James Gilmore, Jr., is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He earned his B.A. in Political Science at Southern University, as well as a Master of Public Administration and Ph.D. in Human Resources from Louisiana State University. James is certified by the Human Resource Certification Institute as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and is certified in Diversity & Inclusion in Human Resource Management. Upon completion of his master’s degree, James was hired by a Fortune 500 company to manage Human Resources by recruiting and hiring staff, workforce training and development, safety management, benefits/payroll, and employee relations.

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In 2003, James joined Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco’s administration as a Policy Advisor on Social Services, Housing, and Community Development. His job activities included researching, analyzing, and advising in the areas of temporary assistance to needy families, childcare, foster care, affordable housing, and strategies for reducing poverty. In 2005, he was selected as a Fannie Mae Fellow and attended Harvard University's John F. Kennedy Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program to expand his knowledge in community leadership and development.

 

In 2006, James was appointed Vice-President of the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency. While there, James assisted the Agency's President in formulating and implementing single-family and multifamily housing policies and programs to help Louisiana increase its supply of safe, decent, and affordable housing. He was also responsible for providing workforce leadership and training, assisted with the direction of the Agency's financial, administrative and business affairs, managing its $12 million operating budget and $2 billion combined Mortgage Revenue Bond portfolio, including Community Development Block Grant, HOME funds and Housing Trust Fund.

 

He has served on various boards and commissions including East Baton Rouge Parish Public Housing Authority, East Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission, Baton Rouge Metro Airport Commission, Louisiana Center for Health Equity, and Louisiana State University College of Human Sciences Peabody Society Board of Directors, BREC Foundation. He is also a founding member of the Mentorship Digital Media Academy and the Mentorship Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Academy.