James is a lifelong resident of Texas and the Permian Basin.

He is a former Texas Legislative and Congressional aide, and in 2003, James became the President of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance, with the task of advancing critical infrastructure in the Permian Basin.  During his tenure, MOTRAN has worked to bring nearly $3 billion in additional funding to the region.

He also heads the Permian Basin Coalition, which has been active in promoting the economic impact of the Permian on our state and nation, and recently, been engaged in improving broadband connectivity for the region.

Since 2004, James has served as a Commissioner for the State Commission on Emergency Communications overseeing our state’s 9-1-1 and Poison Control programs.  He also worked with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to bring telehealth resources to trauma and 9-1-1 through Tele-health in the Permian Basin.

James served 4 terms as the Midland County Republican Chairman.  He also serves as a board member of the Southwest 66 Credit Union, as Chairman-Elect of the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the U.S.-Mexico Export Council, and has previously served as a representative to the Border Trade Advisory Committee.