James A. Sinclair

Notes for the Class of 1966

Who am I?
I am a retired professional civil engineer/planner/ project manager and a participant-observer who can simultaneously be involved in an activity and at the same time study and critique the process.

I have developed an eclectic combination of academic, political and technical skills in my 50 years as an active participant in many of the major public policy battles in Trenton, N.J. As a nationally recognized authority on environmental policy, as well as the design and implementation of regulatory systems, I have been successful in blending politics, public management and issue advocacy.

Since graduation I have continued my studies at:
E.I DuPont, Project Management (1968)
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1969), Fallout Shelter Analysis (certification)
New School New York (1971), Urban Environment
Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Under Graduate (1969-1973), Took a number of undergraduate courses in philosophy (3), political science (2), and economics (1)
Rutgers University- Graduate (1970-1973), Planning (3) and Engineering (2).
State of New Jersey Professional Engineering License (1975)
Rider University (1975-1977), Master of Arts in Administration
American Management Associations (1978-1979), Senior Project Management (certification)
Harvard University -Kennedy School of Government (1980), State and Local Government
University of Southern California –Washington Public Affairs Center (1981-1990), MPA Masters in Public Administration, Doctorate in Public Administration (Public Policy, Systems Analysis, Administrative Theory and Behavior), Dissertation: The NIMBY Game: Implementation of New Jersey's Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility Siting Policy. (Cum. Ave 3.92)
Harvard University (1999) Business School, Economics and the Environment
Rider University (2006 -2007) Visiting Scholar-spent most of my time in library.
Monmouth University's Urban Coast Institute (UCI) served as a Visiting Public Scholar in Residence (2008-2009). During my tenure, I develop a blog: (http://www.thevisitingscholar.blogspot.com), participated in a course on lobbying (Federal and State Lobbying and Advocacy). It was lots of fun and I was given the opportunity on Tuesday evenings to contribute war stories about “real world” experiences in the State capital. I assisted in fundraising, and conducted a series of public round tables where the top officials in NJ held discussions (Coastal Zone Management, Tourism Policy and Working Waterfronts as well as the management of the coastal lakes and the development of adequate warehousing facilities for the port).


Since graduation I have been employed as:

E.I. DuPont (1967-1968)
As an area engineer for responsible for the construction, job safety, cost and scheduling of small to medium sized projects in the Misc. Intermediates Area (Golden Triangle) and for the completion of the Mobile Equipment Center ($666,000). Received numerous cost saving awards, including an improved method of post curing P.V.C. pipe installation in the field.

Atlas Chemical Industries in Tyner TN (1968-1969)
As design engineer for under the supervision of William Pichon, Director of Engineering, was responsible for all civil engineering design on a major plant conversion including:

• Set up, supervised and developed a plant new lighting survey and a new lighting plan for the existing plant.
• Worked on new plant master construction plan and proposal.
• Developed the preliminary design, including cost, for the following projects: a new classification yard, consolidated shops structure, combined administration building, dispensary, dining hall, change house, new loading facilities, communications center, and computer center.
• Layout and design of a new burning ground
• Misc. plant grading and utility problems.
• Developed engineering cost analysis figures to compare the continuous nitration process to the batch process.
• Conceived and worked on the application of direct digital control to the continuous nitration process.
• Helped prepare a proposal for modernization of a sister facility in Indiana.
• Supervised the drafting room.

City of Trenton NJ (1969-1972)
Directed the urban renewal program for the City of Trenton, NJ.
• Coordinated all redevelopment activities: acquisition, relocation, demolition, project improvements, disposition engineering and fiscal.
• Responsible for supervision, development of contracts and specifications, and inspection of all engineering work for the Department of Planning and Development including underground utilities relocation, building demolition, site preparation, and other assorted duties.
• Represented the City of Trenton, NJ in meetings with county, state and federal governments and with private developers and citizens concerning urban renewal construction and project improvements.
• Developed and supervised the department summer intern program.
• Also assisted in coordination of the City's planning and inspection efforts, including Workable Program, Code Enforcement Areas, urban renewal planning and development studies.

State of New Jersey (1972-1981)

Director, Urban Systems Engineering Program in the Department of Community Affairs undertook a year-long study and produced a new administrative system for the enforcement of the NJ Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law, a redesigned information processing system, new administrative forms for inspection reports and violation notices, an implementation strategy for system start up, and electronic data processing for operation of the new system.

• Review and analyze the existing housing resource operational policies and procedures of the Division of Housing and Urban Renewal.
• Conduct a study of the State-local cooperative inspection program.
• Conduct a study of the legal enforcement system including the legislative foundations of the system, the flow of casework, and the various aspects of the administrative enforcement and administrative penalties.
• Analyze the existing inspection system.
• Analyze existing information system in the Bureau of Housing Inspection from registration to violation abatement.
• Prepare a list of findings recommendations concerning the operation of the existing system.

