Cumru Township commissioners have selected Terrence W. James as the township’s new manager.
James, who was appointed and sworn in Sept. 15, brings to the position more than 15 years of experience in public service and government operations.
“Welcome to Cumru,” commission Chairman Andrew Donnell said after James took the oath of office, his hand on a Bible held by his wife, Brittany.
James then thanked the commissioners and took his seat at the table to begin working.
His first order of business, the commissioners said, will be working with staff on a review of internal financial controls.
The commissioners also asked James to take the lead on a proposed special events ordinance, noting that the board could intervene if concerns arose.
Terrence W. James has been appointed Cumru Township manager by the township board of commissioners.
(Courtesy of Terrence W. James.)
James succeeds longtime manager Jeanne Johnston whose employment was terminated by the commissioners in January in a 4-1 vote.
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The township subsequently brought in Peter Marshall & Associates to provide interim management while it searched for a permanent manager.
Johnston had worked for Cumru for more than 28 years, including 23 years as township secretary and 15 years as manager. She was appointed in February as director of the Center for Excellence in Local Government at Albright College.
James, a Washington, D.C., native, most recently served as associate director for budget and performance management with the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation. In that position, he oversaw strategic budgeting, performance accountability and major operational initiatives.
His work included administering a $17 million investment in recreation operations and integrating procurement responsibilities into the agency’s budget portfolio.
Before joining the parks and recreation department, James spent six years with the District of Columbia Department of Public Works as a policy and projects officer. His responsibilities included special projects, performance and process-improvement initiatives and interagency work on 311 service delivery, winter readiness and other operational priorities.
James holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia. He is also a certified public manager.
James, his wife and their 14-year-old son currently live in Maryland and plan to relocate to Berks County in the coming months.