Who’s your Genesee County Commissioner? If you don’t know, check out this handy tool created by Genesee County Geographic Information Systems. Just plug in your home address and you will find district and contact information.

Commissioner James Avery, the chair of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, was born in Flint and lived there until he was 10. After attending Bunche Elementary, his family moved to Grand Blanc where he became an Ottawa Hills kid!

He attended Grand Blanc Community Schools from junior high through his graduation in 1984. While pursuing a football offer at Western Michigan University, Commissioner Avery experienced a serious injury that ended his pursuit of college football. Following this, his collegiate studies included Mott Community College, Baker College and the University of Michigan. He studied in both undergraduate and graduate levels with a concentration in Education.

Commissioner Avery’s work experience includes time in retail, automotive, and education. Starting in high school and for nearly 17 years, Commissioner Avery worked in retail until he was accepted into an apprenticeship program in the automotive industry as a skilled tradesman.  After several years in this capacity, he made the discovery that his purpose in life was to work with youth.

Commissioner Avery resigned from the automotive industry and transitioned into education. He taught at Genesee Area Skill Center (now GCI) and Flint Southwestern Academy. Following that experience he started working in administration at the Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD). For eight years, Commissioner Avery was employed at the Flint and Genesee Group, where he was the Director of Talent Development. In May 2024, Avery became the new Executive Director of Berston Field House in Flint.

Community service has always been an important part of Commissioner Avery’s life. For 11 years, Commissioner Avery served as a school board member in the Grand Blanc Community Schools District. He served in many capacities on the board, including as president for five years. Because of his commitment to education, Commissioner Avery was elected by school districts across the county to serve on the Genesee Intermediate School District Board where he spent two years as a board member, simultaneous with the Grand Blanc School Board.

You can reach Commissioner Avery at JAvery@geneseecountymi.gov or (810) 341-5945.