James was most recently the Executive Director of Lending and Mortgage Director of Real Estate Lending at New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union in Metairie, Louisiana, a $182 million asset credit union. In concert with the credit union mission, James also spearheaded the creation of The Faith Fund. The Faith Fund is a nonprofit designed to help individuals and families better manage their money, escape predatory lending, and achieve financial stability. In James’ words, The Faith Fund provided a “financial hand-up to the underserved.”

Before this uplifting work, James worked at HOPE Federal Credit Union, a $350 million asset Community Development Credit Union, based out of Jackson, Mississippi. As the Senior Vice President of Mortgage, he provided steadfast leadership and creative vision for the mortgage division and HOPE’s overall strategic initiatives. “During his tenure, mortgage lending increased by 117 percent, generating more than $50 million in loans across the Deep South, one of the most impoverished regions of the nation. In 2017, 99 percent of HOPE’s mortgage loans were high impact loans made to first-time homebuyers, BIPOC persons, and women. These loans also supported and highlighted the community development financial institution’s mission to improve the lives of vulnerable families in a five-state service region.” (source: www.Inclusiv.org)

James was recently among 39 credit union professionals in the nation selected as a “Credit Union Rockstar.” The Credit Union Rock Stars program, managed by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), recognizes outstanding credit union professionals and volunteers from a wide range of disciplines who use their unique strengths to advance the mission of their credit unions. Winners were those who showed exceptional creativity, innovation, and passion in selecting the winners.

James earned his undergraduate degree in Communication and Marketing from Western Illinois University and is currently pursuing an MBA degree. Besides his numerous volunteer projects and commitments, he is incredibly proud of his work for Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. James also serves on the Executive Board of Directors of Inclusiv, where he is the Chairperson of the Mortgage Committee. Inclusiv is the new name of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions. Its mission is to help low and moderate-income people and communities achieve financial success through credit unions.