Jim's career in local government spanned over 35 years, having served as the Planning Director for Chesterfield County from 1974 to 1986, then as the Planning & Zoning Director for Fairfax County until 2010. He has worked as an independent consultant since his retirement from Fairfax County, until joining the Berkley Group in June of 2017.

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Jim is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners, and served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association from 2007-2014. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. He completed the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia in 1991. 

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