James Anthony Hinson

September 22, 2015 (Orlando, FL) The Board of Directors of Dr. Phillips, Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation (Dr. Phillips Charities) announced today with profound sorrow the passing of Jim Hinson, the organization’s former President, CEO and Chairman.

“A visionary leader for over 50 years, Jim took Dr. Phillips, Inc. from a successful for-profit family business to one of the region’s most generous and important charitable organizations,” said Ken Robinson, current President and CEO of Dr. Phillips Charities.

Once the largest citrus producer in the world, Dr. Philip Phillips left a legacy that spanned several generations of the Phillips family, and Jim Hinson joined the family business at a pivotal time.

“Jim had the privilege of working for each member of the entire founding family, including Dr. Philip Phillips, his wife, Della Phillips and their eldest son, Howard Phillips. Through their vision Jim learned first-hand the family philosophies that would guide Dr. Phillips Charities through growth and diversification,” continued Robinson.

“Helping Others Help Themselves” became a guiding principle for the organization under Jim’s leadership, and his personal oversight on more than $150 million dollars in grant-making during his tenure resulted in grants that continue to have a significant and lasting impact on the community.

Focusing on innovative and worthy capital projects that addressed community needs and demonstrated potential ongoing support from the community became Jim’s hallmark. Despite his passing, Jim Hinson’s impactful legacy in Central Florida will continue to be felt in nearly every aspect of life in this community, perhaps most visibly in health care and the arts.

Tapping into the vast business knowledge he learned from Dr. Philip Phillips, Jim worked with Orlando Health to fund The Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and the Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families.

With a nod to Della Phillips’ devotion to music and the arts, Jim encouraged the Dr. Phillips Charities board to provide the lead grant for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. And to ensure that Howard Phillips’ passion for education and youth would be recognized, programs such as Junior Achievement, the YMCA of Central Florida, “Safe Start” and numerous initiatives at the University of Central Florida and both the Orange and Osceola Public Schools were made possible by grants from the Dr. Phillips Charities with Jim Hinson at the helm.

One example of Jim’s unique hands-on leadership is the organization’s recent $1 million dollar gift to Orange and Osceola Public Schools in their mission to address the plight of homeless children.  “Making it possible for every homeless child in Orange and Osceola County to receive new clothing for two years was a particular moment of pride for Jim,” Ken Robinson said. “And making certain each child was sized correctly with the clothes delivered wrapped like a gift was trademark Jim Hinson style.”

“Jim was the perfect man to lead Dr. Phillips Charities, transforming the organization, preparing it for the future in a way only Jim could have done,” Dr. Phillips Charities current Chairman, Jim Ferber, stated. “Certainly Dr. Phillips Charities, and the myriad of beneficiaries of the organization’s charitable gifts, have all benefitted from Jim’s leadership and wise counsel. In order for any organization or community to not just grow but to flourish you need a strong leader. Jim has been that leader for Dr. Phillips Charities, the Dr. Phillips Community and Orlando. He will be greatly missed.”

Jim is survived by his wife, Rita Hinson and his three sons; James Anthony Hinson Jr., Donald Scott Hinson, John Douglas Hinson, seven grandchildren and one great grandson. Services will be held Saturday, September 26th at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church Downtown located at 120 East Pine Street, Orlando, Florida 32801.

Parking is available in the parking garage on Church Street behind First Baptist. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the YMCA of Central Florida. Gifts can be mailed to the YMCA Metro Office at 433 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803.