Jim Purcell

Jim has over 25 years of experience in the public and private sector working in education, public policy and human services.

Jim attended the University of Delaware, graduating with a political science and history education degree in 1993. By 1997, Jim had received his Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Delaware with a specialization in state and local government and non-profit management.

In 2002, Jim joined the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula as a Manager of the Southern Delaware office. There he helped manage the office, promoted Red Cross products and services, and organized fundraising activities to benefit the American Red Cross.

In 2005, Jim became the State Director for Communities in Schools of Delaware, where he helped to build the organization from the roots up. As State Director, Jim helped grow Communities In Schools in Delaware from serving four schools to 15 schools. He increased the organization’s budget from $350,000 to over $2,500,000 employing and managing non-profit agency with 40 employees, influencing the lives of over 12,000 students in Delaware.

Jim Purcell worked for Dover Behavioral Health as Director of Business Development and Community Relations. As Director Jim is responsible for business development, relationship and stakeholder management, marketing and communications as well as strategic and organizational development.

Currently, Jim is the Director of Development Energize Delaware-Empowerment Grant, a non-profit dedicated to bringing energy efficiency programs to Delaware residents. Jim managed a $4 million merger settlement from the Exelon-Delmarva Power merger. Under the direction of the Public Service Commission, Public Advocate’s office and with advisement from the Energy Efficiency Action Council at DNREC, Energize Delaware under the leadership of Jim oversaw a grant program for communities in the Delmarva service territory within Delaware to ease the energy burden these communities. In 2022, Energize Delaware launched the Energy Equity Fund to broaden the scope of the Empowerment Grant program. The Empowerment Grant’s vision is to implement impactful and innovative energy equity projects in underserved communities that include direct investment, community outreach, education, and engagement. Low- and moderate-income communities have been historically underserved. The Empowerment Grant is focused on expanding the inclusion and participation of low- and moderate-income communities in the clean energy movement.

Jim is a member of the University of Delaware Alumni Association, Philantrhopy of Delaware and serves on the Milford City Planning Commission. He resides in Milford with his daughter and is often coaching, teaching the youth of the community.