James Cowan, president of Neutrik USA, passed away Nov. 5 after a struggle with cancer. He was 52.
Cowan spent 20 years with Neutrik as general manager, vice president and, since March 2000, president.
“Jim was a wonderful leader with just the right combination of business skills and personal qualities,” Werner Bachman, CEO of Neutrik AG and a friend for 20 years. “But more than that, he was an industry icon and a genuinely caring person who touched everyone with his kindness. He would always take time out to ask how you or your family were doing and looked you in the eye with a true look of concern. He was sincere and never took himself too seriously. No matter how busy Jim was he always made the time to talk to you, especially at trade shows. He never missed a show until recently. I know he will be sorely missed by an industry he so significantly impacted.”
Cowan was heavily involved with Neutrik’s numerous donation efforts, offering the company’s equipment to such organizations and schools as Brookfield Academy, La Sierra University and Michigan State University. Jim was also a member of the Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance.
He was also a philanthropic benefactor to organizations such as Oceans of Love, which provides help for children with cancer, ALS Association (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka "Lou Gehrig's Disease"), the Food Bank of New Jersey, among others.
Prior to joining Neutrik, Jim held various positions with Texas Instruments, Panduit Corp. and Dialight-Kulka-Smith. He received a bachelor of science in marketing and economics as well as a master's degree in marketing from Monmouth University in New Jersey.
He is survived by his wife Kate and two sons.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Ocean of Love
1709 Highway 37 E.
Toms River, NJ 08753.
