Jim Beckett

DRG director Jim Beckett is currently CEO of Beckett Interests Inc. of Dallas, Texas. He is the founder of Beckett Publications Inc., the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles publisher, and served as its CEO from 1984 until its sale in January 2005.

Beckett Publications’ titles included Beckett Baseball, Beckett Basketball, Beckett Football, Beckett Hockey, Beckett Racing, Beckett Fantasy Sports Powered by Rotoworld.com, Neopets (The Official Magazine), Beckett Pokemon, Beckett Dragonball Z, Beckett Anime & Manga, Beckett Yu-Gi-Oh Unofficial Collector and a number of other titles.

Beckett has authored more than 50 sports-related books, including numerous annual price guides in several collectible fields.

After earning his Ph.D. in statistics from Southern Methodist University in 1975, he was a tenured associate professor of statistics at Bowling Green State University until 1980. He then served as a full-time consultant and expert witness for corporate and government clients in large federal class actions from 1980-1986.

In addition to his personal business pursuits, Beckett currently serves on the boards of Grad Resources, Liquid Motors, Salvation Army (DFW Metroplex Advisory Board) and West Dallas Initiative. He is also a member of the American Statistical Association, Benefactors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Dallas Theological Seminary Presidents Council, Preston Trail Golf Club, The Society for American Baseball Research, Stonebriar Community Church and World Presidents Organization.

He is active with numerous local, national and international ministries and non-profits on a pro-bono basis, both personally as well as through an informal SHINE network that he founded nearly 10 years ago.

Beckett is a life-long learner, and his hobbies include golf, antiques, fitness, fine dining, musicals, reading and traveling.