Mr. James L. Caplinger
Mr. Caplinger has been a member of the PEP board since January 2003 and contributes extensive knowledge about public entities through his experience as city manager for Springfield, Ohio; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Troy, New York; and New Carlisle, Ohio. Additional professional experience includes serving as president for two colleges, and representing four nonprofit foundations. He is currently a law and management consultant.
Mr. Caplinger holds a J.D. from the Ohio State University, College of Law, and a B.A. in political science and speech, also from Ohio State University. He is a member of the Ohio Bar Association and serves as president of SEMC Investors. Additionally, Mr. Caplinger is an active member of his local community and serves as secretary for the North Hill Apartments, Inc., and is a board member for the Jospeh Fletcher Lawyers Conference of the Leon P. Loechler Foundation; County Extension Service; and Springfield Urban League.
Mr. Caplinger is the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award from Americans for Indian Opportunity and the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Kalamazoo Progressive Minority Business Association. Additionally, he is a member of the Tau Pi Phi National Honor Society in Accounting, Business, and Economics; honorary member of Zeta Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity; Delta Sigma Rho Speech Honorary; and Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honorary. He is the author of "Native Plants, Local Ordinances, & The Media," a handbook prepared for Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania.
When Mr. Caplinger is not participating in his civic and professional commitments, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Carol, a master gardener and expert on native and invasive plants. He is the proud father of three children and grandfather to four grandchildren. Mr. Caplinger's interests include traveling, investing, researching family history, and outdoor activities.