- I enjoy cooking for friends and family gatherings
- Avid Reader
- Hiking
- Enjoying the art of baking and pastry-making, experimenting with recipes
- Stand-up Paddleboarding
James "Shep" Shepherd
Tacoma,US
Summary
James "Shep" Shepherd is a strategic planning and client relationship management expert with over 25 years of experience in the federal sector, project management, and military leadership. Currently serving as a Client Planning Manager at GSA, he specializes in federal space planning, stakeholder engagement, and program execution, supporting key agencies such as DHS, ICE, and USPS. Previously, he held roles as a Business Analyst and Housing Management Specialist, leading cross-functional teams and optimizing resource allocation in high-impact environments. A U.S. Army veteran, Shep has extensive experience in logistics, operations, and leadership training, managing multimillion-dollar projects and mentoring personnel. His diverse background in public service, policy compliance, and operational efficiency makes him a versatile leader in strategic government initiatives.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Client Planning Manager
General Services Administration
04.2018 - 06.2025
- Company Overview: Public Building Service, Planning Division
- Serves as the initial point of contact for clients, gathering programmatic requirements for communications systems and other strategic needs in the identification phase of the project delivery process
- Contributes to the development of programmatic requirements by identifying potential projects and synthesizing data from multiple centers, organizations, or departments to prepare detailed reports and comprehensive analyses
- These reports encompass workplace initiatives, target square footage, estimated budgets, timing, and space utilization, whether federal or leased
- Collaborates closely with clients, providing regular status updates to leadership, and assisting in thorough research, review, and interpretation of policies and requirements to ensure program/project compliance
- Engages with stakeholders to resolve issues and provide policy management guidance related to unit work and project execution
- Develops relationships across the client’s regional and field organizations, working with both operational and support units as well as higher-level management at the national level
- This strategic positioning enables the facilitation of the client's mission while ensuring alignment with GSA’s Public Buildings Service (PBS) strategy
- Analyzes initial requirements for feasibility and collaborates with clients to determine alternative solutions where necessary, while maintaining a comprehensive understanding of PBS policies and national client initiatives
- Works with clients to manage expectations and to ensure that projects meet both their mission objectives and taxpayer value goals
- Participates in cross-functional teams, including client portfolio planning teams and special initiatives, to ensure the right projects are completed
- Works with GSA specialists—such as Asset Managers, Realty Specialists, Project Managers, and Federal Acquisition Service Account Managers—to provide seamless support and to optimize the federal footprint
- Engages with recognized technical experts to develop coordinated approaches to unique challenges, applying qualitative and quantitative methods to assess and improve program effectiveness and complex management processes
- Current client portfolio includes United States Postal Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security HQ, U.S
- Citizenship and Immigration Service, and United States Coast Guard
- Public Building Service, Planning Division
Football Coach
Cougar Mtn Middle School Football Team
03.2022 - 03.2024
- Assists in the planning, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of the coaching program to improve and develop over 50 football players ranging in age from 12 to 14
- Engages all student managers and see to it they are conscious of the worth of their work input
- Coordinates with other coaches and the administration to make sure that there are standard, fitting, and competitive opportunities for everyone
- Stays well-informed about the special requirements of the football participants such as disabilities and medical conditions
- Responsible for instructing football athletes on correct form and techniques in beginning and advanced exercises to develop the maximum physical potential of the player
- Ensures that all rules and standards of sportsmanship are upheld to the highest standard
- Maintains positive and interactive relationship with all parents so that they were well informed about the progress of their child
Business Analyst
General Services Administration
11.2016 - 04.2018
- Company Overview: Public Building Service, Planning Division
- Operates as a regional subject-matter expert for Occupancy Agreements and supports Pricing, Measures, Rent Billing Management, Asset Management Programs and Client Planning Programs
- Supports the Rent Bill Management (RBM) program to ensure sound financial management practices are used to effectively manage PBS resources in the areas of space assignment and billing
