In October of 2007, James G. Featherstone was appointed General Manager of the City of Los Angeles' Emergency Management Department.  A native of Washington D.C. and veteran of the United States Navy, Jim began his years of service to the City of Los Angeles in 1986 with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

While working for the LAFD, Mr. Featherstone served tours as a Public Information Officer, Academy Instructor, Chief Officer's Staff Assistant, Station Commander, and Task Force Commander.  In 2004, he was transferred to the LAFD's Tactical Training Section.  As the Section's Tactical Training Officer, he oversaw all WMD and catastrophic event training, simulations and exercises.

Mr. Featherstone worked through a variety of emergencies during his tenure with the LAFD.  They include the 1992 Civil Disturbance, 1993 Firestorm, the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, and numerous local major emergencies and regional campaign incidents.  In the spring of 2000, he was selected as a Fire Plans Officer for the 2000 Democratic National Convention (DNC) to develop the Fire Department's Operational and Tactical plans.  In this role, he collaborated with a variety of federal, state and local public safety agencies.

An alumnus of the National Fire Academy (NFA), Mr. Featherstone completed the NFA's residence curriculum of Incident Management courses.  He serves as an Adjunct Instructor at the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center at Texas A&M University.

Mr. Featherstone remains a member of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local 112, where he served as a Negotiation Team Member for 19 years, as a Chief Negotiator for 5 years and as a member of the Executive Board.  He is also a member and past Executive Board Member of the Stentorians of Los Angeles City, a distinguished organization representing African Americans in the Fire Service.

In January 2006, Mr. Featherstone was selected as the Acting Assistant General Manager of L.A.'s Emergency Preparedness Department.  In this role, he spearheaded the reorganization and enhancement of the department.  He remained key to the City's preparedness activities until his formal appointment to his current position by Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa.