James Contes

Faculty, Arizona State University

Mr. Contes graduated from Arizona State University in 1973 and started his automotive career at the General Motors Desert Proving Ground in Mesa, Arizona. As an automotive engineer, he worked in all areas of vehicle development including ride and handling, brake testing and powertrain testing and development. He retired from GM in 2008 with 35 years of service. Mr. Contes currently teaches the automotive engineering concentration at the Polytechnic campus as a senior lecturer and faculty member.  His goal is to develop an automotive engineering curriculum and bring his many years of industry experience to the classroom.  

EcoCAR 3, a four year future vehicle developed program run by the U.S Department of Energy and Argonne National Laboritories and sponsored by General Motors, is now part of the developing automotive program at ASU's Polytechnic campus.  Through a number of automotive classes and their associated lab experiences, Contes prepares Polytechnic engineering students to enter the exciting and fulfilling career field as automotive engineers.

Mr. Contes has a great deal of interest in improving the efficiencies of vehicle powertrains for gains in fuel economy and vehicle performance while at the same time, reducing emissions. As new laboratories are built and developed, engine component design and development for improved efficiencies are at the top his list of research projects. Alternative fuels and power sources will also be part of curriculum development.