C. James Fox
Biography:
Mr. Fox began his criminal justice career in 1984 as a police officer for what is now known as the West Shore Regional Police Department. He served as a Captain in the United States Air Force as an Intelligence Officer from 1985 until 1990. After his military service, he again returned to policing until 1991, when he was appointed a Federal Probation Officer in the United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania. He served as a Federal Probation Officer until 1999. Fox then left federal service to become the Police Academy Training Director at Harrisburg Area Community College. He was promoted to Dean of Public Safety and Workforce Development where he oversaw all public safety and workforce training for the College. Governor Edward Rendell appointed Fox to the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole in 2007, where he served a 6-year term as Board Member. After his term, he was the Board’s Chief Hearing Examiner until 2016, earning the Board’s “Excellence in Leadership” award. He conducted criminal justice consulting and worked for Montgomery County Community College until he was nominated to return to the Board. Fox holds a Bachelor’s Degree in police administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master’s Degree in operations management from the University of Arkansas. A noted speaker, Fox has taught many academic classes and presented at numerous seminars on various criminal justice issues. In October 2018, Fox was nominated by Governor Tom Wolf to complete a partial term and returned to the Parole Board. He was re-nominated by Governor Wolf to serve a full six-year term and was confirmed by the Senate on May 13, 2020. Mr. Fox was appointed Chairman by Governor Shapiro on June 21, 2023.