James is a 66 year-old Vietnam veteran is an entrepreneur/executive, who has built two high-tech manufacturing companies from start-up to merger with major corporations, is a former Department of Defense policy official, an attorney, a magna cum laude graduate of Stanford University and of Harvard Law School, and an active member and leader in a variety of prestigious organizations. From November 1967 to August 1969, Mr. Binns served as a 2nd/1st Lieutenant, US Army Reserve, and on active duty. Additionally, he served as Asst. S-2 Advisor, MACV, in the Chau Doc Province, South Vietnam, from August 1968 to August 1969, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.
In addition to his admirable military service, Mr. Binns has excelled in the business world, as the Chairman of the Board, Parallel Design, Inc., in Tempe, Arizona. Parallel Design received the AZ Tech 50 award in 1999 as the sixth fastest growing high-tech company in Arizona. He served as the Vice President, then President of Advanced Diagnostic Research Corporation (ADR Ultrasound). ADR grew to become an international leader in the manufacture of ultrasound scanners for use in obstetrics, competing with such firms as Toshiba, Siemens, and General Electric. He was also the President of Marcor Incorporated from 1982 to 1993.
Also involved in government, Mr. Binns serves as Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Chair of Congressionally-mandated body of physicians, scientists, and veterans to advise federal government regarding Gulf War illness research. He also served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, US Department of Defense from 1988-89, as the second-ranking DoD official responsible for national security policy regarding Europe and NATO, the Soviet Union, arms control, non-proliferation, nuclear forces, and trade security.
Mr. Binns is also active in his local community and worked as a volunteer executive in charge of downtown revitalization. He is the recipient of the Promethean Award of 1985, for “outstanding accomplishments of leaders in Arizona’s high technology community.” Mr. Binns was also honored as a fellow to the 1985 Anglo-American Conference for the Successor Generation, as one of twenty-five Americans to participate in a conference of Americans and Britons aged 28-40 “considered most likely to succeed to positions of authority in their countries.” Throughout his career, Mr. Binns has been a member and leader of numerous organizations, including the Arizona Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization, George Bush for President primary campaign, George W. Bush for President Campaign, Arizona Finance Committee, Republican Presidential Trust, Phoenix Memorial Hospital Foundation, Sundance Broadcasting Inc., Arizona State University College of Business Administration, Gottesfeld-Hohler Memorial Foundation, Arizona Zoological Society, Valley Citizens League education committee, for his Stanford University Class of 1967 Thirtieth Reunion Fundraising Campaign. Mr. Binns is also a published author in both the Harvard Law Review, of which he was the Editor, and the Chicago Tribune.