James West

James West

James West web photo

Commissioner James West passed away on Nov. 18, 2023, at the age of 79. He spent decades serving the community and fiercely advocating for Wake County’s most vulnerable residents. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and Team Wake colleagues.

Appointed: 2010
Elected: 2012
Re-elected: 2016, 2018, 2020

Former Health & Human Services Committee Chair

Professional

  • 1995–2023 
    NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, Raleigh, NC 
    • Director of County Operations Emeritus 
  • 1995–2023
    NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, Raleigh, NC 
    • Associate Tenured Professor Emeritus 
  • 1995–2023
    J WEST ASSOCIATES, INC., Raleigh, NC 
    • Consultant 
      Select Workshops:
      • ​​​​​​​Program Model for Planned Change, Alcorn State Univ. Extension Program (ASUEP) 
      • Leadership and Process Management for Continuous Quality Improvement (ASUEP) 
      • Conflict Management and Change, North Carolina Institute for Government 
  • 2009–2023
    ​​​​​​​ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, Lorman, MS 
    • Adjunct Professor 
      Course: Special Problems in Agricultural Education (Course AN601) 

Regional, State & National Leadership

  • Raleigh City Council 
    • Raleigh City Council, District C Representative, 1999-2010 
    • Mayor Pro Tem, 2003-2010 
    • Committees: 
      • Budget & Economic Development, Co-Chair 
      • Law & Public Safety 
      • Public Works 

Public Service & Community Activities

  • Founder, Wake County Collaborative Partnership in Excellence in Youth Development 
  • Founder, Southeast Raleigh Assembly (SERA) 
  • Charter Member, Wake County Voter Education Coalition 
  • Century Club Member, Wake County Democratic Party 
  • Chair, Garner Schools Area Advisory Council 
  • Founding Co-Chair, Raleigh South Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) 
  • Chair, Southeast Community Land Use Planning Task Force 
  • President, Fred A. Smith Elementary School Parent Teacher Association 
  • Raleigh-Wake Citizen Association 
  • City of Raleigh Board of Adjustments 
  • Louisburg College Board of Trustees 

Education

  • NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, Raleigh, NC 
    • Post-doctoral study, Legislative Process, 1995 
    • Post-doctoral study, Advanced Management, 1981 
    • Doctor of Education, Adult and Community College Education, 1981 
    • Master of Education, Adult and Community College Education, 1971 
  • NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY, Greensboro, NC 
    • Bachelor of Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, 1964