James Rodriguez, a lifelong resident of Houston's East End and graduate of Milby High School, was sworn in as a Houston City Council Member for District I on January 2, 2008.
Today, James frequently meets with District I constituents and spends most evenings and weekends participating in community events across the District. Because of this tireless commitment, James is on a first name basis with the District’s civic leaders, business owners and clergy members.
James’ current council member assignments include service on the following:
M/WBE, Small Contractor Development and Contract Compliance, CHAIR
Sustainable Growth, VICE-CHAIR
Budget & Fiscal Affairs
Public Safety & Homeland Security
Regulation Development & Neighborhood Protection
Transportation, Infrastructure, & Aviation
Texas Municipal League, Director At Large, Houston
Houston-Galveston Area Council, Board Member
Alternate Council Member on the Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Policy Council
From January 2002 to June of 2006, James served as chief of staff to Houston's Mayor Pro Tem and City Council Member for District I, Carol Alvarado. James worked very closely with the Council Member and was responsible for overseeing her Council Agenda, Committees, Office/Operating Budget, Media and Public Relations, Constituent Services, and Community Outreach.
In fact, at the city, James directed a staff that became widely known for their 24-hour service and unmatched dedication to District I and the City of Houston as a whole. Together, they worked to improve the air in the East End, shut down nuisance bars and cantinas, install cameras at problem rail crossings, and revitalize Houston's now flourishing downtown.
James has been involved in politics for many years. After graduating from the University of Houston in 1998, James began work as a political consultant in Houston. He has managed winning campaigns for City Council Member Carol Alvarado and Justice of the Peace Jo Ann Delgado. In 2000, he coordinated field and media activities for the Al Gore Presidential Campaign in Houston and traveled to Wisconsin to manage Get Out the Vote efforts for the campaign. He also coordinated the field, media, and Get Out the Vote campaigns for the Houston Independent School District's Rebuild 2002 Bond Campaign and served as the Hispanic Field Consultant for both the Tony Sanchez for Governor Campaign and the Mayor Lee P. Brown Campaign.
Before entering politics and public service, James worked for Papercity, Houston's leading style magazine and an avid baseball fan, James's first job was as a batboy for the Houston Astros.
James Rodriguez is a member of:
Greater East End Chamber of Commerce
Harris County Tejano Democrats
Houston Alumni Organization (HAO)
U of H Young Alumni Connection - Advisory Board
Tejano Assoc. for Community Concerns – Advisory Board
Garden Villas Civic Club
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
