James Ratchford

James Ratchford serves as Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs for Florida Power & Light Company, where he is responsible for the development and execution of FPL's community engagement and stakeholder communications.

Before joining FPL, Ratchford served as Communications Director for the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), a trade association representing the high tech industry in Washington, DC. At ITI, he served as the primary media spokesperson on high tech industry issues at the national level and in Washington, as well as directing policy issues for member companies. Previously, he was a Senior Vice President with Financial Dynamics (FD), an international business consulting practice, where he designed and managed communications and public relations campaigns for a wide range of corporate and non-profit clients in Washington. He served as Managing Director with Westhill Partners' public affairs practice in Washington before the firm was acquired by FD in 2006.

James’ communications background also includes political campaigns, both as a consultant and on staff, for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives races. James received a B.A. in English literature from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and an M.A. in English literature from North Carolina State University. A native of Alexandria, Va., he is married with three children and resides in Jupiter, FL.