James J. Sydnor is a native Washingtonian and a product of the DC public school system, graduating from Calvin
Coolidge High School in 1980. Sydnor then achieved a Master’s in Homeland Security degree from the University
of the District of Columbia in 2018.

Serving his community, James was a prior Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner representing
Single Member District 4B04 and the Ward 4 Committeeman as a member of the District of
Columbia Democratic State Committee. He is now serving as At-Large Committeeman.
Sydnor’s service to the community extends to veterans and military families. James is the
former Chair of the Veterans and Military Families Caucus on the DC Democratic State
Committee; current Chief of Staff of the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post 341; member of Kenneth Nash American Legion Post 8; and a public member of the
Mayor’s Advisory Board on DC Veterans Affairs.

Lance Corporal Sydnor began his career in the United States Marine Corps as a mortarman with
the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines – 1st Marine Division.

Corporal Sydnor became one of the last active Cadre Instructors on Submarine Base Kitsap.
There, he and a team of Marines maintained the base’s Auxiliary Security Force, instructing
sailors on base defense tactics and deployment of tactical weapons.

Sergeant Sydnor transitioned from active duty to the reserves as a Landing Support Specialist
where Staff Sergeant Sydnor deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II as an Embarkation
Chief.

Continuing his career, Gunnery Sergeant Sydnor became an Individual Marine Augmentee in
support of exercise Key Resolve held by U.S. Forces Korea with the Republic of Korea Armed
Forces.

Having obtained the rank of 1st Sergeant, James retired after 22 years of military service.

Hector Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Lorain, Ohio.  In 1968 he arrived in Washington DC after completion of service as a Viet Nam Era Captain in the United States Army Strategic Communications Command.

He was appointed as Program Development Specialist and was assigned to a White House cabinet level agency under former Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s office. He worked with the Federal departments and national and community organizations in developing initiatives to reverse poverty and increase participation in federal programs.

In 1970 Mr. Rodriguez served as a special consultant to the US Commissioner of Education where he coordinated programs advancing education opportunities for children in low income municipal school systems.   

In 1972 he engaged our nations’ urban crisis at the National Urban Coalition. As Deputy Vice President for Cities Operations, Mr. Rodriguez worked with community, government and industry leaders on solutions for our riot torn urban centers. He assisted in organizing and managing 60 urban coalitions in our nation’s cities. He received the “Outstanding Service Award” NUC’s highest recognition for his service and contributions to our cities.

Mr. Rodriguez authored and presented the original proposal to the DC City Council, establishing what is now the DC Office of Latino Affairs which continues to generate millions of dollars in services to thousands of needy residents in the District of Columbia.

In 1991 in response to disturbances in the Mt. Pleasant /Columbia Heights neighborhoods Mr. Rodriguez launched the Las Americas Avenue Development Corporation and created a Tri-Neighborhood international tourism model advancing small business incubators, economic development and job creation. He also created a plan for the DC International Enterprise Zone.

Mr. Rodriguez was appointed to a cabinet post in 1998. As Director, DC Office of International Affairs he conducted protocol with embassies and high ranking officials in behalf of the Mayor and the District of Columbia. He also developed programs to position the District for international trade, commerce and investment. Among his accomplishments was a trade agreement he authored between DC and the Republic of Panama Chambers advancing trade and  commerce .

By nature Hector Rodriguez is a creative, solutions- driven institution builder. His professional and private life has been dedicated to public service, political participation and community economic development.

Selected civic activities and achievements:

Twice presented testimony before the US Senate- DC Full Vote/Latino participation.US government;Multiple testimonies before the DC Council- housing, economic development, education, international;Vice Chair, Committee to Support the DC Home Rule Charter-1974;Candidate, DC Council-1979,1980, 2002;Member, George Washington University Center for Small Business Advancement;Guest /Delegate White House-Summit of the Americas, Miami 1994;PresidentClinton; International Committee-US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce;VIP Escort Officer ,US Defense Department;Grand Marshall, DC Latin American Festival.

Selected Awards:

White House Communications Award- for providing support to the President of the US; George Washington Honor Medal-from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge; Latino Community Achievement Award- as author DC Office of Latino Affairs; Exceptional Service Citation-from the US Secretary of Transportation; Distinguished Community Service Award-New Human Foundation.

Mr. Rodriguez has a Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University where he majored in Communications and Political Science. He has proven leadership abilities with expertise in government operations, program formulation, economic development and international affairs.

Currently he is President of Rodriguez Communications, a consulting firm he founded in 2003 with the goal of connecting strategic markets and expanding business networks.

Senaida Bautista is a Financial Advisor and Co-Owner of Clarity Wealth Management LLC. She has worked on providing tailored investment services to individuals, families, and foundations for the past 18 years. Her focus is to provide a financial road map that addresses common concerns of income, growth and liquidity.

From 2011-2022, Marlin produced and shot more than more than about twenty 90- minute travel-adventure documentaries:

- CUBA: A Road Journey from Havana to Trinidad, Santiago and beyond

- THE SILK ROAD: China to Turkey - In the Footsteps of Marco Polo

- NORTHERN EUROPE: St.Petersburg, Moscow, Prague, Copenhagen, London and Paris

- SOUTHERN EUROPE: Paris, Cannes, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia and Istanbul

- PAKISTAN & AFGHANISTAN: On the border and on the Edge (also known as "In The Shadow of bin Laden")

- CITIES OF ITALY: Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Naples & the Amalfi Coast

- SECRETS OF ANCIENT EGYPT: The Greatest Story Never Told

- MADAGASCAR: A Land Out of Time – Return to Treasure Island

- The AMAZON: A Discovery Voyahge down the Great River Sea

- PEARLS OF THE CARIBBEAN: A Voyage from Cuba to Puerto Rico, St. Barts, St.Maarten, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia and Barbados

- CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA: Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama Canal,Colombia, The Galapagos, Easter Island, Peru & Brazil

- A WEEK IN PARIS: What to see and do in The City of Light. Also Versailles, Loire Valley

- MEDITERRANEAN DREAM: A Voyage from Alexandria to Greece, Italy & Gibraltar.

- HAWAII & THE SOUTH PACIFIC: The Big Island, Oahu, Kauai, Galapagos, Easter Island, the Marquesas, Rangiroa, Moorea and Tahiti

- JEWELS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA: Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia & Thailand

- LOST TRIBES OF NEW GUINEA: A visit to the Dani, Asmat & Korowai tribes

- TREASURES OF TURKEY: Exploring Anatolia’s Cultural and Historical Marvels

- WONDERS OF THE WORLD: Exploring 30 Great Archeological and Nature sites

- TROPICAL ASIA:  A Journey through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia