About James R. Murphy

BSME 1968, UMR
MSAE 1970, UMR
Professional AE 1992, UMR
OGS Member

Jim joined Ford Motor Company in 1971, as part of a program to bring aerospace technology into the automotive industry. Jim then joined American Motors in 1979, as director of product planning, leading the Renault partnership and the introduction of the Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wrangler. Jim joined Modern Engineering in 1987, where he was responsible for the automotive industry's first complete vehicle, full-service outsourced design program. Jim later joined TI Automotive, the world's largest automotive tube and hose supplier, as executive vice president, before joining Eaton Corporation in 1997. At Eaton, Jim was responsible for the management of all product development activities to increase the automotive components group's business. In 1999 Jim joined Pilot Industries, as senior vice president and general manager of Pilot Automotive, a global leader in supplying fluid delivery and storage systems. Jim joined MSC Software, the world's leading supplier of virtual product development simulation software and services in October 2003, as senior director in charge of their automotive business.  In 2007 Jim joined Accelrys Corporation, a molecular nanotechnology modeling software company, as director of major accounts.  Jim has been a member of the UMR School of Engineering Dean's Advisory Council, the MAE Industrial Advisory Committee, and the Society of Automotive Engineers. He is a former member of the Eastern Michigan University School of Business Development Board and the Lawrence Technological University Curriculum Advisory Committee.