James P. Wilmot (1911–1980) was a pioneer aviation executive, landowner, philanthropist and horse breeder who served as Finance Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Beginning his career as an employee of Rochester Municipal Airport, he started a pilot-training company called Page Airways.
He was chairman of the Democratic Party's Finance Committee, and a good friend of such figures as House Speaker Thomas P. Tip O'Neill,[5] Senator Henry M. 'Scoop' Jackson and Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who relaxed at Wilmot's estate after the 1968 Presidential Election campaign.
[7][8] In 1974, one of his and his brother's horses, Gold and Myrrh, sired by Damascus, ran in the 100th Kentucky Derby,[9] and he met special guest the Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II.
[11] Today, William B. is a top thoroughbred horse breeder along with his wife Joan Taylor through the family's Stepwise Farm, located in Saratoga Springs, New York.