Dr. Hassinger has held leadership positions in the public and non-profit sectors for over 30 years. He led urban and regional planning, transportation, community and economic development programs in local governments. James was the CEO/executive director of regional councils of government in several states, including metropolitan Pittsburgh. His organizations provided a wide range of services to cities and counties through federal and state program delivery and human resource management assistance. Responsible for billions of dollars in capital improvement programs, James pioneered public involvement practices that brought thousands of new people into strategic planning and goal setting in local government. He has chaired the National Association of Regional Councils Executive Directors Council, the American Planning Association Division of Regional and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Local Development Districts Association of Pennsylvania. He advanced riverfront and neighborhood revitalization in Chattanooga, Tennessee, industrial history preservation in Birmingham, Alabama, economic revitalization in Richmond, Virginia, local government joint services delivery in metropolitan Charlotte, North Carolina, and public engagement in metropolitan transportation planning and economic development in greater Pittsburgh. He has taught courses in urban and regional systems planning, public administration, housing, and real estate finance at the Pennsylvania State University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and the University of Pittsburgh. James also consults for local and regional governments, having recently worked on comprehensive economic development strategies and regional organizational development for governments in Maine, Ohio, and Utah.
Courses Taught at Pitt
- PUBSRV 1130 - Planning in the Public Sector
- PUBSRV 1100 - Practices in Public Administration