James O’Brien serves as Senior Vice President of University Affairs and Chief of Staff to President Michael Crow of Arizona State University. He is responsible for implementing complicated strategic and tactical objectives of the Office of the President. He also works across the institution to identify, facilitate and coordinate opportunities and initiatives which involve multiple units within and affiliated with the institution. This includes advancing opportunities and initiatives with university public affairs, state and federal policy affairs, global engagement, and corporate relations. Jim is an attorney who previously worked as corporate counsel to several publicly traded companies as well as in private practice. He has also worked in public affairs at the state and federal levels. He received a B.A. from Iowa State University and a J.D. from Drake University.