William C. James is an author with a rare career arc: he rose from a GS-1 file clerk to the federal Senior Executive Service. Along the way he held pivotal roles at the Defense Mapping Agency, the Pentagon, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he modernized IT systems, pioneered digital cartography, and expanded healthcare access for veterans. His work earned him the prestigious Fed100 award, among other honors. James is the author of the memoir The Accidental Executive: Finding Purpose in Public Service, and now turns to fiction with The Chariot Protocol, a techno-thriller set within the VA. A passionate advocate for public service, James consults for companies in the Veterans Affairs IT market and enjoys exploring new technologies. He lives with his family in Vienna, Virginia.