Throughout his career, James R. Julian Jr. has been recognized for his ability to create value by successfully managing complex organizations. As Chief Executive Officer of the University of Massachusetts Foundation, Mr. Julian oversees the University’s endowment and other investment strategies which is approaching $2 billion dollars and has been responsible for repositioning the Foundation for future success. As Chief Executive Officer of the University of Massachusetts Foundation, 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 developing and executing the policies needed to achieve organizational 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 and later accepted the additional role of Chief Operating Officer. In his dual role, Mr. Julian was the second-ranking executive in the University system, reporting to the President.  He has served four University of Massachusetts Presidents and has overseen the administration of the University’s $3.8 billion dollar budget.  Vice Presidents and other top officials of the five-campus, 75,000-student University of Massachusetts System reported 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. Jim also worked 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 rose from 51,000 students to over 73,000 students, research expenditures grew from $170 million to over $752 million.  During that same time, the University’s endowment increased from $47 million to more than $1.2 billion.  Mr. Julian was instrumental in establishing and recruiting membership to the University of Massachusetts Foundation Investment Committee, made up of distinguished individuals who have significant finance experience. The Investment Committee has provided the Foundation with sustained performance counsel. 
During his tenure, the University of Massachusetts spent $3.5 billion on new construction and renovation, which transformed all five campuses and helped to boost the state’s economy. In recent years, numerous publications 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 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.

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.