Jim Haslam

James Arthur Haslam II (born December 13, 1930) is an American businessman, best known as the founder of Pilot Company, which operates a chain of convenience stores and travel centers throughout the United States and Canada, and is one of the largest privately owned companies in the United States. His father was a World War I veteran who was, at the time, working for the Studebaker Corporation. had four fuel pumps, and sold cigarettes and soft drinks. That year, Haslam's son, Jimmy, moved up to CEO, while his other son, Bill, moved up to president. Haslam became the company's chairman. In 2003, Pilot bought 60 locations from Williams' Travel Centers for $189 million. By 2008, Pilot was the nation's largest operator of travel centers, with locations in 40 states and Canada, and was the nation's largest seller of over-the-road diesel fuel. That year, Pilot bought out Marathon's share of Pilot Travel Centers for $700 million, and in turn, sold a 47.5% stake to CVC Investments. He was also appointed chairman of the Knox County Public Building Authority in the early 1970s. In 1999, Knox County declined to reappoint Haslam to the Public Building Authority, which some interpreted as revenge for his support of a failed metropolitan government initiative the previous year. In 2021 he donated to Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat) and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (Democrat), $2,900 to each.

Philanthropy Haslam serves on the University of Tennessee's board of trustees and has donated tens of millions of dollars to the school and its athletic programs over the years. In 2002, the football team's new practice field was named "Haslam Field" in his honor. The Haslam family's $32.5 million donation in 2006 represents the school's largest gift ever. Part of this money was used to construct the new College of Business building, the James A. Haslam II Business Building, as well as to construct a new building for the School of Music, The Natalie L. Haslam Music Center. The money also supported construction of the Baker Center and renovations to Neyland Stadium. In 2014, the University of Tennessee announced that its College of Business would be renamed in honor of Haslam after the family donated $50 million to the university.

Personal life Haslam married Cynthia Allen in 1953. Haslam married his longtime friend, Natalie Leach Tucker, in 1976. Through her, he has three stepchildren, Jennie McCabe, Susan Robie, and Carol Pattison. but sold it to accommodate his purchase of the Cleveland Browns franchise in August 2012, and the co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.