Chief of the Bureau of Housing Production was responsible for directing the bureau, administering the housing demonstration grant program and the design and implementation of New Jersey's Neighbor Preservation Program.
• The Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) began with the passage of the “Maintenance of Viable Neighborhoods Act” in 1975. This legislation established a program of grants to encourage and promote the social and economic strengthening and development of neighborhoods. It was envisioned that this would be achieved through the cooperative, concentrated efforts of residents, local lending institutions, businesses, municipal governments and the State of New Jersey.
• The Neighborhood Preservation Program takes a comprehensive approach to neighborhood development, which affords municipalities flexible and creative options and it is ongoing in 2016.

Director of Development Uniform Construction Code, led implementation team, worked with code advisory board, reviewed other states, wrote administrative regulations, adopted national model codes and set up training and certification program. (First in nation)

Executive Director of the Liberty State Park Study and Planning Commission, conducted a thorough study and investigation of the various alternatives for planning and development of LSP.
• The "Guidelines for the Development and Financing of LSP” included the development of a "Science and Technology Center", access to Liberty Island, a fishing pier, a golf course, and development of a private charitable organization such as “the Friends of LSP”, a regional planning group that integrates the planning and development of the waterfront from Bayonne to the GW Bridge, but rejected a theme park.
• In addition to public hearings and public meetings, the commission selected the AIA to conduct a volunteer multi-disciplinary R/UDAT team that was comprised of architects, planners and economists, to study the park and its surrounding neighborhoods.
• To identify economic feasibility guidelines, ULI, was selected to look at back acreage of the park and the neighborhoods.

Executive Assistant (chief of staff) to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection , responsible to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for intra divisional programs, policy committee, communications with the Governors Office, implementation of the Transition Report, reorganized the department to facilitate the shift from conservation to a growing regulatory role, served on the NJ Economic Development Authority, The NJ Canal Delaware and Raritan Commission and oversaw the Development of N.J.'s Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility Siting Policy.

Deputy Director of the NJ Housing Finance Agency, under the leadership of Bruce Coe, reorganized the agency and took on "problem project" working group where 20 housing projects were examined and structural or ownership problems were resolved. Serving for over a year as Acting Chairman of the Housing Finance Agency with a billion-dollar portfolio of new housing. Also was a member of the National Association of Housing Finance Chairmen.

Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (2000 employees) for several years at the end if the Byrne Administration (1979-1982).
• The DCA is a State agency created to provide administrative guidance, financial support and technical assistance to local governments, community development organizations, businesses and individuals to improve the quality of life in New Jersey.
• DCA offers a wide range of programs and services that respond to issues of public concern including fire and building safety, housing production, community planning and development, and local government management and finance. It was an exciting time that was filled with public policy problems and implementation challenges.
Concurrently, all the administrative disputes, personal problems, and budgetary dilemmas had to be resolved in the midst of legislative, presidential and gubernatorial campaigns.

New Jersey Business and Industry Association (1981-2005)
Vice President, responsible to the President for oversight of management, administration, marketing and fiscal functions of the largest statewide employer Association in the USA. (13,000 companies in 1981- 24,000 in 2015).

Established the legislative briefing breakfasts, the computerization of the agency and its records and the expansion of its staff, the revision of its dues structure and a long tern growth strategy for membership increase.

First Vice President, combined legislative activity, regulatory action, and politics as NEW JOBS director, member service and on the job education. It was worth having to do all the bureaucratic trivia to be able to work with my colleagues, the folks at NJDEP and members of the environmental network on most of the truly meaningful environmental programs of the era. My major duties included:
• Lobby Legislature, Governor's staff, legislative committee and Office of Legislative Services staffs to affect desired policies or policy changes.
• Develop and maintain network of contacts within Legislative branch.
• Provided background information and present testimony at legislative committees and hearings.
• Prepared and submitted comments on proposed regulations.
• Provide background information and present testimony to state government departments, commissions and boards.
• Developed and maintain network of information contacts within the Executive branch.
• Provided state and national leadership representing the business community on special commissions, working groups and committees related to regulatory and public policy issues.
• Served as liaison between member companies, legislative offices and executive departments.
• Served as first Staff Director of the New Jersey Manufacturing Council (2002-2005).
• Served as Director of the NJBIA Environmental Network (over 20 years).
• Served on the NJBIA Government Affairs Committee and County Employer Legislative Committees.
• Created issue seminars, legislative briefing breakfasts and wrote extensively for NJ Business and other business publications
• Introduced the use of personal computer, desktop publishing, Regulatory Briefs, Legislative Briefs, brown bag lunches, daily electronic newsletters and industry working groups.

