Mr. James Peter "Jim" Kaplan

Jim Kaplan of Pickens is secretary. He was appointed to the Commission in 2018. 

Kaplan is the former president/owner of Cornell Dubilier Electronics, a manufacturer of electric components. With corporate headquarters and manufacturing in Liberty, the company also operates from sites in Massachusetts, California, Illinois, Mexico and Hong Kong. He joined the company as a process engineer in 1988 and later moved to Mexicali, Mexico, where he was production control manager. He moved back to Liberty in 1994 to assume the role of manufacturing manager and later was named general manager (1996 -1999). He served as president from 2000 until 2023.

Kaplan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering from Clemson University and an MBA from The College of William and Mary. He serves on several boards, including the Pickens County United Way, Electronic Industry Association, Alliance Pickens County and the Electronic Components Industry Association. He is a former member of the Red Cross Board.