Campaign Statement

Over the past decade it seems we have had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows related to our beloved school. My candidacy for the Alumni Council is based on preserving its History and Mission. It recognizes the very real practical needs to ensure CUAA vocalizes the will of the Alumni. I support the continuance of the Public Trust enacted by the NYS Legislature according to the wishes of Peter Cooper. I will work to communicate internally and externally to the community, supporters and the Public that Peter Coopers mandate of an institution to provide education that is “Open and Free to All” is worthy of support and that same support and the Duty of Loyalty to Peter Coopers vision is to be provided by the Governance. The need for an active CUAA has never been greater, our current President John Leeper Ar 85 stated the following in a letter issued in the March 2014 Alumni CUAA Newsletter:

“As we all know, our Cooper Union has recently made a fundamental change: the incoming class of 2014 will be the first that will be charged tuition. The Board of Trustees made this decision after considering the financial position of our school. Many of us are unhappy with the decision and are unwilling to accept this as a long term solution. Now is not the time for us to turn away from our school. There is no hope for Cooper Union to return to its heritage without us.”

CUAA is under threat of being marginalized and the time to unite as Alumni to ensure that does not happen is now. We must stand united to preserve our History and ensure The Mission envisioned by Peter Cooper is sustained in perpetuity. With your vote I will work to represent the Alumni and support The Cooper Union.

Bio

James is a Professional Engineer with focused work in wastewater treatment and municipal infrastructure. He makes his home in Glen Ellyn, IL, a suburb of Chicago, with his wife and daughters, Christine a Certified Stenographer, Elizabeth (Economics, Illinois Wesleyan University, 2014) and Rebecca (Conservation Biology, St Andrews University, 2015). James currently is the District Engineer for the Flagg Creek Water Reclamation District in Burr Ridge, IL. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he attended NYC Public Schools through High School. James graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1979 and then majored in Chemical Engineering at Cooper graduating in 1983. He keeps strong ties in the NYC area with family, friends and colleagues. After graduation James taught high school in Brooklyn for a short period while attending CUNY to obtain his education accreditation. He then worked for the US Army Corp of Engineers, NYSDEC and NYCDEP steadily assuming more responsibilities. In 1994 James transitioned from the public sector to the private sector accepting a position with a major chemical manufacturing company. In 2001 he became an engineering consultant in NY and IL primarily, with assignments nationwide. James has diversified experience and has worked on infrastructure projects both small and large. While with the NYCDEP he was involved in major wastewater plant upgrade projects with costs in the billions of dollars. He is recognized as a practical, competent professional, skilled in organizational team building and leadership and is a member of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Municipal Design Committee and 25 Year Operator Club.  He has co-authored papers and presented on chemical addition to enhance wastewater treatment and the use of fixed media to enhance the activated sludge process.