James A. DeLapp

As Executive Director, Jim leads 650 teammates across seven city departments including Public Services, Engineering, Real Estate and Asset Management, Programs and Project Management, Build Mobile, the Office of Resilience, and Parks and Recreation.

Prior to assuming the role as Executive Director, Jim served as Project Executive in the Federal Division of B.L. Harbert, International headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

Previously, Jim served twenty-five years as an Engineer Officer in the United States Army, with his final duty assignment as the 52nd Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mobile District. During his time in Mobile, Jim led many efforts including the study to widen and deepen the entrance channel to the Port of Mobile and the $3 billion recovery mission in Puerto Rico following the devastating Hurricane Maria. Jim also served as the 62nd Commander of the Nashville District from 2011-2013 and Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District from 2003-2005.

Some of Jim’s other experience includes: Chief of Engineer Plans, United States Central Command, Tampa, FL; Congressional Fellow to two United States Senators, Washington, D.C.; and Legislative Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Army, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Jim has served in peacekeeping and combat operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, where he spent the majority of his time working to rebuild or repair critical infrastructure.

Jim is a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree and a 2003 graduate of Texas A&M University with a Master of Science in Construction Management. He also holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Jim is married to the former Heather Atchison from Chatom, AL, together they have six children.