James brings big-picture thinking and sharp strategic focus to everything he does. As Executive Director of our East Region, he guides the strategic growth and design impact of our teams in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, bringing a rare mix of creativity, clarity, and deep regional insight to the role. With decades of experience leading interdisciplinary design practices and a career rooted in the East, James understands both the pace and potential of this region and how to help teams thrive within it.
Before joining CannonDesign, James served as CEO of Sasaki, where he helped reimagine cities, campuses and cultural destinations around the world while guiding the firm’s overall direction and growth. An urban planner, his portfolio spans urban infill, strategic land development, regional planning and corporate and higher education campuses, all with an eye toward long-term sustainability and positive social impact.
At his core, James is a connector. He believes powerful ideas emerge when people align around a shared sense of purpose — and he’s spent his career creating the conditions for that to happen.
A few clients and collaborators
- NBCUniversal
- Timberwest
- Zidell Yards
- University System of Georgia
Expertise
- Urban design and planning at all scales (regions, cities, downtowns, and campuses)
- Strategic planning and visioning
- Leadership development, mentoring, and training
Passions & pursuits
- Civic engagement: James serves on the board of trustees for Boston Harbor Now, a nonprofit that champions resiliency and inclusive access to the Boston waterfront.
- Urban agriculture and the future of food (James gave a TEDx talk on this subject, and he grows his own vegetables at home).
- Father of three, committed to prioritizing health and wellness for both family and self.
