James Ku

James Ku is chief development officer of Panda Restaurant Group. He is responsible for creating strategic direction and leading the team to enhance the Panda restaurant spaces and brand in existing and new markets. Prior to Panda, he held various leadership positions at Walmart in new store development, real estate, and operations, including as chief operating officer for Walmart China and as head of facility services for Walmart US. His career in real estate development and the economic development industry took him from the US to Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China, including roles at Wells Fargo, Brookfield Logistics Properties, and USAID’s Competitive Support Fund. He currently serves on PPIC’s Statewide Leadership Council. He earned a bachelor of science in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a master of public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.