James J. DeCristo

Jim joined the North Carolina School of the Arts in March 2005 as Director of Economic Development and External Affairs.  Jim’s primary responsibilities include:

• Federal, State, and Community Relations
• Economic Development
• Sponsored Programs and Research
• The Center for Design Innovation. 

Prior to joining the NCSA, Jim was active in economic development as a technology development and commercialization specialist with the Small Business and Technology Development Center at Winston-Salem State University.  In this role he assisted research and development companies and university technology transfer offices in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies.  Jim has 15 years of engineering and manufacturing management experience including new product development, plant start-up, lean manufacturing, ISO 9000 registration, self-directed teams, ERP implementation and strategic planning. 

Other positions held include Plant Manager with Diebold Incorporated, Vice President of Operations with Acoustic Technology Incorporated and Manager of Manufacturing Engineering with General Electric Aircraft Instrument Department.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.

James DeCristo, Director for Economic Development & External Relations
Phone:  (336) 734-2862
Fax:  (336) 770-3375
Email: decristoj@ncarts.edu

Joan Roggenkamp, Executive Assistant
Phone:  (336) 770-1436
Fax:  (336) 770-3375
Email:  roggenkampj@ncarts.edu