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MURIELBOWSERMAYOR
May6,2026
TheHonorablePhilMendelsonChairmanCounciloftheDistrictofColumbia
JohnA.WilsonBuilding1350PennsylvaniaAvenue,NW, Suite504Washington,DC20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
Inaccordancewithsection2oftheConfirmationActof1978,effectiveMarch3,1979(D.C.Law2-142;D.C.OfficialCode§ 1-523.01),andpursuanttosection3 oftheAdvisoryCommissiononSentencingEstablishmentActof1998,effectiveOctober16,1998(D.C.Law 12-167,D.C.Official
Code§3-102),Iam pleasedtonominatethefollowingindividual:
Mr.JamesBerry,Jr.
16thStreet,NWWashington,DC 20012(Ward4)
forappointmentasa residentoftheDistrictofColumbiamemberoftheDistrictofColumbia
SentencingCommission,fillingavacantseatformerlyheldbySeanHolihan,fortheremainderofan
unexpiredtermtoendJuly2,2026,andforasubsequenttermtoendJuly2,2029.
Enclosed,youwillfindbiographicalinformationdetailingtheexperienceoftheabove-mentionednominee,togetherwithaproposedresolutiontoassisttheCouncilduringtheconfirmationprocess
IwouldappreciatetheCouncil’searliestconsiderationofthisnominationforconfirmation.Pleasedo nothesitatetocontactme,orStevenWalker,Director,Mayor’sOfficeofTalentandAppointments,shouldtheCouncilrequireadditionalinformation
Singerely,
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at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To confirm the appointment of James Berry, Jr. to the Sentencing Commission.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the "District of Columbia Sentencing Commission James Berry, Jr.
Confirmation Resolution of 2026".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
James Berry, Jr.
16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20012
(Ward 4)
as a resident of the District of Columbia member of the District of Columbia Sentencing
Commission, established by section 2 of the Advisory Commission on Sentencing Establishment
Act of 1998, effective October 16, 1998 (D.C. Law 12-167; D .C . Official Code§ 3-101), filling
a vacant seat formerly held by Sean Holihan, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end July
2, 2026, and a subsequent term to end July 2, 2029.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Mayor.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
JAMES D. BERRY, JR.
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
‘Seniorexecutiveleaderwith40+yearsofexperienceshapingcriminaljusticepolicy,leadingcomplex
federalandlocalgovernmentoperations,anddrivingcommunity-centeredpublicsafetystrategies.
Provenrecordofadvisingseniorofficials,managinglargemultidisciplinaryteams,anddelivering
mission-criticalresultsacrossfederal,nonprofit,andcommunity-basedenvironments.
CORECOMPETENCIES
ExecutiveLeadership+StrategicPlanning*CriminalJusticePolicy+InteragencyCollaboration*
‘CommunityEngagement«ProgramDevelopment+Budget&ResourceManagement«OrganizationalDevelopment» PerformanceManagement« PublicAffairs
PROFESSIONALEXPERIENCE
DEPUTYDIRECTOR(Retired)
CourtServicesandOffenderSupervisionAgency(CSOSA),Washington,DC
2014-2022
‘*ServedasprincipaladvisorandseniorrepresentativetotheCSOSADirector,providingexecutive
leadershipforanagencyof700+employees,multiplecontractors,andanannualbudget
exceeding$180M.
‘* Directedagencyoperationsandensuredalignmentwithmission,strategicpriorities,and
congressionalmandatesthroughoversightofAssociateDirectorsandseniormanagementteams.
* Leddevelopmentofbusinessplans,programrequirements,andstrategic/tacticalinitiativesto.
advanceorganizationalobjectivesandimprovepublicsafetyoutcomes.
* RepresentedCSOSAinhigh-levelmeetingswithfederal,state,andlocalofficials;negotiated
agencystrategies;andservedasakeyspokespersonacrossgovernmentandprivate-sector
partners.
+ Playedacentralroleininteragencytaskforces,congressionalinquiries,andnationalcriminal
justiceinitiatives.
KeyLeadershipRoles& Appointments.
