PR 26-0694

MURIEL BOWSER
    MAYOR
May 6, 2026
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 3 of the Advisory Commission on
Sentencing Establishment Act of 1998, effective October 16, 1998 (D.C. Law 12-167, D.C. Official
Code § 3-102), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
                                       Mr. James Berry, Jr.
                                         16th Street, NW
                                      Washington, DC 20012
                                            (Ward 4)
for appointment as a resident of the District of Columbia member of the District of Columbia
Sentencing Commission, filling a vacant seat formerly held by Sean Holihan, for the remainder of an
unexpired term to end July 2, 2026, and for a subsequent term to end July 2, 2029.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailingthe experienceofthe above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest considerationofthis nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information
Singerely,
 1
 2
 3
                                                                       ~ at the request of the Mayor
 4
 5
 6  A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
 7
 8
 9
10  IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
11
12
13
14
15   To confirm the appointment of James Berry, Jr. to the Sentencing Commission.
16
17  RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
18   resolution may be cited as the "District of Columbia Sentencing Commission James Berry, Jr.
19   Confirmation Resolution of 2026".
20  Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
21
22  James Berry, Jr.
23  16th Street, NW
24  Washington, DC 20012
25  (Ward 4)
26
27   as a resident of the District of Columbia member of the District of Columbia Sentencing
28   Commission, established by section 2 of the Advisory Commission on Sentencing Establishment
29   Act of 1998, effective October 16, 1998 (D.C. Law 12-167; D.C. Official Code§ 3-101), filling
30   a vacant seat formerly held by Sean Holihan, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end July
31   2, 2026, and a subsequent term to end July 2, 2029.
32  Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
33   upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Mayor.
34  Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
                                       JAMES D. BERRY,JR.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
‘Senior executive leader with 40+ years of experience shaping criminal justice policy, leading complex
federal and local government operations, and driving community-centered public safety strategies.
Proven record of advising senior officials, managing large multidisciplinary teams, and delivering
mission-critical results across federal, nonprofit, and community-based environments.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Executive Leadership + Strategic Planning * Criminal Justice Policy + Interagency Collaboration *
‘Community Engagement « Program Development + Budget & Resource Management « Organizational
Development» Performance Management       « Public Affairs
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (Retired)
Court Services andOffender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), Washington, DC
2014-2022
   ‘* Served as principal advisor and senior representative to the CSOSA Director, providing executive
      leadership for an agency of 700+ employees, multiple contractors, and an annual budget
      exceeding $180M.
   ‘* Directed agency operations and ensured alignment with mission, strategic priorities, and
      congressional mandates through oversight of Associate Directors and senior management teams.
   * Led development of business plans, program requirements, and strategic/tactical initiatives to.
      advance organizational objectives and improve public safety outcomes.
   * Represented CSOSA in high-level meetings with federal, state, and local officials; negotiated
      agency strategies; and served as a key spokesperson across government and private-sector
      partners.
   + Played a central rolein interagency task forces, congressionalinquiries, andnational criminal
      justice initiatives.
Key Leadership Roles & Appointments.
   * CSOSA Representative, President Joseph Biden's National Drug Control Strategy Committee
      (2022)
   * Member, DC State Advisory Council, Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (2022)
   * CSOSA Representative, DC Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (2018-2022)
   * Member, Executive Committee, DC Pretrial Services Agency (2018-2019)
   * Commissioner    & Compact Administrator, Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision
      (2018-2019)
   ‘© Acting Director, CSOSA (Dec 2017-Mar 2019)
   * Executive Committee Representative, Washington-Baltimore HIDTA (2016-2021)
   * Continuity of Operations Coordinator, CSOSA (2015-2022)
    * Member, Senior Executive Service, U.S. Office of Personnel Management (2014-2022)
CHIEF, COMMUNITY DEFENDER DIVISION
Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS), Washington, DC
2002-2014
    * Led all planning, development, and management of PDS’s Community Defender Division (CDD),
       overseeing programs serving adults and juveniles in post-adjudication stagesofthe criminal
      justice system.
   ‘© Served as principal advisor to the PDS Director on community defense strategy, program
       performance, and client outcomes.
   * Directed operations of three major programs—Community Reentry, Institutional Services, and
      Juvenile Services—including policy development, budget planning, and performance
       measurement.
   © Oversaw staff hiring, training, evaluation, and organizational development; resolved personnel
       matters and ensured alignment with agency goals.
   ‘* Built and managedpartnerships with legal organizations, advocacy groups, faith-based
      institutions, and community service providers to strengthenreentry and support systems.
   * Represented PDS at high-level meetings, conferences, andpolicy forums; supervised
      development of outreach materials and public engagement initiatives.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), Office of Community Justice Programs,
Washington, DC
2000-2002
   * Coordinated community outreach and public information programs to support
       community-orientedcriminal justice supervision and enhance public safety.
   * Built and maintained relationships with community leaders, government officials, and service
       providers to strengthen communication and collaboration.
   ‘* Organized community meetings, represented CSOSA at public events, and educated stakeholders
       on agency goals and initiatives.
SENTENCING SPECIALIST
Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Offender Rehabi  ion Division
1975-2000
       * Provided counseling to clients with complex social, emotional, psychiatric, and
         substance-related challenges.
      ‘* Prepared psycho-social assessments for presentation in D.C. Superior Court and U.S. District,
         Court.
