JAMES G. BLAINE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 Blaine Enterprises (1998-present). A vehicle for personal and professional projects, including:

  • Perspectives, a regular blog (2012-present)
  • Courses, workshops and writing projects at jamesgblaine.com
  • The Blaine Funds, which invests in small, innovative social impact projects
  • Strategic consulting and planning for non-profit organizations, including the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, the United Way, Kennett Area Senior Center, La Comunidad Hispana, and Stroud Water Research Center.
  • Annual reports, newsletters, case statements and other written and online communications.

 Pennsylvania Center for Investigative Reporting, Harrisburg, PA (2010-2012). Executive Director charged with launching non-profit statewide organization whose mission is “to provide independent, in-depth, issues-oriented investigative journalism that will give the people of Pennsylvania the tools they need to ensure that the state’s institutions are accountable and that their representatives are responsible stewards of the people’s welfare.” IRS issues sunk the project because funding sources dried up.

Ganaderia Humacita Ltda (1980-96, 2012-present) US-based general manager of a cattle operation in Colombia with 3 farms, 12,000 acres, 1,700 animals. One farm, taken over by invaders in early 1990s, now the subject of arbitration with the Colombian government.

New Jersey Council for the Humanities Summer Institute (2013). Created and led a workshop for teachers on environmental justice – a full semester course in one (long) week.

Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, PA (1995-2011), a non-profit organization dedicated to research and education on fresh water issues, with offices in Pennsylvania and Costa Rica. Consultant, Assistant to the Director, Director of Education, Research Associate

  • Led two strategic planning processes as the Center became (1) an independent 501(c)(3) organization and (2) completed an $11.5m capital campaign.
  • Conceived and wrote Stroud Water Research Center: A Portrait, 1967-2000; wrote/edited news magazines, annual reports, op-ed pieces, press releases, major grant proposals and peer-reviewed articles on water issues.
  • As Director of Education (2004-7) oversaw growth of department budget to ~ $600,000, wrote successful grant proposals for ~ $1m, and helped create a variety of innovative programs, including: a series of workshops in Peru and Costa Rica, a program to help local governments create policies to protect their sources of fresh water, and “Art and Science on the Brandywine” with the Brandywine River Museum and the artist, Jamie Wyeth.
  • Created MountaintopàTap, a 3-week rigorous trek by inner-city and rural high school students, who followed the path of New York City’s water supply, on foot and by boat, from the mountains to the city, during which the students become the spokespeople for a system that serves 9 million people; Art & Science on the Brandywine, a program combining water issues and the art of the Brandywine Valley, in conjunction with the Brandywine River Museum and the artist Jamie Wyeth; The Brandywine Trek, a program for Pennsylvania high school students based on the New York project; Sustainable Feast, an annual outdoor dinner for 100+ people using local foods and beverages to highlight the connection between clean fresh water and healthy, abundant food,
  • Member of the Schuylkill Learning Community, a diverse group of greater Philadelphia organizations focused on water and watershed issues.
  • Oversaw education programs at SWRC field station in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
  • Accompanied scientists as writer on major research projects in New York and Amazonian Peru.

Kennett Communications, Inc., Pennsylvania (1986-2000). Founder, owner, publisher, reporter, editorial writer, The Kennett Paper (1986) and The West Chester Paper (1990) (weekly newspapers).

  • Started successful newspaper from scratch and ran it and other papers for 14 years; built first paper’s paid circulation to ~7,000 by creating a unique niche in a highly competitive market.
  • The Kennett Paper was named Pennsylvania’s weekly “Newspaper of the Year” in 1997, 1998, 1999; 2nd in 1995. Avon Grove Sun (launched in 1999) was 2nd in 2000.
  • Personal awards: International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors: "Golden Dozen” editorials, 1989, 1990, 1998. State awards for editorials, columns and feature articles.
  • Sold company in 1998, remained with new corporate owner as publisher of eight weeklies (including two start-ups) through 2000.

College of the Atlantic, Maine (2011). Adjunct Professor. Taught environmental justice course.

University of Pennsylvania (2004, 2008-2011) Lecturer, Master in Environmental Studies program. Courses: “God, Gold & Green: Themes & Classics in American Environmental Thought;” “Science, Policy & Management of Rivers and their Watersheds;” “A Primer on Streams & Rivers.”

Center for Whole Communities, Vermont (2011). Fellow.

Blue Mountain Center, New York (2009) Water Residency. Developed manuscript, “The Whole River,” published in Winter 2010 issue of Waterkeeper Magazine.

Pennsylvania Newspaper Association (2007-2008). Created and edited www.passopenrecords.org, a daily blog aimed at revamping Pennsylvania’s right-to-know law. Both houses of the legislature approved new law, which Gov. Rendell signed on Feb. 14, 2008. Received PNA’s Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence (2008).

