Executive Vice President, University of Massachusetts Foundation
Throughout his career, James R. Julian Jr. has been recognized for his ability to create value by successfully managing people in complex organizations. As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the University of Massachusetts System, and as Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel to the President of the Massachusetts State Senate, Mr. Julian has been responsible for managing complex organizations and for developing the policies needed to achieve progress and build a better future for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its citizens.
Mr. Julian joined the University of Massachusetts System in January 1996 as Executive Vice President. He later accepted the additional role of Chief Operating Officer. In his dual role, Mr. Julian is the second-ranking executive in the University system, reporting to the President. He oversees the administration of the University’s $3.3 billion dollar budget. Vice Presidents and other top officials of the five-campus, 75,000-plus student University of Massachusetts System report to Mr. Julian, giving him oversight over such diverse areas as administration and finance, capital finance and construction, information systems, the general counsel’s office, economic development, fund-raising, government relations and communications. He also works closely with the five campus Chancellors and the 22-member University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees.
During his tenure as the University of Massachusetts System’s second-highest official, enrollment across the five-campus system has risen from 51,000 students to more than 75,000 students, research expenditures have grown from $170 million to more than $680 million. During that same time, the University’s endowment increased from $47 million to more than $922 million. Mr. Julian was instrumental in establishing and recruiting membership to the University of Massachusetts Foundation Investment Committee where he is a member. The Investment Committee is made up of distinguished individuals from the world of finance. The Investment Committee has provided the University with sustained performance that regularly exceeds internal benchmarks as well as those established by NACUBO.
The University of Massachusetts over the past decade has spent over $3.4 billion on new construction and renovation, which has transformed all five campuses and helped to boost the state’s fragile economy. In recent years, numerous publications have ranked the University of Massachusetts System as one of the best universities in the world.
Prior to joining the University of Massachusetts System, Mr. Julian, from 1991-1996, served as Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel to William M. Bulger, the longest-serving Senate President in the history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. From 1985 to 1991, Mr. Julian served as the Business Manager of the Massachusetts Senate.
During his service in the Senate President’s Office, Mr. Julian played a key staff role in the passage of the state's landmark 1993 education reform law, which resulted in a multi-billion dollar infusion of state aid to cities and towns, eliminated significant funding disparities at the local level and established higher academic standards as well as a statewide test designed to monitor performance at the student, school and local levels. Mr. Julian was also involved in legislation aimed at improving the state’s business climate and fostering economic development, while at the same time protecting vital social programs and services.
Mr. Julian is an attorney in good standing, admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Florida and the District of Columbia.
Mr. Julian is a member of the Board of Massachusetts Financial Services (MFS) Meridian Funds.
Mr. Julian is a member of the University of Massachusetts Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors. He also serves on the Foundation’s Investment Committee.
Mr. Julian is a member of the Catholic Memorial High School Board of Directors.
James R. Julian, Jr. received a J.D. degree from New England School of Law in Boston. He received a B.S. Degree in political science from Suffolk University in Boston.
Mr. Julian resides in Needham, Massachusetts with his wife Deirdre, a former Vice President of Essex Investment Management Company. They are the parents of three sons and one daughter.
Professional Affiliations and Memberships:
- Massachusetts Financial Services (MFS) Meridian Funds/Board Member
- Massachusetts Bar, Member
- The Florida Bar, Member
- The District of Columbia Bar, Member
- St. Joseph’s School Consultative Board, Needham, MA, Former Member
- Licensed Massachusetts Real Estate Broker
- Worcester City Campus Corporation, Board Member
- University of Massachusetts Foundation, Board Member
- University of Massachusetts Foundation Investment Committee, Board Member
- Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), Former Member
- Designer Selection Panel, Hynes Convention Center, Former Member
- Cooperative Central Bank, Former Member
- Bank Investment Fund, Inc., Former Incorporator
- Catholic Memorial High School Board of Directors
- BASE Advisory Board Member