James Hill, CCIM

James Hill is the Director of the Center for Real Estate at Texas Christian University, where he advances academic excellence and cultivates partnerships between the university and the real estate industry. He provides leadership in organizational culture, strategic planning, and community engagement. Under his guidance, the Center’s advisory board has grown to over 100 members, the endowment has seen significant expansion, and student involvement has flourished through innovative programs and career opportunities. He also serves as a professor in the Finance Department at TCU.

Hill serves on the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, where he is elected by member banks to provide public service. In this capacity, he contributes to the Federal Open Market Committee’s monetary policy discussions, offering insights into regional and national economic conditions. He also oversees key aspects of the Reserve Bank’s operations, including corporate governance and internal auditing.

As an elected member of the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) Board from 2017 to 2025, Hill played a vital role in shaping governance and financial policies. He spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul of board and administrative procedures to enhance transparency and efficiency. TRWD is one of Texas’ largest water suppliers and a critical flood control partner for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, serving millions of residents.

Hill’s prior governance roles include serving as Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee at Cendera Bank, NA, and participating in the Asset and Liability, Compliance, HR, and Compensation Committees. His leadership in these roles focused on risk management, regulatory compliance, and organizational development.

He also serves on the boards of BLH Ecology Concepts, a nanoparticle manufacturing company, and Cloudburst International, a water reclamation business, where he provides strategic oversight and drives innovation in environmental and technological solutions.

Earlier in his career, Hill managed multimillion-dollar loan portfolios and government affairs as Chairman of the Political Action Committee at Texas Capital Bank. His governance experience extends to roles with the Trinity River Vision Authority, the North Texas Commission, and the Fort Worth Club, where he currently serves on the Board of Governors—reflecting his broad impact across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

In recognition of his leadership and public service, Hill was appointed by the Governor of the State of Texas to the Housing and Health Services Coordinating Council, where he contributed to improving housing and health services coordination for low-income Texans. He was also named to the Fort Worth Business Press “40 Under 40” in 2010 and recognized as one of Fort Worth’s 500 Most Influential People in 2025.

Hill holds a BBA in Business Honors and Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and an Accelerated MBA from Texas Christian University. He and his wife, Macy, live in Fort Worth with their two sons.