James Souder has dedicated his adult life to public service, holding local, state, and federal positions at every government level. His remarkable 14-year tenure as a captain in the U.S. Army, with his last deployment in 2014-2015, underscores his commitment to his country. Equipped with an M.B.A. in Strategy and Leadership and certification as a defense financial manager, James excels in managing multimillion-dollar projects. He is renowned for his skills in accessing capital and resources, forging partnerships, assessing risk, and crafting innovative solutions to complex bureaucratic challenges.

Before his public service career, James had a brief yet notable stint in the N.F.L., playing as a safety for the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. Post-NFL, he fully immersed himself in public service. His diverse roles have included serving as the Projects Director for Senator Jon Corzine, Deputy Chief of Staff for Commissioner Joe Doria at New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs, Director of Neighborhood and Recreation Services for the City of Newark under then-Mayor Cory Booker and holding dual roles as the Director of Resource Management and the Legislative Director for the New Jersey National Guard.

James has developed comprehensive expertise in Government Relations, Resource Management, Government Accounting, Asset Procurement, Political Consulting, Alliance Building, Program Development, Executive Advisement, Legislative Analysis, Policy Strategy, and Cross-level Communications. His multifaceted experience and leadership skills make him an asset in government affairs.