Mr. James D. Adams, P.E., serves as Vice President at KSE, where he leads the Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) and Quality Assurance (QA) division. Since joining the firm in May 2016, he has been responsible for overseeing construction management, inspection services, and quality control/quality assurance programs, ensuring that projects are delivered in accordance with contract requirements, regulatory standards, and industry best practices.
Mr. Adams brings extensive leadership experience in managing large-scale capital programs for public-sector clients. Prior to joining KSE, he held a senior leadership role at the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA) within the Office of Program Operations, where he directed multidisciplinary teams responsible for the design, construction, and closeout of complex capital projects. As Regional Director for the Newark Regional Office, he managed a portfolio of emergent and capital improvement projects, overseeing a staff of more than 25 professionals and ensuring effective project execution, stakeholder coordination, and compliance with program objectives.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Adams served as Director of Engineering for the City of Newark, where he was responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of municipal infrastructure and public facilities. His leadership extended across a broad range of infrastructure systems, supporting citywide capital improvement initiatives and operational needs.
Mr. Adams’ additional experience includes serving as Senior Resident Engineer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), where he oversaw construction activities on major transportation projects, and as a Construction Engineer for the New Jersey Highway Authority. He also served as Associate Vice President for Real Estate Development and Facilities Operations at New Jersey City University, where he managed institutional assets, led strategic planning efforts, and directed capital projects, including the redevelopment of the University’s 23-acre West Campus through a public-private partnership (P3).
Mr. Adams holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.) from Villanova University and a Master of Science in Management of Technology from Stevens Institute of Technology. His extensive experience in construction management, program oversight, and quality assurance, combined with his leadership in public-sector infrastructure delivery, positions him as a key contributor to KSE’s project execution capabilities.