Jim Hinson, a quiet man whose leadership at Dr. Phillips Charities changed the landscape of Central Florida’s performing arts scene, died early this week following an undisclosed illness. He was 78.
“Jim was legendary, but he didn’t like a lot of fanfare,” said longtime friend and business associate Jim Ferber, the former CEO of the YMCA of Central Florida, who recently took over for Hinson as board chairman for Dr. Phillips Charities. “He was usually behind the scenes, just making sure things were getting done.”
At the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, for instance, Hinson oversaw a $35 million investment from his organization — including the center’s first major contribution and one that spurred others to donate.
But he also steered the organization to invest in health care, working with Orlando Health to fund the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and the Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families, which helps young victims of abuse.
Hinson is also credited with initial funding for the Y’s “Safe Start” drowning-prevention program that has reached 13,400 infants and toddlers since 1999. And he supported grants to local school districts and the University of Central Florida.
“Jim Hinson was a very, very honorable, quality man — just one of the best you could meet,” said Ken Robinson, president of Dr. Phillips Charities. “A visionary leader for over 50 years, [he] took Dr. Phillips Inc. from a successful for-profit family business to one of the region’s most generous and important charitable organizations.”
Born James Anthony Hinson, he began his career with Dr. Phillips Inc. as a bookkeeper in 1957 and soon moved up through the ranks. He helped transition the organization — once the largest citrus producer in the world — into a nonprofit operation and carry out the philanthropic legacy of its founder, Dr. Philip Phillips, wife Della and son Howard.
Hinson became president of Dr. Phillips Charities in 1985, a position he held until 2008, when he stepped down but remained as chairman of the board. He held that post until resigning in late July.
During his tenure, Hinson oversaw more than $150 million in grant-making from his organization.
And despite his low-profile tendencies, Ferber said, Hinson made a point of bringing roses from the Dr. Phillips gardens to business meetings.
“He’d walk into the Y with a milk jug full of freshly cut roses and give them to the receptionist or the administrative assistants,” Ferber said. “It let you know how much he valued the relationships, even if he didn’t say so. It humanized him.”
Hinson, who lived in Windermere, died Monday night. He is survived by his wife, Rita Hinson, and three sons: James Anthony Hinson Jr., Donald Scott Hinson and John Douglas Hinson; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Downtown Baptist Church, 120 E. Pine St. in Orlando. Parking is available in the garage on Church Street behind Downtown Baptist.
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