BUTTIGIEG NAMES JAMES MUELLER AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Today, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced that James Mueller will be the City’s new Executive Director of Community Investment, transitioning from his current position as Chief of Staff to the Mayor. The Department of Community Investment plays a critical role in realizing the Mayor’s vision across several key areas: economic opportunity and business development, city planning and strategic investment in community resources, and neighborhood engagement and policy.
“James is a talented public servant and trusted leader who will hit the ground running on day one, meaning we won’t skip a beat,” said Mayor Buttigieg. “He has already made a major and positive impact from his position in my office, and we are fortunate that he has answered my call to serve our City in this new way. I look forward to continuing our work together to realize the vision of a growing city with vibrant, welcoming neighborhoods and inclusive economic growth.”
Born and raised in South Bend, Mueller returned home in July 2015 to become Chief of Staff to the Mayor. In this role, he worked with the Mayor to hone the city’s mission, core values and vison for the community, launch the city’s diversity and inclusion initiative, raise the minimum wage for city workers, and balance the budget. His organizational leadership has guided the administration’s structure in the Police Department and the recently created departments of Venues, Parks and Arts and Innovation and Technology.
“It has truly been an honor to be a part of Mayor Pete’s vision for our City over the past two years,” said Mueller. “I am excited and humbled by this new opportunity to serve my hometown and will continue to work tirelessly to make good on our mission to deliver services that empower everyone to thrive.”
Mueller will become the Executive Director of Community Investment effective Monday, April 24. He will transition out of his duties as Chief of Staff over the next few weeks as a replacement is identified and brought on board.
Before joining the Mayor’s office, Mueller promoted pragmatic public policies and affordable energy solutions at the George Washington University’s Solar Institute in Washington, DC. He also served in the office of US Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), for nearly four years, first as a John A. Knauss Legislative Fellow and then as a policy advisor on energy and natural resources.
Mueller is a 2000 graduate of Saint Joseph’s High School. He went on to study mathematics, history, and philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, where he received his bachelor degrees in 2004. After college, he studied ocean science and engineering at the University of Delaware where he received his doctorate for his work to improve weather, severe storm, and climate models.
###