About

James R. Hunt brings more than 20 years of experience in planning and leadership from his past roles in North Carolina and Virginia. Previously, he served as the Division Chief of the Permit Center in the City of Alexandria, Virginia where he managed the daily financial and operations of a unit comprised of the Departments of Code Administration, Planning & Zoning, Transportation & Environmental Services, Finance/Business License, Health, Fire, Archaeology, and Information Technology Services. While with the City of Alexandria, he also served in the roles of Site Plans Examiner and Urban Planner II. Hunt also gained experience as a Community Planner for the North Carolina Department of Transportation where he managed Community Impact Assessments for statewide transportation projects.

From January 2018 through May 2024, Hunt served as the Division Chief of the Development Review division where he managed teams in the areas of Administrative Support, Applications, Permit Review, Planning Information Services, Subdivisions, Urban Design Review, and Zoning Review. Hunt has appeared regularly before the Planning board, met with various community groups, and maintained positive relationships with County leaders and partnering agencies. Hunt was also instrumental in the development and recent launch of the Prince George’s County Neighborhood Planning Academy.

Hunt holds a bachelor’s degree in geography with an urban planning concentration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Baltimore. He is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute with the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and Leadership Alexandria and holds membership in several national organizations.

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Katina Shoulars is a native of Washington, D.C. and has been a Prince George’s County resident for 30 years. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Howard University and a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University. Katina began her planning career as an intern with the Prince George’s County Department of Environment. She joined The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in 2002 as a Planner II in the Environmental Planning Section. She later served as Supervisor of that section, leading a team of planners focused on natural resources protection. As Division Chief of the Countywide Planning Division, Katina oversees infrastructure planning for environmental, transportation, historic preservation, and public facilities (police, fire, and school services) planning. Katina enjoys working with the Office of the County Executive, the Office of the County Council, and residents and stakeholders to balance the various development needs of Prince George’s County.

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Sherri Conner is the Acting Chief for the Development Review Division, which includes oversight of the Planning Information Services, Permit Review, Applications, Zoning, Subdivision and Urban Design Sections. Prior to this role, she was the supervisor of the Subdivision Section. Sherri joined the Prince George’s County Planning Department in 2008. Prior to joining the Commission, Sherri worked in private sector surveying and engineering and collectively has over 20 years of professional experience in land planning and development review.

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James Cannistra serves as the Planning Department’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and is the Division Chief for the Information Management Division (IMD).  He oversees the IT operations for the Department, including network, systems, and cybersecurity, and coordinates IT activities with the Commission’s CIO and its other IT Departments.  He also oversees the GIS Section, the Data Systems Section, and the Research Section.  These sections provide the data and analysis work essential for effective planning and land management and are used extensively by public and private organizations throughout the State.

Prior to joining the Commission, Jim served as the Director of Data Planning Services for the Maryland Department of Planning. He also served as Director and Vice President of the Sanborn Map Company and as a technical consultant and Vice President of PlanGraphics, Inc., where he supported IT and GIS development projects for over 50 varying State, Federal, and local government organizations.

Jim has a master’s degree in geography from the University of Tennessee and is a Certified GIS Professional (GISP) and Certified Photogrammetrist (CP). He resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Alisha Alexander was appointed as the Chief, Management Services Division at the Prince George’s County Planning Department where she oversees Facilities Operations, Office Services and Publications, Graphics and Website Development.

Prior to joining the Commission, Ms. Alexander was an administrator with Prince George’s County Government for over 23 years. She most recently served as the Elections Director. In that role, she conducted federal, state, and local elections and oversaw the agency’s human resources, budget, procurement, publications, outreach and education, and facilities management.

She also worked as a Community Developer in the County’s Department of Public Works & Transportation and held several leadership positions in a management consulting firm.

Ms. Alexander holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Bowie State University.