James H. Svara, PhD - Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

James H. Svara is a highly recognized scholar on leadership and political-administrative relations.   His previous books include Official Leadership in the City: Patterns of Conflict and Cooperation (Oxford University Press) and Leadership at the Apex: Political-Administrative Relations in Western Local Governments co-authored by Poul Erik Mouritzen (University of Pittsburgh Press).  He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, an honorary member of the International City/County Management Association, and former member of the National Council of the American Society for Public Administration and chair of its Section on Intergovernmental Administration and Management (SIAM).  He is Professor in the School of Public Affairs and Director of the Center for Urban Innovation at Arizona State University.  He formerly taught and held administrative positions in departments of political science and public administration at North CarolinaState University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.