Position Title
Executive Director, Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)
James Corless is the executive director of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). He has led the creation of a national model to accelerate infill development through the region’s innovative “Green Means Go” program, the development of a 1,000 mile regional trails vision to provide more active transportation options, helped the region secure over $1 billion in state funding for local transportation projects, and spearheaded the initiation of Civic Lab, the region’s first government solutions accelerator. Other milestones include the creation of a regional Youth Leadership Academy, the development of SACOG’s first ever racial equity framework and action plan and a new regional economic Prosperity Strategy in partnership with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sacramento Metro Chamber, Valley Vision and the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce.