Jim Morris

A member of Putnam City High School’s Class of 1969, James M. “Jim” Morris II is a longtime Oklahoma business leader, investor, philanthropist, ranch owner, and Chairman of the Board of Hearts for Hearing.

After graduating from Putnam City High School, Jim attended Oklahoma State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1973. He then began a career with John Hancock Financial Services that would span more than three decades and include building and managing agencies throughout the United States. In 1999, he was named CEO of John Hancock’s Boston-based distribution system, and he later served as Chairman and CEO of Signator Investors, Inc. while chairing several Essex companies affiliated with the John Hancock distribution network. He also holds the professional designations of CFP, ChFC, and CLU.

Following his retirement from John Hancock in 2004, Jim founded River Ranch Capital, a private investment company representing his wide range of business interests. Through River Ranch Capital and related ventures, he has been involved in assisted living and memory care communities, oil and gas investments, real estate development, insurance technology, thoroughbred racing, ranching, and cattle operations, including Lazy K Cattle Company and JMM Farms LLC. Across these ventures, Jim has drawn upon his national business experience while maintaining a strong commitment to Oklahoma and the industries and communities that have shaped his life.

Jim has served on the boards of Hearts for Hearing, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and InvesTrust. Through this service, he has supported causes especially meaningful to him, including healthcare, medical research, hearing health, multiple sclerosis treatment, services for children and families, and the preservation of Oklahoma’s western heritage.

Among Jim’s most significant philanthropic contributions is his role in developing the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence. For more than a decade, he supported the project through fundraising, board leadership, donor recruitment, and personal advocacy, helping transform the center from an ambitious vision into a leading regional destination for multiple sclerosis treatment, clinical trials, and neuroimmunology research. Led by Dr. Gabriel Pardo, the center opened in 2011 and now serves thousands of patients each year from Oklahoma and surrounding states while continuing to expand its clinical care, research, imaging, and patient-service capabilities.

Jim’s leadership in medical research and patient care has earned him numerous honors, including the Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Distinguished Service Award from OMRF. He has also received the Maureen Reagan Award from the Alzheimer’s Association and was named a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient by the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association.

As Chairman of the Board of Hearts for Hearing, Jim helps guide the organization’s strategic direction and fundraising efforts. One of Oklahoma’s leading nonprofit organizations serving children and adults with hearing loss, Hearts for Hearing reflects the values that have shaped Jim’s broader civic leadership: expanding access to care, strengthening organizations that improve lives, and helping build lasting institutions for Oklahoma families.

Jim’s story remains deeply rooted in Putnam City Schools, where he met his wife of more than 50 years, Lou. Together, they raised two daughters and now enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. Outside of his business and philanthropic work, Jim remains closely connected to Oklahoma’s western heritage through his interests in ranching, cattle operations, and thoroughbred racing.