James K. O’Connell is an environmental engineer and elected official with over a decade of experience working on complex environmental issues. James began his career consulting for federal agencies on industrial wastewater regulation development, air compliance monitoring, and natural resources management. Later, he managed state-led remediation projects across the U.S. and ran a national solid and hazardous waste management program for a large oil and gas client. In 2024, James joined the Los Angeles Water Board Site Cleanup Program where he oversees a diverse portfolio of high-profile remediation projects. In 2025, he was elected to the North Hollywood Neighborhood Council, where he serves as the Outreach Committee Chair and sits on the Planning, Land Use, and Transportation Committee. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida and can be found most weekends biking the LA River Trail.