- Provides leadership, expert assistance and authoritative advice on data entry, data extraction, and data reporting for various PBS business entities and supporting GSA and Planning Division programs
- Provides guidance and training to Regional GSA staff on data entry, data extraction, and data reporting
- Acts as a liaison between the Client Planning Managers, Project Managers, Leasing Specialists/COs, and the Budget Analysts to certify OA’s are processed timely in accordance with regional time frames, measures and guidelines for data validity, integrity, approvals and submission
- Public Building Service, Planning Division
Housing Management Specialist
Installation Management Command
01.2011 - 11.2016
- Company Overview: Residential Communities Division, Housing Services Office
- Was responsible for the implementation and management of programs and directives concerning the operation and utilization of off-post family and unaccompanied leased housing, contingency housing, to include planning, scheduling and coordinating the efficient management of all Off-Post Housing issues
- Annually conducted local market analysis and surveys in order to set the BAH rates for area of operations
- Advised and assisted tenants on occupancy requirements and building a cohesive relationship with Landlords as well as neighbors
- Mediated landlord-tenant disputes and coordinated with military supervisors and commanders as necessary while adhering to local, state, and federal laws and mandates
- Served as the JBLM Rental Partnership Program (RPP) Manager and administered the daily operations of the RPP, a program which saved Service Members over $1.2M annually
- Established RPP policies and standard operating procedures; trained employees and provided guidance to employees for implementation
- Identified trends and program issues, ensured employee performance expectations were aligned with organizational goals, and evaluated subordinates’ performance in meeting standards
- Implemented corrective measures to improve internal operations
- Discussed listing requirements with property managers and inspected properties for adequacy standards
- Conducted refresher training to ensure property managers followed HSO policies and informed of procedural changes to the program
- During routine, short duration absences of the Branch Chief, served as Acting Branch Chief, leading and supervising a staff of up to seven Army Civilians and four Borrowed Military Manpower in the provision of full spectrum off-base housing services in support of over 42,000 Service Members and their Families
- Executed supervisory duties to include time and attendance, performance counseling and addressing high level complaints
- Participated in manpower surveys within branch in consideration of the total branch workload
- Residential Communities Division, Housing Services Office
Platoon Sergeant
US Army
04.2009 - 07.2011
- Platoon Sergeant for a Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition Squadron in the Army's newest Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT)
- Counseled and mentored 25 soldiers while preparing them for deployment with the forward unit
- Supported unit in current mission in Afghanistan by assisting in the training necessary for deployment of the organization’s soldiers
- Performed Casualty reintegration and Remains escort duties when required
- Was responsible for the health, welfare, morale, and physical fitness of all deploying soldiers and all returning wounded soldiers
- Served as the key assistant and advisor to the department leader and commanded the department in the department leader’s absence
- Provided administrative and technical support to the Commander and other senior staff through analysis, evaluation, advice, and coordination of administrative policies, programs, and operations
- Read, reviewed, interpreted and implemented Department of the Army, Department of Defense and Fort Lewis regulations and directives to establish internal training and office operating procedures
- Created various spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel to input and monitor budget and funding status for various projects and programs
- Was actively involved in daily status and progress meetings with senior staff and Command
Education
Associate of Arts - Business And Project Management
Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA06-2025
Skills
- Relationship building
- Scheduling coordination
- Project management
- Issue resolution
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Professional demeanor
- Communication skills
- Conflict resolution
Interests
Timeline
Football Coach
Cougar Mtn Middle School Football Team
03.2022 - 03.2024
Client Planning Manager
General Services Administration
04.2018 - 06.2025
Business Analyst
General Services Administration
11.2016 - 04.2018
Housing Management Specialist
Installation Management Command
01.2011 - 11.2016
Platoon Sergeant
US Army
04.2009 - 07.2011
Associate of Arts - Business And Project Management
Tacoma Community College
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