James is TEDCO’s APEX Accelerator Program Manager, a program that falls under the Federal Programs department. In this role, he helps businesses navigate the federal marketplace by leveraging his extensive background in Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), Other Transaction Authority (OTA) mechanisms, contracts, and SBIR/STTR programs. His experience advising small businesses and startups on proposal development, team formation, and technology transition gives him a unique ability to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation.
James brings more than 25 years of experience in Department of Defense (DoD) research, technology transfer, and innovation to his role supporting TEDCO’s Apex Accelerator Program. His career spans leadership positions at the Navy Medical Research Center, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, SRI International, and a consultancy he founded to guide companies through federal contracting, regulatory strategy, and commercialization pathways.
A Navy veteran, principal investigator, and leader of DoD R&DS, James has managed multimillion-dollar R&D portfolios and supported the development of regulated diagnostics, therapeutics, and medical devices. He is passionate about mentoring entrepreneurs and fostering public–private partnerships that strengthen Maryland’s innovation ecosystem and national defense readiness.
Outside of work, he likes to go biking, hiking, music, bird watching, wood working, gardening, training dogs, spending time with family. Most of all, learning!
James was an avid commuter by bike in the DMV for many years to benefit his health and the environment. Sometimes his commute was as over 26 miles one way, so that meant that I was biking over 50 miles a day.