Member Biography


Dr. James Worsley CPRE

Dr. James Worsley is the Deputy County Administrator in Chesterfield County, Virginia, providing leadership to approximately 930 employees representing six departments with a budget in excess of $98 million. Additionally, he serves as a liaison to the Courts System and the Health District.

James is a Certified Park and Recreation Executive, a member of International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and a past Chair of the Supervisors Management School Board of Regents. He is also a past Chair of NRPA's National Certification Board and served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Counties Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO). Dr. Worsley successfully led departments in Columbus, Georgia (2014) and Chesterfield County, Virginia (2018) through their first accreditation processes with CAPRA. He also served on Council of Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Fields. Notably, Dr. Worsley received the Ernest T. Atwell Award from the National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society (NRPEMS) and in September 2019 was elected and inducted into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA). The National Recreation and Park Association honored Dr. Worsley with the National Distinguished Professional Award in 2020.

James holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), a Master in Science from UNCG and a Doctorate of Philosophy from North Carolina A&T State University. He is also involved in the following: Capital Area Workforce Partnership; Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation; Community Criminal Justice Board; Homeward Board; Senior Connections Board; Lucy Corr Health Center Commission; Project Discovery of Virginia; and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

James is married to Tara Worsley and is the proud father of three children (Lily, James Jr., & Bryce). He enjoys baseball, traveling, and attending events with his wife and children.