James Luk - MACOG Staff Spotlight
James Luk grew up in Hong Kong before moving to the U.S. to study political science at the University of Notre Dame. He later earned a master’s degree in political theory from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. When he’s not working, James enjoys spending time in the great outdoors with his wife, Elsa. Whether it's a walk in the woods, a summer trail run, or cross-country skiing, he likes staying active. He also enjoys learning languages as a way to connect with different cultures.
Before joining the MACOG team, James worked at enFocus, where he gained experience on regional projects ranging from transportation to tree canopy initiatives. He has an entrepreneurial spirit and is no stranger to building projects from the ground up, as he once started a small business focused on helping students and community members reuse local refrigerators. He describes himself as inquisitive, adaptable, and accountable.
In his role as Land Bank Manager, James oversees properties in the land banks’ inventory, supports the acquisition and disposition process, and helps with community outreach. When asked what drew him to MACOG, James noted his excitement about the opportunity to "help build something new for the region and work alongside a team tackling a wide range of projects across Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall, and St. Joseph Counties." He finds particular motivation in being a steward of the land, helping ensure properties are in better condition than when they entered the land bank.
We are excited to have James Luk on the team!
Quick Questions
Three words that best describe you.
Inquisitive, adaptable, accountable
You have headphones on, what are you most likely listening to?
Probably a 2000s mix on Spotify
Where is your “happy place”?
Waking up early for a trail run in the summer or heading out for cross-country skiing in the winter.
Do you have a secret talent?
I enjoy learning languages as a gateway to different cultures and even took a few semesters of Arabic in college.
