James Thomas Vollbrecht

James is survived by his father, Tom Vollbrecht; his brother, John Vollbrecht; his ex-wife, Sarah Vollbrecht; and his amazing daughter, Lily, whom he cherished deeply. He was a devoted and loving father, an incredible brother, and a true role model to John. He also leaves behind many cousins, all of whom he loved dearly.

Although born in Dallas, James spent his childhood in Edmond, Oklahoma, and graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School in 1994, where he won the State CX Debate Championship with his close friend Ryan Tawwater. He then attended Washington and Lee University in Virginia, graduating magna cum laude, and later earned his MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

James’s professional career was as remarkable as it was wide-ranging. An expert in strategy, technology, and innovation, he spent over two decades making a deep impact across industries including high-tech, hospitality, aviation, manufacturing, and more. He began his career at Charles River Associates and The Boston Consulting Group, where he led transformative work in operations, IT, and strategy for Fortune 500 companies, private equity firms, and major airlines.

He later held leadership roles at Intellectual Ventures and Vella Bioscience, advised fintech and manufacturing clients on AI and business strategy, and worked with several venture-backed startups. He and John were fortunate enough to work together with James serving as the CTO in charge of product innovation for their golf entertainment startup. James was also a trusted voice in AI strategy, most recently consulting on AI governance and giving guest lectures on the topic at TCU just days before his passing.

Throughout his career, James was known not just for his brilliance but also for his entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, and drive to solve big problems thoughtfully. He brought both intellect and heart to every endeavor.

Outside of work, James was endlessly curious and full of life. He loved board games, flying model airplanes and helicopters, and building custom computers. He was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed biking, playing pickleball, and golfing with his dad and brother. He adored dogs—especially his rescues, Chelsea and Luna. His favorite movie was Top Gun, and the song “Danger Zone” always brought a smile to his face.

James also had a quieter, reflective side. He loved history, reading, and politics—interests he proudly inherited from his mother. He was the life of every party, but also someone who cherished quiet moments, shared thoughtful advice, recommended a favorite podcast, or got lost in a great book.

The family will host a memorial service to honor James’s life on May 9th at the Event Center at Kickingbird Golf Course in Edmond, OK at 1PM. Friends and family are invited to join in celebrating his memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA of Texas, a cause close to James’s heart.

James will be deeply missed by all who had the joy of knowing him.