Matt Watson
Jim Burra, a former executive and entrepreneur who has served on Chapman University governing boards for more than 25 years, has been elected chair of the Board of Trustees starting this year. He succeeds Parker Kennedy, a trustee whose term as board chair concluded at the end of 2024.
Burra joined the Chapman Board of Governors in 1998 and the Board of Trustees in 2011. As a trustee, he served as the chairman of the endowment investment committee for nine years. During that time, Chapman’s endowment grew from $301 million to more than $850 million.
Burra and his wife Kay, who have been married for more than 60 years, originally became involved with the university after their youngest daughter Laura graduated from Chapman, as they were impressed by the education she received and her growth during her college years.
Jim and Kay also chaired the 2019 Chapman Celebrates gala, endowed the Burra Executive Professor in Accounting in 2022 and funded the Burra School of Accounting and Finance in 2023.
“Over the past quarter century, Chapman University has progressed from a very fine small college to an outstanding university,” Burra said. “I have been fortunate to watch and be a small part of Chapman’s climb to excellence.”
Burra spent 30 years building Endural, which manufactures a proprietary line of plastic boxes for the automotive, electronics and aerospace industries, into a significant supplier of reusable and recyclable products. In 2021, he sold Endural and retired from the board of directors of Semtech Corp., a producer of analog and mixed signal semiconductors. Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Burra was the chief financial officer of Intercole, Inc., a public company that manufactured a variety of industrial products.
“The position of Chapman chairman has been filled by qualified and dedicated leaders. My goal is to extend the strength and reputation of our great school,” Burra said. “I invite our students, their parents, our faculty and our administrators to continue the accomplishments they have made toward our success.”
Kennedy, the outgoing Board of Trustees chair, joined the board in 2011 and served as chair from 2021-24, overseeing some of the strongest fiscal years in Chapman history. Net assets increased 21% to $1.7 billion, the endowment grew 51% and the university launched the public phase of the comprehensive campaign, which recently exceeded $400 million raised.
Kennedy also played a key role in helping Chapman navigate the pandemic, and during his chairmanship Chapman opened several facilities including the Swenson Family Hall of Engineering, the Sandi Simon Center for Dance, the Campus Center at Rinker, Chapman Court, and the Hilbert Museum expansion. Chapman also moved up to its highest ever national ranking, No. 121 among national universities, in 2024.
Kennedy and his family have made such significant contributions beyond his service on the board. His father is the namesake of Donald P. Kennedy Hall that houses the Fowler School of Law, and Kennedy made a $15 million gift to bring top talent to the law school via student recruitment and scholarships. He also established the Parker S. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Law.
“Chapman has been served by a long line of dedicated board chairs who have not only steered the university to new heights, but have also invested in the university and our people,” said President Daniele Struppa. “I want to thank Park Kennedy for his truly transformational service, and I am excited for all we have to look forward to under Jim Burra’s leadership and his continued commitment to Chapman.”
Added Matt Parlow, EVP/chief advancement officer and president-elect: “Chapman owes so much to both Park and Jim for their leadership, generosity and genuine love of our great university. They have helped drive Chapman forward; they are huge supporters of our students, faculty, staff and alumni; and they are strong believers in our mission. I am honored to continue working alongside them.”
In addition to Burra, the Board of Trustees officers include James Mazzo, vice chair and chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, and Scott Chapman, secretary and chair of the Digital Resources Committee. The full list of trustees can be found online.
The complete Executive Committee for the 2025 Board of Trustees includes:
- James Burra, Chair of the Board of Trustees
- James Mazzo, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees; Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee
- Scott Chapman, Secretary of the Board of Trustees; Chair of the Digital Resources Committee
- Parker Kennedy, Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees
- Daniele C. Struppa, President of the University (Ex Officio Trustee)
- Zeinab Dabbah, Chair of the Academic Committee
- Marilyn Alexander, Chair of the Audit Committee
- James Roszak, Chair of the Finance Committee
- Doy Henley, Chair of the Interfaith and Church Relations Committee
- Nella Webster O’Grady, Chair of the Investment Committee
- Akin Ceylan, Chair of the Real Estate and Campus Development Committee
- Melinda Masson, Chair of the Student Life Committee
- Irving M. Chase, Chair of the University Advancement Committee
