James retired from the County of Orange (County) in early 2023 after more than 28 years in County government. His career with the County began working for the Board of Supervisors (Board) in 1994 just before the unprecedented County bankruptcy.

While trying times for the County family and taxpayers, it was an invaluable experience and training ground for James. He handled media relations at a time when there were 28 reporters covering County government, not to mention nation-wide media attention on the Bankruptcy. He also played roles in the passage of Measure M2, a County-wide, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) led transportation sales tax extension, public protection initiatives, helped negotiate a trial court funding crisis, the selection of new electronic voting machines for County elections, and chaired the 2001 redistricting committee, responsible for creating and implementing new districts for County representation based on the 2000 census.

James worked for three County Supervisors over 13 years, including Bill Steiner, Chuck Smith and Lou Correa (Currently a member of Congress). He focused on and was responsible for a broad array of public policy issues including public finance and the County budget, public protection, entitlements and development, as well as transportation issues.

He worked directly with Orange County cities, their elected officials, the OCTA, the Orange County Business Council (OCBC), the Rancho Mission Viejo and Irvine Companies, as well as other private sector interests. James also worked directly with County-wide elected officials in the Sheriff, District Attorney, Treasurer Tax Collector, Clerk Recorder, Assessor, and Auditor Controller offices.

Additionally, he was responsible for comprehensive advocacy efforts in Sacramento and Washington DC, on airport and other transportation issues, entitlement and development issues, flood control priorities, as well as general state and federal funding for programs and projects.

James moved inside County government in 2006 to work on real estate, entitlements and development projects. He helped create and manage the Land Development Team in the County Executive Office (CEO). This Team was responsible for managing and developing County real estate assets including large properties on the former Marine Corp Air Station El Toro (MCAS El Toro), Dana Point Harbor, Laguna Niguel, Costa Mesa, and Orange County Flood Control District properties in the County and the Inland Empire. He helped the County create real estate policies regarding County landholdings with the objective of holding properties, creating long term revenue streams through leases and creating public private partnerships with development partners.

He and his team were responsible for negotiating option agreements and long term leases on behalf of the County. Partners include Dana Point Harbor Partners (Bellingham Marine, Burnham Ward & RD Olson), The Lewis Companies, Lowe Enterprises, Sares Regis, Ganahl Lumber, Tait & Associates, Brook Street, and Mercy Housing, to name a few. 

James also headed up special projects for the CEO and Chief Real Estate Officer (CREO).  He was responsible for renewable energy initatives for the County, working on solar programs for residential, commercial and institutional properties, including negotiating a power purchase agreement to provide solar power to County buildings. Additionally, he helped negotiate and secure leases for several hotels during Covid for use as housing for the County’s most vulnerable populations. Lastly, he helped with the establishment of the proposed veterans and public cemeteries with the Orange County Cemetery District on the Mountain Park property in Anaheim. He is proud of the relationships he built for almost three decades in County government.

Upon retiring from the County, James joined The Diamond Group (TDG) as a partner with long time friend, Gary Hausdorfer. TDG provides strategic affairs for an array of private and public sector clients.

James has volunteered as a mentor in the Santa Ana elementary schools, and as a tutor in County group homes and juvenile court schools. He has been a coach and board member for his children’s sports organizations over the years.  He coached softball at Fullerton High School. James volunteers with Cal State University Fullerton, helping raise funds for athletics.  He is active with the Fullerton Assistance League, playing Santa Clause for underprivileged youth from the Boys and Girls Club, as well as emceeing the annual fundraiser and soirée for the Fullerton Assisteens.  James volunteers for the KM Legacy Foundation in the memory and honor of Katie Monson, promoting kindness and leadership in Orange County high schools.

He has been married to his wife, Laura, for 30 years and they have two children, and a crazy wheaton terrier, Nola. Brooklyn is a senior at UC Davis and Declan is a freshman at San Diego State.

His hobbies and interests include hiking, backpacking, traveling, cooking, entertaining, following all kinds of sports, and finding ways to give back to the Orange County community.