* CSOSARepresentative,PresidentJosephBiden'sNationalDrugControlStrategyCommittee
(2022)
* Member,DC StateAdvisoryCouncil,InterstateCommissionforAdultOffenderSupervision(2022)
* CSOSARepresentative,DCCriminalJusticeCoordinatingCouncil(2018-2022)
* Member,ExecutiveCommittee,DC PretrialServicesAgency(2018-2019)
* Commissioner& CompactAdministrator,InterstateCommissionforAdultOffenderSupervision
(2018-2019)
‘© ActingDirector,CSOSA(Dec2017-Mar2019)
* ExecutiveCommitteeRepresentative,Washington-BaltimoreHIDTA(2016-2021)
* ContinuityofOperationsCoordinator,CSOSA(2015-2022)
* Member,SeniorExecutiveService,U.S.OfficeofPersonnelManagement(2014-2022)
CHIEF,COMMUNITY DEFENDER DIVISION
PublicDefenderServicefortheDistrictofColumbia(PDS),Washington,DC2002-2014
* Ledallplanning,development,andmanagementofPDS’sCommunityDefenderDivision(CDD),
overseeingprogramsservingadultsandjuvenilesinpost-adjudicationstagesofthecriminal
justicesystem.
‘©ServedasprincipaladvisortothePDSDirectoroncommunitydefensestrategy,program
performance,andclientoutcomes.
* Directedoperationsofthreemajorprograms—CommunityReentry,InstitutionalServices,and
JuvenileServices—includingpolicydevelopment,budgetplanning,andperformance
measurement.
© Oversawstaffhiring,training,evaluation,andorganizationaldevelopment;resolvedpersonnel
mattersandensuredalignmentwithagencygoals.
‘*Builtandmanagedpartnershipswithlegalorganizations,advocacygroups,faith-based
institutions,andcommunityserviceproviderstostrengthenreentryandsupportsystems.
* RepresentedPDSathigh-levelmeetings,conferences,andpolicyforums;supervised
developmentofoutreachmaterialsandpublicengagementinitiatives.
COMMUNITY RELATIONSSPECIALIST
CourtServicesandOffenderSupervisionAgency(CSOSA),OfficeofCommunityJusticePrograms,Washington,DC2000-2002
* Coordinatedcommunityoutreachandpublicinformationprogramstosupport
community-orientedcriminaljusticesupervisionandenhancepublicsafety.
* Builtandmaintainedrelationshipswithcommunityleaders,governmentofficials,andservice
providerstostrengthencommunicationandcollaboration.
‘*Organizedcommunitymeetings,representedCSOSAatpublicevents,andeducatedstakeholders
onagencygoalsandinitiatives.
SENTENCINGSPECIALIST
PublicDefenderServicefortheDistrictofColumbia,OffenderRehabi
1975-2000
* Providedcounselingtoclientswithcomplexsocial,emotional,psychiatric,and
substance-relatedchallenges.
‘* Preparedpsycho-socialassessmentsforpresentationinD.C.SuperiorCourtandU.S.District,
Court.
* Advocatedforclientplacementincommunity-basedprogramsasalternativestoincarceration.
ionDivision
MILITARYSERVICE
CORRECTIONALSPECIALIST
UnitedStatesArmy,140th
1972-1974
itaryPoliceCompany,FortGordon,GA
* DistinguishedGraduate,U.S.ArmyMilitaryPoliceSchool(Class30,1973)
* Promotedfourtimeswithinfirstyearofservice,reachingActingSergeant.
* ServedasShiftCommanderofthemaximum-securitycellblock.
+ Honorablydischarged,1974
CIVICAND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS(PartialList)
CommissiononReentry&Ex-OffenderAffairs(MayoralAppointee)Washington,DC 2025-Present
AdvisestheMayorandDistrictagenciesonreentrypolicy,servicecoordination,andcommunity
engagement.Providesstrategicguidanceonimprovingoutcomesforreturningcitizens.
Washington,DC PoliceFoundation— BoardMember2007-2023
SupportedMPDinitiatives,youthprograms,andpublicsafetystrategies.Strengthenedpolice-communitypartnershipsandresourcedevelopment.
MPDChiefofPoliceCiti:
2023
Providedcommunity-basedinsightandstrategicrecommendationstoMPD leadershiponpublicsafetyprioritiesandcommunityrelations.
ensAdvisoryCouncil— Member
MagistrateJudgeAdvisoryMeritSelectionPanel,DCSuperiorCourt— Member2014-2020
Participatedinjudicialcandidateevaluations,interviews,andmerit-basedselectionprocesses.ContributedtostrengtheningtheintegrityoftheDistrict’sjudiciary.
CouncilforCourtExcellence— ExecutiveCommittee(2002-2020);BoardMember(1994-2020)Helpedguidejusticesystemreforminitiatives,governance,andpolicyrecommendations.Supportedresearch,advocacy,andcommunityeducationefforts.
Mayor'sJuvenileJusticeAdvisoryGroup— Member2009-2014Advisedonjuvenilejusticepolicy,youthservices,andfederalcompliance.Supporteddevelopmentofyouth-centeredpreventionandinterventionstrategies.
Community-OrientedDefenderNetwork— PDSRepresentative
2006-2014
Contributedtonationaleffortstostrengthencommunity-baseddefensemodelsandholisticlegalservices.
DYRSCommunityAdvisoryCouncil—Member2007-2011
Providedguidanceonyouthrehabilitation,communityreintegration,andprogramdevelopment.
AdvisoryNeighborhoodCommissionSC— Commissioner(1989-2006);Chairperson(1991-2005)Ledneighborhoodgovernance,communityplanning,andconstituentservices.Representedresidentsinlanduse,publicsafety,andcityservices.
CitywideANC CommissionersAssembly— Chairperson
2000-2005
CoordinatedadvisorybodiesacrosstheDistrictandrepresentedcommunityintereststoseniorDistrictleadership.
BatesArea
1986-2010
Ledneighborhoodrevitalization,safetyinitiatives,andcommunitydevelopmentefforts.
icAssociation— President
DCPSSafe& Drug-FreeSchoolsAdvisoryCouncil
1998-2000
‘Supportedschoolsafety,preventionprogramming,andyouthwell-beinginitiatives.
—AdvisoryMember
DC DepartmentofCorrectionsAdvisory& ResourceCouncil— Member1998
Advisedoncorrectionalpolicy,reentry,andcommunityreintegration.Servedontheselectioncommitteeforthenewagencydirector.
PublicTrustforDrugPrevention&ChildrenatRisk—Trustee1997-2005Oversawgrantmakingandcommunitypreventioninitiatives.
NorthCapitolHealthyFamilies/ThrivingCommunitiesCollaborati1997
Launchedcommunity-basedfamilysupportandsafetyinitiatives.
—Co-Founder
NorthCapitolWeed& SeedProject— Co-Founder
1997
Developedcommunity-drivenpublicsafetyandneighborhoodrevitalizationstrategies.
LeadershipWashington—Classof1995
Completedregionalleadershipdevelopmentprogramfocusedoncivicengagementandcross-sectorcollaboration.
DC BarBoardofGovernors— CitizenMember
1986-1992
Providedcommunityperspectiveongovernance,ethics,andpolicymatters.
EDUCATION
© UniversityoftheDistrictofColumbia
MasterofArts,Counseling
* VillanovaUniversity
BachelorofArts,CriminalJustice
LICENSURE
* LicensedProfessionalCounselor,DistrictofColumbia
* LicensedIndependentClinicalSocialWorker,DistrictofColumbia
*EARISNGrs+
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ojExecutiveOfficeoftheMayor—Mayor’sOfficeofTalentandAppointmentsJohnA.WilsonBuilding|1350PennsylvaniaAvenue,Suite600|Washington,DC20004
JamesBerry,Jr.
Mr.JamesBerry,Jr.,isthePresidentandCEO ofBerryGroupConsulting.HeistheretiredDeputyDirectoroftheCourtServicesandOffenderSupervisionAgencyfortheDistrictofColumbia(“CSOSA”))andisacurrentmemberoftheCommissiononRe-EntryandReturningCitizenAffairs.
AstheDeputyDirectorofCSOSA,Mr.BerrywastheadvisortoandrepresentativeoftheDirectorinfulfillingherduties.HewasresponsibleforexecutingtheDirector'svisionby overseeingoperationsandaccountabilitythroughleadingateamofAssociateDirectorsastheymanagedstaffthroughadministrativeandoperationalprograms.Mr.BerryhasservedonnumerouscivicboardsincludingtheCouncilforCourtExcellence,theDC PoliceFoundation,andasthechairpersonoftheMPD's.CitizensAdvisoryCouncil.
A Ward4 resident,Mr.BerryearnedhisBachelorofArtsinCriminalJusticefromVillanovaUniversityandhisMasterofArtsinCounselingfromUniversityofthe DistrictofColumbia,
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GOVERNMENTOFTHEDISTRICTOFCOLUMBIA
ExecutiveOfficeofMayorMurielBowser
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WE AREWASHINGTON
q|OfficeoftheGeneralCounseltotheMayor
KimberlyA.Bassett,SteveWalker
BetsyCavendishApril29,2026
Legalsufficiencyreviewofa resolutionappointingJamesBerry,Jr.,asamemberoftheDistrictofColumbiaSentencingCommission
This istoCertifythatthisofficehasreviewedtheabove-referencedresolutionandfoundittobelegallyunobjectionable.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsinthisregard,pleasedonothesitatetocallMichael Porcello,Deputy General Counsel,ExecutiveOfficeof the Mayor, at
202-727-0872, or me at202-724-7681.
ThefohnA.WikonBuilding+ 1350PennsylvaniaAvenue,NW > Sute300> Washington,DIC.20001> OfficeG02)7