James Jinnette

Executive Director, Quality and Enterprise Learning
PPD Division of Thermo Fisher Scientific

James serves as executive director of quality and enterprise learning for the PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific. In this role, he leads the central team of learning and development specialists who develop and deliver learning programs and technologies to support the business. He promotes recognition of company training programs among customers and delivers employee training and development programs in connection with the company's objectives, strategies and processes. His organization is responsible for managing resources and workloads across a variety of learning projects, focusing on talent and skills development programs, while maintaining adherence to timelines and learning standards to foster a climate of continual improvement. In addition, he serves as a key focal point for a variety of training leaders associated with job-specific training groups arrayed across the business, and formally leads the business ‘Learning Leaders Forum’ to foster teamwork and collaboration in the learning space. His team spans the globe with employees in 8 countries who listen to business training needs, then deliver award-winning programs. Before joining the business in 2014, James served as a Colonel in the United States Air Force. He deployed five times in support of combat operations over Iraq and Afghanistan. He has over 3300 total flying hours in multiple global locations as an instructor/evaluator pilot. James earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geography from the United States Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in Organizational Management from The George Washington University, a master’s in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, and a master’s in Military Arts & Sciences from the Air Force Command and Staff College.