About A. James Berkel

BSME 1959, MSM
Professional ME 2003, UMR
OGS Member

Jim’s entire career was at Caterpillar, Inc., where he moved from product design of earthmoving equipment components to development of computer-assisted analysis programs and went on to manage total worldwide vehicle design. His corporate managerial responsibilities have included such positions as Engineering Manager in France, Director of Joint Venture, Caterpillar-Mitsubishi in Japan, and the corporate position from which he retired in 1996. Jim was a member of the Illinois Community College Board for the State of Illinois. This board has governance over Illinois’ 48 community colleges. He chaired the Adult Education Committee, chaired the CEO Search Committee, member of the Community College Funding Study, Adult Education Advisory Council, Adult Education Funding Study, Illinois International Education Advisory Council, and the Performance Evaluation Committee. Jim, for the past several years, did product litigation consulting for Caterpillar. He currently is the Chairman of the Board of the Illinois Community College System Foundation, is a member of the Oak Run Property  Owners Association, and Ocean Reef in Key Largo, Florida. Jim and Sue enjoy golfing, fishing, and traveling. Jim remains active in AMAE and currently is Vice-Chairman of the Communications Committee and a member of the Executive Committee of OGS. In May 2003 Jim received an honorary Professional Engineers Degree of Mechanical Engineering from UMR.