James Freas

James Freas is Deputy City Manager for Operations for the City of Charlottesville, overseeing the Public Works, Planning, Housing, Utilities, and Transit departments. Prior to this role he led the Neighborhood Development Services Department, the planning and development department of the City.

James has worked in planning in both Virginia and Massachusetts leading many different planning and zoning projects tackling issues of housing, transportation, economic development, downtown revitalization and environmental quality.

James holds master's degrees in planning from the University of Rhode Island and in environmental law from Vermont Law School.