James G. O’Connor is the former president of Pratt & Whitney. His 34-year career at Pratt & Whitney started in engineering and included key assignments in customer support, program management, manufacturing operations and general management. He was involved in both military and commercial programs and businesses. His engineering assignments included development and certification of key commercial engines for the Boeing and Douglas aircraft companies. In early 1981 he was named vice president of Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engine Business in East Hartford, Connecticut responsible for all product support. In 1982, he joined Pratt & Whitney’s Government Engine Business in West Palm Beach, Florida as senior vice president, F100 engine program. He was appointed executive vice president of the Government Engine Business in January 1984, and assumed the post of president in March 1985. In this position he was responsible for all aspects of Pratt’s $2.0 billion business with the U.S. government and 15 foreign governments. In October 1987, he returned to East Hartford and was named vice president of manufacturing operations. In 1989 he became the chief executive for Pratt & Whitney. He was responsible for all of the aircraft engine manufacturer’s $7.0 billion operations. He retired in 1993. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In addition, he is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, the President’s Advisory Council at Clemson University and the Wings Club.