MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
June 20, 2024
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania 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 4 of the Office on Ex-Offender Affairs
and Commission on Re-Entry and Ex-Offender Affairs Establishment Act of 2006, effective March 8,
2007 (D.C. Law 16-243; D.C. Official Code § 24-1303), I am pleased to nominate the following
individual:
Mr. James Berry, Jr.
16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20012
(Ward 4)
for reappointment as a public voting member of the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen
Affairs, for a term to end August 4, 2026.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Reappointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor
1
2
3 at the request of the Mayor
4
5
6 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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8
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10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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12
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15 To confirm the reappointment of James Berry, Jr. to the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning
16 Citizen Affairs.
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18 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
19 resolution may be cited as the "Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen Affairs James
20 Berry, Jr. Confirmation Resolution of 2024".
21 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
22
23 Mr. James Berry, Jr.
24 16th Street, NW
25 Washington, DC 20012
26 (Ward 4)
27
28 as a public voting member of the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen Affairs,
29 established by section 4 of the Office on Ex-Offender Affairs and Commission on Re-Entry and
30 Ex-Offender Establishment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-243; D.C.
31 Official Code § 24-1303 ), for a term to end August 4, 2026.
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 Office of the Mayor.
34 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
James D. Berry, Jr.
EXPERIENCE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
633 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Suite 1244
Washington, DC 20004
2014 to 2022
Serves as a close advisor to the Director of CSOSA.
Acts for and represents the Director in fulfilling her leadership duties in directing the Agency,
which includes a staff of over 850 employees.
Responsible for the execution of the Agency mission and the Director’s vision through high level
executive leadership. Responsible for overseeing select CSOSA operations and ensuring
accountability to strategic priorities through a team of high-ranking Associate Directors with
responsibilities covering a range of staff, administrative and operational programs.
Directs CSOSA’s top leaders to ensure the development of business plans and program
requirements. Oversees the development of strategic and tactical initiatives designed to meet
organizational objectives.
Serves as CSOSA’s representative in meetings with high level officials to present and negotiate
strategies for the Agency. Serves as a key CSOSA representative and spokesperson with other
Federal agencies, state and local governments and the private sector. Serves as a key leader in inter
and intra agency task forces and committees to respond to congressional regulatory inquiries.
CHIEF, COMMUNITY DEFENDER DIVISION
PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
680 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E., Suite H-5
Washington, D.C., 20002
2002 to 2014
Served as the Chief of the Public Defender Service’s (PDS) Community Defender Division (CDD),
with responsibility for the overall planning, development and management of all aspects of PDS’
community defense initiative in providing resources and services to adults and juveniles in the D.C.
criminal justice system who were in the post-adjudication stage of a criminal case and under
criminal justice supervision.
Served as the principal advisor to the Director of the D.C. Public Defender Service on matters
relating to PDS’ Community Defender Division. Kept the Director fully informed of issues,
problems and decisions made regarding CDD programming as well as concerning critical matters
that affected the success rate of CDD staff and PDS’ clientele.
Developed, coordinated and managed all aspects of CDD’s three programs (Community Reentry,
Institutional Services, and Juvenile Services). Developed as well as implemented operating
procedures for all three initiatives. Exercised budgetary discretion and provided recommendations
to the Director that impacted operational planning, integration and the overall budget of CDD.
Provided direction on policy and all procedural matters relating to the operations of CDD. Also,
directed and managed the planning, evaluation and special initiative processes for CDD. Was
responsible for helping to coordinate planning activities for the development of a financial
management plan, the annual PDS budget, GPRA and performance measures, and PDS’ overall
goals and objectives. Directed the development and maintenance of qualitative and quantitative
program information and assessed the impact of this information on performance measures,
outcomes and expenditures.
Performed the full range of managerial and supervisory responsibilities, including organizational
planning and alignment, position management, interviewing and hiring for subordinate positions,
staff training and development, performance evaluation, resolving employee grievances and
disciplinary cases and approval of leave and work-life options.
Developed and supervised community outreach initiatives. Managed and monitored the
development of CDD partnerships with legal and other advocacy groups, faith-based groups,
charitable groups, and community and other organizations that provide services to indigent people.
