Jim Skinner was elected McDonald's Vice Chairman and CEO in 2004.

Like nearly half of McDonald's global leadership, Jim's first job was working in his neighborhood McDonald's restaurant in Davenport, Iowa while in high school.

After 10 years in the Navy, Jim returned to McDonald's as a restaurant manager trainee and never looked back. He quickly ascended through the U.S. company before joining McDonald's International management team. In his time with McDonald's International, Jim oversaw development in Central Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. He then went on to run the European operations, before serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of the McDonald's Restaurant Group with operating accountability for 30,000 restaurants in 118 countries.

Jim next was appointed Vice Chairman, a job he held for two years before being elected McDonald's eighth CEO.

Jim serves on the Boards of McDonald's Corporation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Walgreen Company, and Illinois Tool Works.