       * Advocated for client placement in community-based programs as alternatives to incarceration.
MILITARY SERVICE
CORRECTIONAL SPECIALIST
United States Army, 140th itary Police Company, Fort Gordon, GA
1972-1974
    *   Distinguished Graduate, U.S. Army Military Police School (Class 30, 1973)
    *   Promoted four times within first year of service, reaching Acting Sergeant.
    *   Served as Shift Commander of the maximum-security cellblock.
    +   Honorably discharged, 1974
CIVIC AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS (Partial List)
Commission on Reentry & Ex-Offender Affairs (Mayoral Appointee)
Washington, DC 2025-Present
Advises the Mayor and District agencies on reentry policy, service coordination, and community
engagement. Provides strategic guidance on improving outcomes for returning citizens.
Washington, DC Police Foundation — Board Member
2007-2023
Supported MPD initiatives, youth programs, and public safety strategies. Strengthened police-community
partnerships and resource development.
MPDChief of Police Citi: ens Advisory Council — Member
2023
Provided community-based insight and strategic recommendations to MPD leadership on public safety
priorities and community relations.
Magistrate Judge Advisory Merit Selection Panel, DC Superior Court — Member
2014-2020
Participated in judicial candidate evaluations, interviews, and merit-based selection processes.
Contributed to strengthening the integrityof the District’s judiciary.
Council for Court Excellence — Executive Committee (2002-2020); Board Member (1994-2020)
Helped guide justice system reform initiatives, governance, and policy recommendations. Supported
research, advocacy, and community education efforts.
Mayor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Group — Member
2009-2014
Advised on juvenile justice policy, youth services, and federal compliance. Supported development of
youth-centered prevention and intervention strategies.
Community-Oriented Defender Network — PDS Representative
2006-2014
Contributed to national efforts to strengthen community-based defense models and holistic legal
services.
DYRS Community Advisory Council— Member
2007-2011
Provided guidance on youth rehabilitation, community reintegration, and program development.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission SC — Commissioner (1989-2006); Chairperson (1991-2005)
Led neighborhood governance, community planning, and constituent services. Represented residents in
land use, public safety, andcity services.
Citywide ANC Commissioners Assembly — Chairperson
2000-2005
Coordinated advisory bodies across the District and represented community interests to senior District
leadership.
Bates Area ic Association — President
1986-2010
Led neighborhood revitalization, safety initiatives, and community development efforts.
DCPS Safe & Drug-Free Schools Advisory Council —Advisory Member
1998-2000
‘Supported school safety, prevention programming, and youth well-being initiatives.
DC Department of Corrections Advisory & Resource Council — Member
1998
Advised on correctional policy, reentry, and community reintegration. Served on the selection committee
for the new agency director.
Public Trust for Drug Prevention & Children at Risk— Trustee
1997-2005
Oversaw grantmaking and community prevention initiatives.
North Capitol Healthy Families/Thriving Communities Collaborati  —Co-Founder
1997
Launched community-based family support and safety initiatives.
North Capitol Weed & Seed Project — Co-Founder
1997
Developed community-driven public safety and neighborhood revitalization strategies.
Leadership Washington—Class of 1995
Completed regional leadership development program focused on civic engagement and cross-sector
collaboration.
DC Bar Board of Governors — Citizen Member
1986-1992
Provided community perspective on governance, ethics, and policy matters.
EDUCATION
   © University of the District of Columbia
     Master of Arts, Counseling
   * Villanova University
     Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice
LICENSURE
   * Licensed Professional Counselor, District of Columbia
   * Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, District of Columbia
                                                *
                                          | s+
                                                   EB a
                                                 EARI
                                              SNGr
                                         oj
        Executive Officeofthe Mayor — Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
  John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
                                        James Berry, Jr.
                       Mr. James Berry, Jr., is the President and CEO of Berry Group
                       Consulting. He is the retired Deputy Director of the Court Services and
                       Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (“CSOSA”)
                     ) and is a current member of the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning
                       Citizen Affairs.
                       As the Deputy Director of CSOSA, Mr. Berry was the advisor to and
                       representative of the Director in fulfilling her duties. He was responsible
                       for executing the Director's vision by overseeing operations and
                       accountability through leading a team of Associate Directors as they
                       managed staff through administrative and operational programs. Mr.
                       Berry has served on numerous civic boards including the Council for
Court Excellence, the DC Police Foundation, and as the chairperson of the MPD's. Citizens
Advisory Council.
A Ward 4 resident, Mr. Berry earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Villanova
University and his Master of Arts in Counseling from Universityofthe District of Columbia,
             kk
                          GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
                             Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
                                                  wk  ok
                                                  WE ARE
                                                  WASHINGTON
                                             q|
 Office ofthe General Counsel to the Mayor
                  Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
                  Betsy Cavendish
                  April 29, 2026
                  Legal sufficiency reviewof a resolution appointing James Berry, Jr., as a member
                  of the District of Columbia Sentencing Commission
 This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
 found it to be legally unobjectionable. Ifyou have any questions in this regard, please do not
 hesitate to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Officeof the Mayor, at
 202-727-0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
The fohnA. Wikon Building + 1350Pennsylvania Avenue, NW > Sute300 > Washington,
                                                                             DIC. 20001 > Office G02) 7