Spotlight on Dr Brian Jones
Dr Brian Jones (BEng Mechanical Engineering 1961, PhD 1965) is a Director of University of Liverpool in America Inc. and Alumni Ambassador for southern California, where he lives with his wife Debbie and daughter Rebecca.
Q:Please explain your connection to the University of Liverpool
A:I entered the University on a Technical State Scholarship after serving a five-year apprenticeship with the DeHavilland Aircraft Company near Chester, my home town. I obtained a BEng (1st Class Hons.) in 1961 and a PhD in 1965 from the University, both in Mechanical Engineering.
During the last 18 months of my graduate work, I served as an Assistant Lecturer, having the great privilege of working for Professor (now Sir) John Horlock and Professor (now Emeritus) Gerry Galletly. I came to the US in early 1966 and my career since then has been almost exclusively in the aerospace industry.
I am currently Executive Vice President of BAE Systems Composite Structures Incorporated, the predecessor company of which I founded more than 30 years ago.
Q:Why did you get involved with the University’s Alumni Relations activity?
A:Being involved with the Alumni Association has provided me with an opportunity to continue my association with the University, an institution that means so much to me and to which I feel a great sense of gratitude.
The time I spent at Liverpool was amongst the most enjoyable and formative of my life. I am sure many other alumni feel the same way. I made wonderful friends there, and I am still in close touch with a number of them to this day.
Although I am geographically removed from the University, I am happy it is possible to continue my association from afar, as others are doing throughout the world.
Q:What are the benefits of becoming involved in the Alumni Relations programme?
A:The Association has made tremendous strides over the last year or so to establish the process of identifying alumni and providing them with the opportunity to get together for various events. As our Association expands, we will be providing increased opportunities for networking at the professional level, re-connecting with old friends and generally creating opportunities for socializing.
We will also provide up-to-date information on what is happening at the University, creating opportunities to become involved in the future goals and plans of this wonderful institution.
Interacting with people with whom one shares a common experience is always enjoyable. Who does not have a good story about their university experience and the inimitable city of Liverpool?
Q:As Alumni Ambassador for the western United States, what are your plans for the region?
A: At last count, we have identified nearly 300 alumni living in what we have defined as the western United States, which embraces a very large geographic area. The majority of these alumni live in California, somewhat equally divided between the southern and northern regions.
Because of the distances involved, our biggest challenge is to identify events and locations that will provide sufficient appeal and support to make whatever journey is involved worthwhile.
In this regard, I would very much welcome any ideas or suggestions alumni may have. For example, I would be interested to know what locations would suit people best, whether mid-week or weekend events are preferred and whether events to include children would expand involvement.
I hope alumni will get in touch with me directly if they have any comments on these – or any other – concepts. Such feedback will be vital to ensuring our Alumni Association becomes a resounding success.
Q:How important is it that alumni support University of Liverpool in America Inc?
A:If you have lived or visited the US, you become very aware of the significant financial support provided by alumni to the colleges and universities they attended. University of Liverpool in America Inc. provides the vehicle for those of us living in the US to similarly support our alma mater.
Amongst other things, such support enhances the institution’s ability to provide scholarships, attract the best academic talent and initiate projects that will further enhance the University’s international reputation.
As I said earlier, financially supporting the goals of the University of Liverpool provides a means of 'giving back'. With the changing face of higher education in the Uk, such support will be more valuable than ever.
A factor worth emphasising is that the creation of University of Liverpool in America Inc. will permit alumni to make contributions that will be tax deductible against US income, making 'giving' easier than ever.