James McGennis

Adjunct Professor (SPP) and Executive Director, Connecticut Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Governing Board

School of Public Policy

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Education

B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Connecticut, 1987
M.S., Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1992
M.A., Liberal & Integrative Studies, University of Illinois, 2017
M.P.A., Public Administration, University of Connecticut, 2023

Certifications

Project, Program and Portfolio Management
Certified Supply Chain Professional
Nonprofit Management

Teaching & Research Interests

Public Procurement and Contracting
Project Management in the Public Sector
Executive Leadership
Crisis Management

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Professional Experience

James McGennis brings over 25 years of transformative leadership experience across diverse sectors such as government, non-profits, aerospace, and healthcare. With a strong foundation in project management, operational optimization, and change management, he has excelled in roles that demand expertise in program realization, governance, execution and stakeholder engagement. Currently serving as the Executive Director for the State of Connecticut Criminal Justice Information Systems Governing Board, James leads critical technology initiatives that enhance digital information sharing between justice agencies.

His professional journey is marked by significant achievements, including the establishment of an IT Project Management Office at UConn Health and leadership roles in program management at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and aerospace/manufacturing enterprises. James has successfully managing high-performance teams and implementing complex projects.

In addition to these professional endeavors, James is dedicated to education, currently teaching Public Sector Procurement and Contracting at the University of Connecticut School of Public Policy. He holds an Executive MPA, BSEE, and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from the University of Connecticut, alongside a MA from the University of Illinois and an MS in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His commitment to excellence is further evidenced by their project management certifications (PMP, PgMP, PfMP) from PMI and a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) credential from APICS.