In addition to his current position as President of the Renton City Council, James also presides as Chair of the Renton Regional Fire Authority’s Governance Board, and is on the Board of Directors of the Renton Chamber of Commerce.  Over the years in these various roles, James has become very familiar with many of the businesses in Renton and has interacted with key City of Renton personnel, Renton School District Administrators, and key representatives from important organizations that play a significant role in the continuing success of Renton, such as Boeing and the Seattle Seahawks.  Whether it be through attending neighborhood association meetings or by simply attending and supporting the ribbon cuttings of new businesses to Renton, James always seeks to stay involved with the residents and business communities of Renton.

James has spent the majority of his career in the area of sales and leadership.  He has significant experience working in the corporate world, with companies large and small.   Since 2010, he has been an entrepreneur helping small and medium-sized companies improve their business performance and results through consulting, training, and coaching with his Sandler Training franchise. He has consulted and trained hundreds of business owners, CEOs, managers, and salespeople in various industries.  James is highly focused on the success of small business in society.

Originally from the Midwest, James graduated at the top of his class with a M.B.A. in Marketing from Purdue University and has a B.S. in Computer Technology from Purdue as well.  Since graduating, James has had the opportunity to live on both sides of the country in a number of different communities.  As a result, his exposure to various people from various cultures and walks of life has helped James form a very pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to societal issues, while still allowing him to be compassionate to the various challenges that individuals face while trying to provide the best life for their families and themselves. 

James enjoys life in Renton with his wife Jessica, who is a social worker for the state of Washington. He has three stepdaughters, one who lives and works in Renton, and two who attend the University of Washington.  James and Jessica enjoy supporting them in their various activities and encourage them to always pursue excellence.