Official Site of The State of New Jersey
The Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission is advised in its actions by its Executive Director, who serves as the chief administrative officer of the Commission. The Executive Director is an employee of the Department of Environmental Protection, but by law is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Commission. The Director assisted by and oversees the operations of a professional staff of administrative and engineering personnel based from their office at the historic Prallsville Mills complex in Stockton, New Jersey.
Biography
John Hutchison was appointed the fourth Executive Director of the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission on July 10, 2017. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. In 2010-2011, Mr. Hutchison was Executive Director of the Red Tape Review Group, a bi-partisan commission established to review rules promulgated by State departments and agencies and make recommendations for reforming the regulatory process in New Jersey.
Prior to his service in the Executive Branch, Mr. Hutchison held a number of staff positions with the New Jersey Legislature. He served as Director of Research for the Senate Majority Staff from 1993 to 2007. He was aide to a number of standing reference committees, most notably the Senate Environment Committee, where he assisted in the drafting of legislation to reform the State’s hazardous waste cleanup laws, promote the productive reuse of “brownfields” sites, and establish the Garden State Preservation Trust open space acquisition program. From 1988 until 1993, he was a Research Associate with the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services. At OLS he drafted legislation on a wide range environmental protection, natural resource, agriculture and coastal issues. He also served as aide to the Senate Coastal Resources and Tourism Committee and the Assembly Economic Growth, Agriculture and Tourism Committee.
Mr. Hutchison has served as a member of the State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the New Jersey State Privacy Study Commission, the New Jersey Lake Restoration Study Commission, the Lambertville City Planning Board and the Lambertville Shade Tree Commission.