
James Garrison
Board Member
James Garrison is president of Pacific Federal, LLC (PacFed) in Glendale.
Founded by Garrison in 1977, PacFed was acquired by Zenith American in 2017.
One of the nation’s largest employee benefit administrators, Zenith American provides health & retirement administration solutions to approximately 2-million families from over 45 Zenith-locations across the US. Jim has worked continuously in the health insurance industry for more than 40 years.
Among his many professional endeavors, Jim serves on the executive board of directors for the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and as co-chair of its Health Care Council. He is also a member of the board of directors for the Dolores Huerta Foundation, El Proyecto del Barrio and Music Fund of Los Angeles, and chairman of the Development Council for Loyola Marymount University’s Center for the Study of Los Angeles. He is a past member of the California Electoral College and the California Democratic Party Finance Council.
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.
PacFed was inducted into the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA), San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame in June 2019. Each year since 2016, Jim has been named among the San Fernando Valley’s most influential 200 business leaders by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
Garrison and his wife Rachel reside in Glendale, CA and have four grown children and eight grandchildren. They are past recipients of the March of Dimes Premiere Parents Award. 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 skiing.