James N. Paradies

Vice Chairman

After graduating from college, Jim Paradies served in the U.S. Navy. He then joined the family business as co-founder of The Paradies Shops, and has been lending his leadership and financial skills to the business ever since.

After his stint in the Navy, Paradies, a graduate of Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, went to work for Paradies and Company, a wholesale distributor started by his father, I. J.  With a sharp eye and an ability to lead, Paradies proved to be a key business leader, assuming the role of president and running the company until 1980, when it was sold.

Under his leadership, Paradies and Company captured the market as the largest Corning Ware distributor in the country.

Moving over to The Paradies Shops in 1980, Paradies worked closely with his brother, Dan, to build the airport and hotel concessions business. With a flair for numbers, Jim Paradies oversaw the financial operations of the company, lending an innovative spirit to strengthening company systems and procedures.

Currently serving as vice chairman for The Paradies Shops and affectionately referred to as “Mr. Jimmy,” Paradies provides immeasurable support to all facets of the business reaching far and wide across all company channels. With his leadership, new and veteran team members alike benefit from his knowledge of the business and the industry, the code of ethics he lives by and his genuine, caring style.

His son Gregg now serves as president & CEO of The Paradies Shops, and his daughter Jill P. Nagel is the Director of Human Resources.

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