James Kwak

James Kwak is an accomplished performance manager with extensive experience in public administration and budget management. Currently serving as Performance Manager for Howard County Government since 2017, James designed the county's premier performance management initiative, HoCoDASH, and oversaw a $1.7 billion operating budget as Deputy Budget Administrator. Prior roles include Deputy Chief of Staff at the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, where James managed a staff of 30, and Director of Ethnic Commissions, overseeing the work of seven ethnic commissions. Earlier career highlights include serving as a Budget Analyst for the State of Maryland and Asian American Liaison for Baltimore City. James holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Boston College.