Washington, Illinios and graduated from the University of the Pacific. He had a successful career for fifty years as an executive recruiter in Los Angeles, Washington, and New York. In 1970 he was asked by President Richard Nixon to be the Deputy Special Assistant to the President for White House Personnel. At that time he relocated his family to Washington, DC. In 1973 he returned to Los Angeles and joined Russell Reynolds Associates. In 1980 he was recruited by President-Elect Ronald Reagan to serve as the Director of Presidential Personnel in the presidential transition. After the inauguration, he was appointed to be the Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel. In the first two years of the Reagan Administration he successfully led the vetting and appointment of thousands of nominees for cabinet and sub-cabinet positions, including ambassadorships. He left the White House in late 1982 and moved to Greenwich. He then started his own executive search firm in New York. His faith was central in his life and he was a deacon of the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich. He was also a board member of the Greenwich Historical Society. He is survived by his wife Betty of Darien, CT; children Julie and Rob; and two grandsons Jack and Henry. A memorial service was held at the Second Congregational Church on November, 8th. Donations in memory of Pen James may be made to his church.