James Walton is president of CNN Worldwide. Named to this post in May 2003, Mr. Walton has overall responsibility for leading the company's networks and business, including CNN/U.S., HLN, CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN.com, CNN Airport Channel, CNN Radio and CNN Newsource. He previously served as president and chief operating officer, overseeing editorial and financial operations for CNN. Preceding this, he was president of CNN's domestic networks group, which included CNN/U.S., Headline News and CNN.com.

During Mr. Walton's tenure, CNN Worldwide has experienced exponential growth as it progressed from a broadcast-network focus to a multi-platform news organization designed to give its audience the news of the world via television, radio, computer, cellphone and portable device. CNN's journalism has garnered unrivaled critical acclaim, receiving every major journalism award on numerous occasions including the George Foster Peabody Award, the Alfred I. duPont Award, the Emmy and the Edward R. Murrow award. Notably, CNN won a Peabody for its Hurricane Katrna coverage and a duPont for its coverage of the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia.

Mr. Walton, who joined CNN one year after its 1980 inception, began his career as a video journalist, CNN's entry-level position, and he has held many positions in the television news business – from tape editor to executive producer. From 1996-2000, he was the president of CNN's all-sports network, CNN/Sports Illustrated, while also in charge of the News Group's sports division.  Among his honors is an Emmy Award for coverage of the 1996 Olympic Park bombing.

Mr. Walton earned a bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of Maryland.