James Beaubeaux is a San Diego businessman, nonprofit leader, and lifelong community volunteer whose work has quietly shaped organizations across the region.
From childhood entrepreneur to entertainer, bookstore owner, theatre executive, and healthcare leader, his path has always followed the same instinct—build something meaningful, and make it better than you found it.
Early Hustle & First Signs of Service
James came to San Diego as a young military dependent.
Long before he would have called it “business,” he was already building one. What started as a hobby painting slot cars quickly turned into something more. By the late 1960s, “Jimbos” cars were in demand at raceways across San Diego County.
By thirteen, he was working behind the counter at the Armed Services YMCA raceway in downtown San Diego.
James also spent summers traveling the Southern California fair circuit as a carnival worker — a “carney” in the old tradition.
He worked at a slot car racing attraction, serving as the voice of the midway attraction: announcing races, drawing crowds, calling winners, and sometimes scrambling to place flying slot cars back onto the track after spectacular wipeouts.
It was one of the more unusual and memorable jobs of his teenage years and an early introduction to working a microphone and holding the attention of a crowd.
A high school fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy quietly set something in motion—a lifelong commitment to serving others.
He went on to serve as president of his high school Key Club, earned recognition from the California Scholarship Federation.
He was selected to represent his community at Boy’s State California.
Magic, Education & Reaching Thousands
At 18, while attending San Diego State University, James was already running another full-time business—performing as a professional magician under the name Jim Bobo.
Throughout the 1970s, he became one of San Diego’s most recognized entertainers. But the work was never just about performance.
Each year, he presented more than 500 school assemblies—reaching over 100,000 students across San Diego.
Every September brought a completely new show: History. Math. Reading. Music. Cultural diversity.
Always designed to make learning feel like wonder.
He also volunteered performances for hospitalized children and individuals with developmental disabilities, using magic not just to entertain—but to connect.
Building a Business — The Bookstore Years
In 1978, James took a leap and acquired a small bookstore in Lemon Grove.
With a sharp eye for numbers and a deep respect for customers, he steadily grew the business—eventually increasing annual sales by more than 2,000%.
In 1995, he successfully negotiated a merger with a national mail-order company, closing one chapter and opening the door to the next.
Theatre, Growth & Transformation
What began as volunteer service with Lamb’s Players Theatre grew into something much larger.
Over the next 15 years, as CFO, James helped guide the organization through a period of remarkable growth—expanding its budget from $500,000 to $4.5 million and growing its staff from 10 to more than 50 employees.
He played a key role in raising $2.5 million for a new theatre space and supervised the restoration of the historic 1917 Spreckels building, transforming it into a state-of-the-art performance venue.
He also led the restoration of the 1898 Thomson House, converting it into the organization’s headquarters—blending preservation with purpose.
Healthcare, Leadership & Community Impact
In 2005, James stepped into a new chapter with the San Diego County Medical Society , serving as CFO/COO during a period of rapid growth.
His work extended far beyond the organization itself.
Over the years, he contributed to initiatives focused on improving access to care, strengthening coordination between healthcare systems, and supporting underserved communities throughout San Diego.
His involvement spanned public health, emergency medicine collaboration, infectious disease response, and nonprofit leadership—bringing together organizations that might not otherwise have worked side by side.
You can read an article about James published in the July 2016 edition of the San Diego Physician magazine.
Even in retirement, that work continues with Alliance Healthcare Foundation.
Family, Life & Continuing the Journey
James retired from the San Diego County Medical Society in 2016—but not from contributing.
He continues to serve on nonprofit boards and advisory groups, staying connected to the community he has helped shape for decades.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Carmen, in 1975.
Fifty years later, they celebrated their anniversary by spending three months living in Vienna—still exploring, still learning, still moving forward together.
Their journey has included raising a son, serving their community, and building a life shaped by purpose, curiosity, and quiet determination.
Education
James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Technology from San Diego State University and a Master of Science in Information Technology Management from Coleman University, where he graduated summa cum laude as valedictorian of his class.