Jim McGroddy retired from IBM on October 1, 1996. Since January 1, 1996, he had been Senior Vice President and Special Advisor to the Chairman. From 1989 to the end of 1995 he was Senior Vice President, Research, responsible for the work of about 2500 technical professionals in seven research laboratories around the world. Two of these laboratories, in Beijing, China, and in Austin, Texas, were established under his leadership. He was also a member of IBM's Worldwide Management Council.

Jim originally joined IBM Research in 1965 after receiving his PhD in Physics from the University of Maryland and a BS from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. For a number of years he focused on research in solid state physics and devices, and he was named a Fellow of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (the IEEE) and the American Physical Society for achievements in these areas. In 1970 and 71 he was a Visiting Professor of Physics at the Danish Technical University. He served in a number of management positions in research, development and manufacturing before returning to head the Research Division in 1989. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, Chairman of the Board of Integrated Surgical Systems, a Trustee of Phelps Memorial Hospital Center and a Trustee of St. Joseph's University.