Jim Hunt | Speaker, Author, Podcast Host, Leadership Consultant

Jim Hunt is a nationally recognized voice in local government leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Jim has served as a city councilmember and mayor, advised public and private sector organizations, and worked alongside thousands of leaders who share one goal, building stronger cities and towns. His work is grounded in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the pressures facing local government today, including rising costs, infrastructure needs, public safety demands, and community expectations that evolve faster than ever. 

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Leadership rooted in City Hall experience

Jim’s public service began in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he served on the Clarksburg City Council from 1985 to 2012, including terms as Mayor. During this time, he helped lead transformational projects such as the construction and dedication of the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, a milestone project that placed Clarksburg on the national map and shaped the city’s long-term future. 

Jim also co-chaired the Harrison County School Bond Committee that successfully passed a historic $39.6 million school bond, which supported the construction of Robert C. Byrd High School and Bridgeport Middle School, investments that strengthened educational opportunity and community pride across the region. 

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State and national influence

Jim’s leadership extended far beyond his hometown. He served as Chairman of the Region VI Planning and Development Council for more than a decade, and later as President of the West Virginia Municipal League. In 2006, Jim became the only West Virginian ever to serve as President of the National League of Cities (NLC), representing America’s cities and towns at the highest level while staying closely connected to the everyday challenges local leaders face. 

That same year, he was named Municipal Leader of the Year by American City & County Magazine, a national recognition that reflects a career defined by credibility, impact, and service. 

In recognition of his lifetime commitment to local government, the West Virginia Municipal League established its highest individual honor in his name, the James C. Hunt Lifetime Achievement Award. 

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Community development and revitalization experience

Jim’s career also includes significant work in housing, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development. As a senior manager at the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, he helped oversee more than $750 million in projects supporting housing initiatives across the state. Later, as Executive Director of Sunnyside Up, he led an innovative partnership between West Virginia University and the City of Morgantown to revitalize the historic Sunnyside neighborhood near campus, proving what is possible when communities align their goals and act with purpose. 

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Author of practical, field-tested leadership books

Jim is the author of three books focused on helping communities thrive through leadership, innovation, and a practical approach to problem-solving:

• The Amazing City: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City

• Bottom Line Green: How America’s Cities Are Saving the Planet (and Money Too)

• The Entrepreneurial City: Building Smarter Governments Through Entrepreneurial Thinking

His writing is built for leaders who want solutions, not theory, and who are working every day to improve quality of life in their communities.

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Host of the Amazing Cities & Towns Podcast

In 2020, Jim launched the Amazing Cities & Towns Podcast, which now includes more than 150 episodes featuring mayors, city managers, innovators, and thought leaders from across the country. Through authentic conversations and real examples, Jim highlights what works in local government and why leadership still matters as much as policy. 

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Founder of Amazing Cities and trusted advisor to organizations serving local government

Jim is the founder of Amazing Cities, an initiative built around helping communities reach higher levels of performance through entrepreneurial leadership, strategic thinking, and better public-private collaboration. He has visited and advised more than 1,000 city halls, and continues to support organizations that deliver innovative solutions to cities and towns. 

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A speaker who connects with local leaders because he has been in their shoes

Jim’s speaking style is practical, energetic, and relatable, built around the belief that local government is still the most important level of government in America. He is known for connecting quickly with audiences and delivering takeaways that leaders can use immediately. 

Jim’s keynote and workshop topics often include:

• The Entrepreneurial City and how local governments adapt in an era of rapid change

• Leadership that lasts (for mayors, councilmembers, and city managers)

• City branding that works and how communities build momentum

• Social media, citizen engagement, and managing public pressure

• Building partnerships that solve problems faster and smarter 

 

West Virginia roots with a national reach

A proud West Virginia University alumnus and lifelong West Virginian, Jim remains deeply tied to his home state while working nationally with local government leaders and organizations. His mission is consistent and clear, help cities and towns build stronger communities by embracing innovation, leading with courage, and using entrepreneurial thinking to deliver better outcomes.