Darren L. James is a recognized community advocate and civic leader with decades of experience in multiple project types. As President of KAI Enterprises, Darren is accountable for Dallas/Fort Worth Executive & Civic Leadership and strategic growth for each of KAI Enterprises’ four companies. Darren seeks complex, culturally-conscious and politically-sensitive projects that provide lasting differences in the lives he touches. Darren serves on several non-profit and professional Boards of Directors and is a prolific author and guest lecturer. In 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott named Darren as Chair of the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) – a multi-profession regulatory agency that oversees the examination, registration and professional regulation of architects, interior designers and landscape architects. In 2019, Darren was elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. He was named one of D CEO Magazine’s 2023 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in North Texas for the third consecutive year, 2022 Elite News Dr. R.E. Price Meritorious Service Award, recipient of the 2021 TxA Award for Equitable Practice in Architecture in honor of John S. Chase, Jr., and 2021 KU Black Alumni Network’s Mike and Joyce Shinn Leaders and Innovators Award.