Cardinal Close-Up: Meet Robert Sinclair, Jr. Class of ‘90

Whether it’s a winter blizzard, hurricane warnings or summer travel, you can always count on local newscasters to go to one particular York College alum for safety tips and car care hints.

In his role as Senior Manager, Public Affairs for AAA Northeast, Robert Sinclair, Jr. of the York College, CUNY Class of 1990 is the go-to person for weather and travel reporters seeking to provide information for their audience. As the chief spokesman, he raises the profile of the company not just with TV and other media. He also represents it as a speaker at public and governmental meetings, community groups and schools.

Mr. Sinclair, who majored in Speech with emphasis on Rhetorical Composition at York College, pursued his MBA in Marketing at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. That training is part of the reason for the success of the former radio newscaster. In this part of the country, he has even become the public face of the company known by its ubiquitous initials (AAA). He has even been dubbed “The Triple A Guy” by members of the public.

Sinclair’s dizzying list of media appearances run the gamut from radio, television, newspapers to the world wide web and covers New York and New Jersey. He has also been interviewed by reporters as far away as Brazil, Japan and Europe.

He came by his love of all things automotive through his family. His father, Robert Sinclair, Sr., a Korean War veteran, was passionate about cars and his son developed that enthusiasm for automobiles from him. He also spent time as “a hot-rodder.” One could therefore say it runs in the family and was almost inevitable that the younger Sinclair would be led to a career in the automotive field from this unique angle.

The York alum is proud of his own skills as a car owner doing his own brake jobs and oil changes too. When so many drivers have to go to a mechanic shop for these services he’s saving money and enjoying the task.

Asked how York College helped prepare him for his successful high-profile career, the Queens Village native emphasized his alma mater’s role.

“In so many different ways, York has been instrumental in the success of my personal and professional lives,” said Sinclair. “I went to graduate school in Korea because of York College. Professor [James] Como heard about the scholarship for Black students to study in Korea and recommended me for the opportunity. Studying in Korea was the best time of my life. But every time someone comments on my skills (as a public speaker, etc.,) I say ‘Professor Como at York College….’”

Sinclair explained that Dr. Como, his mentor as a Speech major, led him to what he (Como) deemed the “two greatest speeches ever given.” Those masterful presentations are Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” and Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.”

“They changed my life. This even influenced my life as a Christian today,” said Sinclair. “I was led to study the Bible.”

Dr. Como, now retired from the institution, was one of York’s stalwart early professors, and has kind words for his mentee and York College as well.

 “The Holy Spirit put me at York, and kept me there for forty-nine years, for His good reasons; one of the most exceptional being Robert, whose intelligence, curiosity, open-mindedness, diligence, were unmatched,” said Como. “He was then and remains a gentleman. That is why he was not only one of the few [former]students at my retirement party, but that we remain dear friends to this day.  I'm looking forward to our next lunch!”

Having spent nearly three years in Korea, one expects Sinclair to speak the native language of that country. But the saying that “you have to use it or lose it,” is true.

“While in Seoul, Korea, I became fluent in Korean,” he said. “I am [now] fluent in baby talk -- able to hold a basic conversation, but I have lost a lot. If you dropped me in the middle of the countryside in South Korea, I could find my way home. That’s how Professor Como defined fluency.”

Although long graduated, his love of York College and desire to be a supportive alum, even led Sinclair to connect the college with a local financial institution. That relationship led to a six-figure donation to the institution for merit scholarships in the last decade. The York College Merit Scholarship enables students to graduate in four years rather than the protracted process it can be without meaningful financial support.