Such bold and decisive approaches have become a trademark for Thomas, who has emerged in recent years as a business and civic leader with a reputation for taking on tough, big-scale projects that change Los Angeles. Universal Studios President Ron Meyer said he wanted Thomas to handle the office portion of the project because Thomas had a reputation for completing big tasks.
"He is just such a solid guy that you feel very comfortable being in his hands," Meyer said. To avoid traffic himself, Thomas leaves his Brentwood home at around 6 a.m., when roads are mostly clear, for his trip to company headquarters downtown. He had a driver for a while but found the personal service to be "a nuisance," he said.
"Jim is a Warren Buffett-type," said Stan Ross, chairman of the Lusk Center for Real Estate at USC. "He's fiscally conscious, family oriented and he's not overly aggressive with people."