Alumni

Alumni Profile: James Elliott

July 25, 2022

The Kansas City Network of the KU Alumni Association is made up of a board of directors and committee volunteers that help shape the programming within the Greater Kansas City area. For the 2022-2023 term, James Elliott will serve as President of the Greater Kansas City Network. Here is what James had to say about his term:

Greater Kansas City Jayhawks,

I have the pleasure of serving as President of the Greater Kansas City Network of the KU Alumni Association. Being a Jayhawk has always been in my blood, from attending KU basketball games as a kid from Leavenworth, to graduating in 2005.

My family, friends and career are a product of the opportunities the University of Kansas has given me. Originally from Leavenworth, I now live in Overland Park and serve as the Director of the Program Management Organization within Black & Veatch. My two boys, Brayden and Ryan, keep me and my wife, Amanda, busy with seemingly as many sports as we can pack into a single weekend.

When I interviewed for the President role of the Greater Kansas City Network, my message was simple: I want to give back to the University that has done so much for me over these years. Equally, I want to expand the Kansas City KU Alumni network so Jayhawks of every age and business vertical have someone they can grab coffee with.

The best fact I jokingly enjoy sharing with people is that I played basketball for the University of Kansas. I know what you’re thinking: “No way,” and you’re basically correct. But it’s true — I played on the scrimmage team for the KU Women’s Basketball Team from 2003 to 2005. It was one of the greatest experiences anyone can have in college, and I made lifetime friendships.

In my spare time, I am an avid pilot and always looking for an excuse to fly over Lawrence. In addition to my pilot duties, I serve as a liaison between the major sporting teams and the military to provide flyovers for various games. If you were at the KU Homecoming game last year, you probably couldn’t miss the four ships of F-16s I brought in with several of the pilots being KU alumni!

Rock Chalk,

James Elliott, Greater KC Network President