NEW YORK, NY--James Cowan, president of Neutrik USA, passed away on November 5, 2008 at the age of 52. The cause was cancer.
Cowan worked for Neutrik for 20 years, moving through the ranks from general manager to vice president and, in March of 2000, president. He was popular and well-liked throughout the pro audio industry.
Werner Bachman, CEO of Neutrik AG and a friend for 20 years, says, "Jim was a wonderful leader with just the right combination of business skills and personal qualities. 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."
In addition to running a company, Cowan was concerned for others and was instrumental in 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 proud member of the Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA), an organization for senior executives leading the companies that manufacture professional audio products.
Beyond those organizations with ties to the professional audio community, Cowan was a philanthropic benefactor to organizations such as Oceans of Love, which provides help for children with cancer, ALS Association (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or "Lou Gehrig's Disease") and the Food Bank of New Jersey, among others.
Prior to joining Neutrik, Cowan held various positions with such companies as 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.
In addition to his role as company president, Cowan was also the proud father of his sons Gregory and Dan, and the loving husband to wife Kate. Following the example set by his grandfather to work hard and never give up, Cowan believed in the values of giving and keeping your word to others, respecting others for their opinions, listening, and not forgetting the roots in which you started from in life and in business.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ocean of Love, 1709 Highway 37 E., Toms River, NJ 08753.
Ocean of Love...www.ocean-of-love.org
