James A. Anders

James A. Ander’s Background

“For those of us who worked with Jim, he will be remembered for his extensive technical knowledge, helpful insights, good cheer, and positive outlook on life,” said Andy Johnson, Vice President of Marketing at AISC Marketing, Inc. “In the way he overcame many of life’s adversities, Jim was a good model for all of us.”

Born in Philadelphia, PA, on September 30, 1929, Anders was the second of two sons. He majored in Civil Engineering at George Washington University’s night school until enlisting in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in August 1951. Following graduation from Basic Training, the Engineer Officer Candidate School, and duty at Fort Belvoir as a Tactical Officer, he reported to the 36th Engineer Combat Group in the Republic of Korea. Separating from the Army in December 1953, he attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, graduating first in his class with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in June 1956. His passion for learning led to an M.S. in Engineering and Applied Sciences in June 1957. Through the late 1950s and 1960s, Anders served in several structural engineering and operations research assignments and served as a part-time instructor of mathematics at the College of William and Mary.

Named to the American Men of Science in 1965, he advanced through analyst and management positions to become first Deputy Director and then Director of Planning and Marketing for the Combat Operations Research Group, Technical Operations, Inc. in 1966. He managed the Systems Science Center, Melpar, Inc., from 1966 to 1968.

Over the next several years, Anders formed his own marketing and technical consulting firm, Anders Associates, Inc., which was dissolved in 1974 due to health problems. His career path during recovery led him through several executive positions in engineering and construction-related marketing, including his first stint with AISC from 1979 to 1984. As Vice president of Texas Testing Laboratories, Inc., he co-founded the Dallas Committee on High-Rise Development before rejoining AISC in 1988.

Anders was a member of the Dallas Rotary Club, American Society of Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers Association of Texas, Tau Beta Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Chi Epsilon, Who’s Who in South and Southeast, and the American Arbitration Association.