James Willson

Background

About James Willson

Currently Assistant Director for History and Archives at the Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard (DC). Oversees the Histories Branch, and Archives Branch and the Navy Department Library, engaged in historical knowledge management creation, dissemination, and resource activities for the Department of the Navy. Previously Deputy Director of Administration for the Director of Navy Staff, and served as Navy/OPNAV Records Program Manager for Chief of Naval Operations Staff. Prior: managed the Department of the Navy’s and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Directives and Forms Programs, and led the enterprise-wide deployment of Electronic Records Management systems for the Department of the Navy and Joint Chiefs of Staff. In addition, was a management analyst for the Chief Management Office (CMO), Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) conducting data analysis for Category Management and Contract Efficiencies. Prior to that, directed information collection training and compliance programs and ensured enterprise-wide compliance with governing laws on paper and electronic records (including recent regulations concerning electronic records management and email management). Managed staff of government employees and contractors conducting Information and Records Management activities, and which also included FOIA-MDR, Directives, and Forms Program activities. Advised government organizations on how to manage their records and information management programs, and testified before a Congressionally-appointed committee on how federal agencies should use manage their records and information. A frequent Records Management guest speaker at the Potomac Forum, tech industry events like Info 930, and FOSE, and the Digital Government Institute. Managed both small and large staffs of federal workers and contractors performing records and information management activities, including Forms, Directives, and FOIA-MDR. A former university lecturer at the University of London and the London School of Economics, former Assistant Professor and Director of Politics and Values at George Washington University, teaching courses in government and political science, and the history of ideas.