Jim Pressman started at his family business, the Pressman Toy Corporation, in 1971 and then becoming President just 6 years later. His great leadership and unrivaled integrity brought the Pressman Toy Corp. incredible success. He sold the company in 2014 after 35 years of leading one of the most innovative and successful firms in the toy industry.
Many of their most successful product launches, many of which became #1 Best Sellers, happened under Jim's leadership. These iconic games included: Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, Rummikub, Tri-Ominos, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, Double Dare, Gooey Louie, Hydro Strike, Fib Finder, Dizzy Dizzy Dinosaur, Let’s Go Fishin’ and Topple.. Pressman also manufactured and supplied classic games like Chess, Checkers, Backgammon, and Chinese Checkers (which the company introduced to the U.S. market).
During his time at Pressman, Jim created new and lasting categories of games. He was responsible for taking widely popular game shows and turning them into board games, making Wheel of Fortune, The Newlywed Game, and many others. He also pioneered the "Gross" Game category in his launch of Gooey Louie which has been a huge success.
Jim is a strong believer in US manufacturing and kept making high quality products in the USA through 2005 in New Jersey until the pricing was no longer competitive. After moving overseas, Jim's ensured continued equitable production and manufacturing of their products.
He also was a major donor at the charity Toys for Tots and the Strong Museum of Toys in Rochester, NY. He also frequently supported many other charities supporting children's causes including the Toys R Us's various fundraising initiatives.
Many of Jim's lifelong colleagues frequently reference his incredible and unrivaled integrity, humility, and thoughtfulness, which lead them to nominate him for the Toy Hall of Fame.