James Purcell, PE

James Purcell, PE

Jim Purcell has over 40 years of engineering experience in civil engineering design, construction, and inspection. After 35 years in the consulting community, Jim is now the technical director of the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association and serves on committees at the national level, helping to ensure that engineering principles are applied to the rapidly changing construction industry. Jim also serves The College of New Jersey as a member of the Industry Advisory Council and as an Adjunct Professor, teaching the next generation of engineers the fundamentals of engineering design, the importance of licensure, and the importance of ethics.

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1986. While at UConn, Jim was inducted into Chi Epsilon, founded the student chapter of NSPE, and created the Student Engineering Council, an organization to foster cooperation and coordination between the various engineering societies on campus. He has been active in engineering professional and technical societies ever since.

Jim is a licensed professional engineer in New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and North Dakota. In addition to Chi Epsilon, he is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Highway Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Order of The Engineer.

Jim serves on the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, having been appointed in 2005, holding the position of Board President twice. Jim is currently the President of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying and has served NCEES in numerous capacities over the past 10 years.

Over the years, Jim has served his professional societies in major leadership roles—as president of the Professional Engineers Society of Mercer County, regional director of the American Society of Highway Engineers, and practice advisor to the TCNJ ASCE Student Chapter. This service to his profession has earned Jim honors as Professional Engineer of the Year by the PESMC and the North Jersey Chapter of ASCE, and with the NJSPE Distinguished Engineering Service Award. Jim also serves as chair of the Mercer County Workforce Development Board, responsible for overseeing the training and job placement of the underserved youth, adults, and dislocated workers in local area.