James Howell

Education Experience
Auburn University Graduate Student 2015-2016, 2018
Developed comprehension of public organization leadership and policy development, as well as basic city
planning principles and data consolidation through research. Applied these skillsets graphically using ArcGIS,
Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Selected Accomplishments
 Collected, analyzed demographic and economic data of Macon County, AL to quantify spatial-
mismatches and industry trends that threaten community resiliency. Conducted civic engagement and
policy alternative analysis to find potential ways of improving per capita income.
 Recommended commercial redevelopment strategies based on regional markets and population trends to
LaGrange, GA Chamber of Commerce; identified corridors for targeted development.
 Academic research has included Montgomery County, AL industrial and demographic analysis;
Greenville, SC 2009 Master Plan assessment; LaGrange, GA commercial health assessment; Columbus,
GA real estate market assessment; and Huntsville, AL 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
and Cultural Competency Assessment.

Professional Experience
Host-Nation Affairs Liaison
Doha, Qatar 2017
Fostered positive relationships between U.S. forces and Qatari military and community. Developed
opportunities for multi-national collaboration and represented the U.S. Army at the U.S. Embassy. Advised
leadership on the impacts of proposed actions on the host nation.

Selected Accomplishments
 Established 4 cooperative ventures between U.S. Army organizations and Qatari counterparts previously
not or under-utilized which improved partnerships and grew influence.
 Projected outcomes of a regional diplomatic dispute as it unfolded, worked with other departments to
gauge its impact on the organization.

Experimentation Project Officer

Fort Benning, Georgia 2013-2015
Conducted organizational experiments based on user (U.S. soldiers) requirements. Designed events based on
customer needs and data requirements, then quantified results. Compiled, analyzed data into reports and
recommendations.

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Experimentation Project Officer, cont.
Selected Accomplishments
 Summarized and authored 4-5 experimentation findings including quantitative and qualitative data for
U.S. Army equipment evaluations.
 Coordinated with specific program managers for each to define problems and scopes of work including
contextual usage and benchmarks for success.
 Made program and policy recommendations that balanced end-user needs with program limitations;
identified where implementation was most effective within a spectrum of programmatic considerations.
 Provided in-person briefings and recommendation to senior decision-makers based on research, analysis,
and requirements planning.

Strategic Planner
Fort Benning, Georgia 2010-2013
Organized long-range initiatives of a large installation as part of its staff. Developed stakeholder participation
and worked across the greater organization to identify legal and programmatic requirements and coordinate
partners.

Selected Accomplishments
 Saved Fort Benning $350,000 over nine months from partnerships I created with external student and
military professionals to provide erosion/sedimentation control plans for training area development.
 Built an interactive bridge summary of Fort Benning to address weight classification concerns; directly
resulted in more comprehensive understanding of available routes, saving tenant units’ time and money.
 Routinely briefed leadership of multiple organizations on various projects’ status

Miscellaneous Accomplishments Prior to 2010

 Partnered with external organizations to validate their readiness and prepare them for deployment;
required positive relationships to provide meaningful feedback and ensure performance standards.
 Developed personnel work-loads, site layout and improvement, physical security, resource control and
forecasting, and quality of living for a separated U.S. installation in Iraq.
 Facilitated an Iraqi mayoral election by engaging local leaders and residents. I educated local leaders
about the electoral process and coordinated resources for debates and polling stations. Election had 60%
turn-out because of my information campaigns, voter transportation plan and public confidence.

Education
Dual Masters Candidate in Community Planning and Public Administration, Auburn University; Expected
graduation – May 7th, 2018; member of Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, International City/County
Management Association, and Auburn’s Student Planning Association
Graduate of U.S. Army Civil Affairs Qualification Course; 2015 Curriculum focused on civic engagement,
analysis of civil considerations, and consolidation of individual/institutional network information as a means to
find sources of instability and guide organizational tasks.
Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Political Science, North Georgia College and State University; 2002

Computer Proficiencies: ArcGIS; Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator; Microsoft Office Suite.