Jim is a lifelong resident of Philadelphia who has spent nearly his entire career in public service to the city. He has served as Commissioner of Records since April 2016, appointed by Mayor Jim Kenney. In that role he serves as Recorder of Deeds, manages the city’s records management program across all departments, administers public access to records including the city’s historical archives, and oversees the city’s printing and binding center and official photographer. Before becoming Commissioner, Jim practiced law in Pennsylvania for approximately 17 years, focused on real estate transactional law, municipal pension matters, and the PA Right-to-Know Law, spending nearly his entire legal career in the City of Philadelphia Law Department. He earned his law degree from Villanova University School of Law in 1999 and his B.A. in History from Villanova in 1996.

Deric leads a workforce of roughly 1,000 employees and a $392 million budget serving 92,000 residents in Daytona Beach. A John C. Maxwell certified speaker, trainer, and coach, he is known nationally for dynamic presentations on leadership, resilience, and civic engagement, drawing on his own path from Winter Haven, Florida, through Bethune-Cookman University and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, to the city manager’s office. He is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and has led three Florida communities as City Manager: Winter Haven, Haines City, and Daytona Beach.