Meet the Team

At Aether Path Employment Services, the work is personal. We’re here to listen, guide, and help you take the next step toward your goals with tools that actually work. Meet the people behind Aether Path — starting with James, who is working to build this service to make career support more accessible, practical, and human.

  • Originally from the Pacific Northwest and now based in Southern Arizona, James has spent much of his career advocating for underserved communities. He is passionate about education, reentry support, and social equity, and continues to write and publish on workforce development and barrier mitigation. Outside of work, he enjoys history, cultural studies, and building projects that connect education with real-world opportunity.

    Background & Education

    James holds dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Arizona: a B.A. in Anthropology (Cultural Specialization) and a B.S. in Literacy, Learning & Leadership with an emphasis in Leadership for Equity, Access, and Success in Education. He also earned an A.A. in Anthropology with an early childhood education focus from Tacoma Community College, and he has pursued graduate-level legal studies in the Master of Legal Studies program at the University of Arizona, with coursework in family law, legal analysis, and research.

    Professional Experience

    James has over a decade of experience in workforce development, case management, and organizational leadership. Most recently, he served as a Workforce Specialist at the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), where he:

    • Developed and defended a client-centered service model that expanded frontline workforce practices to align with federal mandates under WIOA and the Wagner-Peyser Act.

    • Spearheaded cross-agency innovations, including intake systems, reentry support models, and interdepartmental coordination to reduce benefit denials.

    • Designed and delivered an original training curriculum for justice-involved individuals, helping translate hard skills into employable pathways.

    His work has been recognized for combining policy-level insight with on-the-ground impact, often serving high-barrier populations including veterans, justice-involved individuals, and people with disabilities.

    Philosophy & Approach

    James is deeply committed to client-centered, holistic service. He believes that employability goes beyond a resume. It's about removing barriers, reframing experiences, and helping people see their own value. His philosophy is rooted in the idea that employment services are human services, built on equity, dignity, and opportunity.