James Drake
About James Drake
James Drake is an Agile Methodology Lead and Continuous Delivery Lead at Fannie Mae and a Development Infrastructure Lead at MicroPact, Inc. He has over 18 years of experience in the software industry, specializing in Agile methodologies and cultural transformation.
Company Roles
James Drake is currently working at MicroPact, Inc. as the Development Infrastructure Lead in Herndon, VA. In addition to this role, he also serves as the Agile Methodology Lead / Continuous Delivery Lead at Fannie Mae in Washington D.C. Previously, he held multiple roles at Fannie Mae, including Senior Software Developer / Agile Evangelist from 2004 to 2010, and has significant experience in various development and Agile coaching positions across different organizations.
Career Background
With over 18 years in the software industry, James Drake has considerable experience in both software development and Agile methodologies. His career began as a GIS Software Engineer at Weston Solutions, Inc. in Seattle, WA, followed by roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, Digital Focus, Vizuri, and Fannie Mae. Notably, he spent six years as a Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Navy before transitioning into software engineering. His extensive background includes various senior positions where he specialized in promoting and implementing Agile practices.
Agile Leadership and Coaching
James Drake has specialized in driving organizational agility and cultural change using Agile values, principles, and practices. He provides leadership and coaching to foster cultural transformations, particularly at MicroPact, Inc., where he has been leading the development of automated software delivery since September 2014. His expertise includes working closely with executive, mid-senior management, and development teams to deliver business value through Agile practices.
Education and Expertise
James Drake studied at the University of Maryland Global Campus from 1995 to 1997, and also attended the University of Washington. His formal education complements his extensive professional background, equipping him with the knowledge and skills to excel in software development and Agile coaching roles. Over the years, he has honed his expertise in areas such as automated software delivery, organizational agility, and cultural transformation.