Actively cultivated effective working relationships with such agencies to promote and enhance the
organization’s community defense strategy. Supervised the development, publication and
distribution of written materials for community outreach. Also, represented the Public Defender
Service at top management meetings, conferences and other gatherings that related to the PDS’
client-centered, holistic approach to community defense.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRAMS
COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
1230 Taylor Street, N.W., Suite 102
Washington, D.C. 20011
2000 to 2002
Reported directly to the Associate Director of Community Justice Programs and was responsible
for coordinating community outreach, support and public information programs designed to
facilitate community-oriented criminal justice supervision, increase offender accountability,
respond to community concerns, and enhance public safety.
Established and maintained a system of contacts in assigned communities to assure continuous and
effective communications between community members and the Court Services and Offender
Supervision Agency (CSOSA).
To gain citizens’ trust and support for community-oriented supervision, planned community and
committee meetings as well as represented CSOSA in these and other gatherings with federal, state,
local and community officials, and with community representatives.
Educated all parties about CSOSA’s programmatic goals to facilitate cooperative partnerships.
Prepared written and oral status reports to apprise the Associate Director of Community Justice
Programs and others of community responses, community needs, and strategies to respond to
community concerns and program adjustments that were necessary to meet specific community
priorities.
SENTENCING SPECIALIST, OFFENDER REHABILITATION DIVISION
PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
633 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
1975 to 2000
Duties included short and long-term individual counseling of clients manifesting a wide range of
social, emotional, psychiatric, drug and/or alcohol related problems; the development and
preparation of psycho-social assessments for presentation in the D.C. Superior and U.S. District
Courts; as well as functioning as an advocate for clients in social service delivery systems to
facilitate entry into community programs as an alternative to incarceration.
MILITARY
CORRECTIONAL SPECIALIST, 140th MILITARY POLICE COMPANY
UNITED STATES ARMY
Fort Gordon, Georgia
Correctional Specialist
1972 to 1974
Inducted into the United States Army shortly after my graduation from college.
Attended the United States Army Military Police School at Fort Gordon, Ga. and was the
Distinguished Graduate of Class 30 in 1973.
Was promoted three times (to the rank of Specialist 4th Class) during my first six months of service
in the U.S. Army.
Within the first year of entry, was promoted a fourth time to the rank of Acting Sergeant.
For the remaining year of my enlistment, served as a Shift Commander of the maximum security
cell-block at Fort Gordon.
Was honorably discharged in September 1974.
CIVIC AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS (Partial List)
CHAIRPERSON, CHIEF OF POLICE CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Washington, D.C.
Incumbent
MAYORAL APPOINTEE
COMMISSION ON REENTRY AND EX-OFFENDER AFFAIRS
Washington, D.C.
2012 to Present
PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA’S JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP
Washington, D.C.
2009 to 2014
MEMBER, COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
D.C. DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH REHABILITATION SERVICES
Washington, D.C.
2007 to 2011
PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
COMMUNITY-ORIENTED DEFENDER NETWORK
Washington, D.C.
2006 to 2014
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
WASHINGTON, DC POLICE FOUNDATION
Washington, D.C.
2004 to Present
MEMBER, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (2002 TO PRESENT)
MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS (1994 TO PRESENT)
COUNCIL FOR COURT EXCELLENCE
Washington, D.C.
CHAIRPERSON
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER’S (CITYWIDE) ASSEMBLY
Washington, D.C.
1998 to 2006
CHAIRPERSON
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 5C
Washington, D.C.
1991 to 2005
COMMISSIONER
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 5C
SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT 5C01
Washington, D.C.
1989 to 2006
PRESIDENT
BATES AREA CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
Washington, D.C.
1986 to 2010
MEMBER, CLASS OF 1995
LEADERSHIP WASHINGTON
Washington, D.C.
1995
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Master of Arts, Counseling, 1980
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice, 1972
LICENSURE
Licensed in the District of Columbia as a Professional Counselor
Licensed in the District of Columbia as an Independent Clinical Social Worker
REFERENCES
Furnished upon request.
JDB
Executive Office of the 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 a 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 Chief of Police
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 the University of the District of Columbia.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
To: Tomas Talamante, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: June 7, 2024
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of Resolutions nominating James Berry, Jr., Kennetta
Calloway, Larry Moon, James Dunn, Ricardo W. Sheppard, Maurice Tyree, and
Myra Woods as members of the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen
Affairs
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolutions and
found them to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Erika Satterlee, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at 202-
724-1303, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Cavendish
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681