Beacon Technologies, Inc., Pennsylvania (1998-2009). Co-founded Internet and computer-services company and built it to ~$2 million in revenues. Sold company in 2009.

Upland Country Day School, Pennsylvania (1992-3, 1999-2003). Taught 6th grade history and 8th grade English.

Ford Foundation/Local Initiatives Support Corporation, New York (1981-3). Created, researched, reported and wrote a series of comprehensive studies of seven inner-city neighborhoods and evaluations of community development corporations in New York City, Newark, N.J., Boston, and Cleveland.

McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts (joint appointment) (1982-9). Research Fellow in Psychiatry. Directed project on legal and therapeutic issues surrounding work-treatment programs in psychiatric hospitals.

Chester County 2020 Trust for Community and Environmental Leadership, Pennsylvania (1999-2000). First president of non-profit focused on environmental and urban revitalization issues.

Amego School & Development Center, Massachusetts (1971-2). Taught autistic and severely brain-damaged adolescents.

Other: Member of faculty, New School for Social Research (1980s); started and ran after-school tutorial program in a Boston public housing project (1975-6); Teaching Assistant, American Intellectual History (1974-5).

Congressional candidate, 16th District of Pennsylvania (1996). Endorsed by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Lancaster Intelligencer. Received more votes and raised more money than any Democratic candidate in the history of district Republicans have held since 1854 . . . but lost.

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. (1978), American Culture, University of Michigan
  • MA (1971), American Culture, University of Michigan
  • BA (1967), History (cum laude), Harvard College

Other: Berlitz School of Languages (Spanish) (1983-5); National Outdoor Leadership School, Alaska (2001); Outward Bound, Hurricane Island, Me. (2002); Poetry Alive!, Asheville, NC (2002)

MILITARY (1967-70). Active duty, U.S. Army (Intelligence), Allied Command Europe, SHAPE Hq. NCO in charge of section. French linguist. Honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant (E6).

AWARDS

  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association, 2015
  • Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, 2008
  • Pennsylvania Newspaper of the Year: The Kennett Paper (1997, 1998, 1999, 2nd 1995)
  • Pennsylvania Newspaper of the Year: Avon Grove Sun (begun in 1999) runner-up (2000)
  • International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors: "Golden Dozen” editorials (1989, 1990, 1998)
  • Numerous Pennsylvania Newspaper Association awards for editorials, columns and features.
  • Ford Foundation grants: LISC program, 1980; University of Michigan 1970.
  • University of Michigan: University Fellowship, 1970-1.
  • Harvard College: Detur Prize, 1966; Dean's List, 1963-7; Harvard Honorary Fresh Scholarship, 1963.
  • S. Army: Joint Services Commendation Medal, 1970

BOARDS

  • National Advisory Board, Natural Resources Council of Maine, 2000-2014
  • Director, Mid-Atlantic Newspaper Services, Inc., 2004-2010
  • Trustee, La Comunidad Hispana, Kennett Square, 2001-2004, 2008-2012
  • Director, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Foundation, 2001-2006
  • Trustee, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2002-2005
  • Director, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, 1991-2001 (president, 1999-2000)
  • Director, United Way of Southern Chester County, 1994-2000
  • Founder and director, Beacon Technologies, Inc., 1997-2009
  • Founder, president, director, Kennett Communications, Inc., 1986-1998
  • Board of Trustees, Upland Country Day School, 1985-1994 (chair, 1986-94)

PUBLICATIONS

  • Perspectives, a thrice-weekly blog on private thoughts and public issues (2012-present) (jamesgblaine.com)
  • “American Myths, American Dreams: How the stories we tell create the people we are”
(WOLFoundation Finalist, 2011)
  • “Seeing the Whole River,” Waterkeeper Magazine, Winter 2010
  • passopenrecords.org, a daily blog for the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association (2007-2008)
  • “The Economy of Trees,” (with Bernard W. Sweeney), The News Journal (2009)
  • “Resurrecting the In-Stream Side of Riparian Forests” (with Bernard W. Sweeney), Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education, Issue 136, June 2007
  • “Enhanced Source-Water Monitoring for New York City,” Seven-article special issue, Journal the North American Benthological Society, Vol 25, No. 4, Dec 2006. Guest editor, lead author/author on two chapters
  • Stroud Water Research Center, a Portrait, 1967-2000 (2001)
  • "Patient Work Programs a Decade after Souder v Brennan: A Survey of Selected Private Psychiatric Hospitals," The Psychiatric Hospital, 1987
  • "Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Patient Work Programs in Mental Health Institutions: A Proposal for Change" (with John H. Mason), Boston College Law Review, 1986
  • The Birth of a Neighborhood,D. dissertation, (nominated for Allan Nevins prize, 1978)
  • Many editorials, op-ed pieces, news and feature articles, and blog posts