Politics
I have been a campaign consultant, manager and/or volunteer on numerous local, state and national political campaigns where I specialized in election day planning and field management.
• For Governor (Corzine, McGreevy, Florio, Merlino, and Byrne).
• For US Senate (Menendez, Lautenberg, Corzine, LaFante, and Leone).
• For Congress: (Adler, Bass-Levin, Laurenti, and Yates).
• In presidential elections, where I provide expertise in the petition process, delegate selection, election-day operations and field management.
• For US President (Hillary Clinton-committee on vacancies), Howard Dean (delegate selection director), Al Gore (committee on vacancies), Bill Clinton (committee on vacancies), Mike Dukakis (committee on vacancies), Joe Biden (State Director), Walter Mondale (committee on vacancies and election day coordinator), Jimmy Carter (committee on vacancies., NJ Deputy Campaign Director and South Jersey Field Director), and George McGovern (field worker).
• In 2000, I was a member of the Platform Committee and in 1984 the Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Convention.
• I was also involved in municipal politics as a democratic committeeman (treasurer- democratic party) and county politics (member executive committee).

Directed the activities the New Jersey Organization for a Better State (1982-2004) including acting as surrogate treasurer, fundraiser, event coordinator, spokesperson, NJ Election Law Enforcement reporter and campaign director.

NEW JOBS is an independent political action committee, organized by leaders in the business community, in 1959, to support the candidacy of pro business legislators. It was the largest and oldest pro-business political action committee in New Jersey.

I retired in 2005 and moved my wife to the top of my project list. At the present time, I live in the Presidio of San Francisco, in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and am afforded an opportunity to provide service to the community and remain committed to the process of life-long learning.

I feel that I received two different diplomas for attending two different institutions. One, from Pennsylvania Military College, for attending a military college that prepared young men for a military career and the second, Widener College/University, a first rate engineering school that prepared students to enter the "world of tomorrow" and to partake in the process of "life long learning". 1966 was my year at Widener.


Getting into the Pennsylvania Military College engineering school, surviving the engineering transformation at PMC and actually graduating was a personal achievement. Receiving a professional engineers license, graduate work in engineering and understanding that most of the engineers were just like me, was an added reward.  Except on the licensing exam, and in a few graduate courses, I never got to write a differential equation, a partial differential equation or do any Laplace transforms or Lagrangian mechanics.

I came to PMC craving "adventure", it turns out that it was not in the military but I was always out on the public policy ledge where failure was always possible and personal embarrassment was assured.
I embraced innovation, idea generation and experimentation on the boundaries. I confronted the three things I thought engineers didn't want to do: public speaking, evening meetings, and sales and marketing.

I could not have done this on my own. I have to give maximum credit to my beautiful wife, Lynn Gail Frappier.  She is an exceptional person and my friend. For forty years, she put up with the work, the campaigns and the endless schooling. She almost always gave me encouragement.
 Since retirement in 2005, I have moved her up to the top of my projects list. My son Matthew Jefferson Sinclair, the ADP computer expert, is a truly fine gentleman and a friend. We moved to California to be close to him and to get our computers, IPad and IPhones up to date.

I was successful in the world of real engineering work at E.I. DuPont and Atlas Chemical. Urban redevelopment/ housing/planning and local government was exciting and there was so much to learn and be exposed to. State Government provided systems and organizational design in practice. The NJ Uniform Construction Code was doing something that they said couldn’t be done. Liberty State Park was an opportunity to play Frederick Law Olmsted in the twentieth century. As a political tactician, I have studied and applied what I have learned to Election Day operations; get out the vote campaigns, the delegate selection process, organizing, and fundraising.  

I have benefited from life long learning about construction, design, local government, state government, and the business community, from schools such as the Pennsylvania Military College, Rutgers University, Rider University, the New School for Social Research, Harvard University, and the University of Southern California. I have also learned from my colleagues.  I am driven by my intuitive-thinking side (Myer-Briggs).  As a civil engineer/planner, I am a true participant-observer.

Perhaps in this lifetime, the greatest gift that I received was being in the right place at the right time. I have been offered the opportunity to learn regulatory and environmental policy and to understand their implementation. I have mastered political organization and tactics on a state level using a systems perspective. I have developed an eclectic combination of academic, political and technical skills in my 45 years as an active participant in many of the major state public policy battles in Trenton, N.J. As a nationally recognized authority on environmental policy, as well as the design and implementation of regulatory systems, I have been successful in blending politics, public management and issue advocacy.

I am motivated by a desire to understand and improve the world. Duty is the underlying core of what was learned at PMC and the best indication of an individual's philosophy. It was not what a person said but how he behaved. I have for the most part, acted accordingly.

Engineering at Widener was more than bricks and mortar and technology, it was also people and ideas, past and present.

Fifty years ago, Dr. Murphy sent me and my fellow graduates a letter that laid out a summation of what we obtained and offered instructions for the future. I would like to thank him for his vision. I am very proud of my association with the program, and as difficult as it was, I would do it all over again.