James Lee Witt (born January 6, 1944) was Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during the administration of President Bill Clinton. Witt was born in Paris, Arkansas, and was raised in Dardanelle, in Yell County, Arkansas. He founded a construction business in 1968. At 34, he was elected County Judge of Yell County. Witt was re-elected to the post six times and was recognized by the National Association of Counties for his work. Witt was a charter Board Chairman of Child Development Inc., which works to advance Head Start programs.