2024 NYNJ Infrastructure Forum Agenda
Future Proofing New York City's Infrastructure
Our region is shaped by systems that New Yorkers rely on, every day. We need to not only maintain a state of good repair but also modernize vulnerable facilities and meet the demands of climate change. Generational investments across our region mean that our collective approach to scaling delivery is more important than ever. New York City’s Chief Infrastructure Officer talks about design thinking for our 21st century public works.
NYC Dept. of Design and Construction: Improving the Process to Deliver Billions in Capital Projects
Responsible for over $33 billion in capital construction, the NYC Department of Design and Construction faces the urgent task of upgrading our city’s aging infrastructure and serving New Yorkers with needed public facilities throughout the five boroughs. DDC First Deputy Commissioner Macfarlane will detail the agency's plans to deliver projects better, faster and cheaper by reforming the capital delivery process in partnership with city and industry partners. Highlights will include DDC’s critical work to build coastal and stormwater resiliency.
Equity in Infrastructure: From Concepts to Contract Awards
This panel will explore programs supporting the engagement of Historically Underutilized Businesses in municipal contracting opportunities, including the various programs at the MTA which has resulted in over $1B in annual contracting for New York State and federally certified firms. The panel also will assess the threat to regional and federal DBE programs from SCOTUS-related decisions in other sectors as well as hearing from an MWDBE consultant who can discuss the value of business-transforming prime contracts in growing the available contractor pool for agency programs.
Gregory A. Jenifer, CEO, Armand Resource Group, Inc
Phillip A. Washington, CEO, Denver International Airport; Co-Chair, the Equity in Infrastructure Project
Lourdes Zapata, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Metropolitan Transportation Authority
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Responding to the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse
This presentation will focus on the critical role played by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the response and recovery efforts following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. McTighe will discuss the immediate actions taken to stabilize the situation, the engineering challenges encountered and the strategies implemented to restore the vital federal navigation channel. He will also highlight the importance of partnerships with industry in executing these operations, emphasizing how collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for successful disaster recovery and helps ensure the resilience of the nation's infrastructure.
New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection: Making NJ’s Key Water Infrastructure Climate Resilient
Upgrading New Jersey's aging water infrastructure is essential for public health, sustainability and economic growth. But worsening climate change challenges such as flooding, warming temperatures and rising sea level are causing new impacts that need urgent attention. Join NJ Environmental Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette for an update on priority efforts to build long term resilience into critical infrastructure and development in the state.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NY: The Future Rides With Us
MTA C&D is responsible for the maintenance, improvement, and expansion of the $1.5 trillion asset that is the MTA’s transit system. In the midst of creating the MTA’s next 5-year capital plan, the agency is developing hundreds of projects that will keep the region moving for decades to come. MTA C&D President Jamie Torres-Springer will provide an overview of the MTA’s priorities for the next capital plan and how the agency is building capacity to deliver even greater results.
Lunch Roundtables
Optional facilitated conversation tables
Read about each one here.
Decarbonizing Infrastructure: Aggressive Targets, Ambitious Projects
New York and New Jersey both have forward-looking carbon-reduction programs that will lead to more sustainable practices in the design and construction of infrastructure. In New York, the Climate Act calls for reducing carbon emissions 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050. Last year New Jersey enacted one of the most aggressive but market-driven laws in the U.S. to reduce embodied carbon in construction materials, including concrete. Projects impacted range from transit work to energy to water improvements—in addition to major efforts in the buildings sector. During this panel discussion, learn how these laws and policy changes relate to current and future design and construction.
Zoe Baldwin, Vice President, State Programs, Regional Plan Association
Anthony J. Fiore, Chief Program Officer, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Sofia Zuberbuhler-Yafar, Assistant Commissioner for Sustainability & Urban Design, NYC Dept. of Design and Construction
$9B First Phase of JFK’s New Terminal One Sets Soaring Standards
John F. Kennedy International Airport is undergoing an unprecedented $19-billion makeover and upgrade, anchored by The New Terminal One which will be the largest terminal at JFK Airport when complete. Sustainably designed and future-focused, the state-of-the-art terminal will serve as a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area. The project's $9 billion first phase is the largest single-asset project financed in the United States. The world-class New Terminal One will replace the existing Terminal 1 and occupy the footprint of the former Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and the Green Garage, while maintaining the existing AirTrain station on a 133-acre site. Hear from New Terminal One Capital Program Director Palmina Whelan about the ambition of the project and how this unique endeavor is progressing.
The Path to Greater Resilience for New York/New Jersey Bridges
Whether it be natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods or human-made ones either accidental or purposeful, what are we doing to help the region’s bridge infrastructure withstand or recover quickly from extreme events of the future? Hear from experts about not only engineering solutions but also the need to change our mindset about project delivery, streamlining processes, sharing risks appropriately and using life-cycle thinking to bring costs down. Solutions to these challenges will lead to more investment in essential projects and a pipeline of work in the years to come.
Panelists: Rizwan Baig, Chief Engineer, Port Authority of NY and NJ
Jamey Barbas, Project Director, Mario Cuomo Bridge, New York State Thruway Authority | Commissioner, Gateway Development Commission
Maria Lehman, U.S. Infrastructure Market Leader, GHD | Vice Chair, President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council | President Emeritus, ASCE
Paul Schwartz, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Bridges, NYC Dept. of Transportation
Amtrak: Rebuilding the Northeast Corridor
With a major infusion of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Amtrak is rebuilding the Northeast Corridor for a new generation of passenger rail. Billions of dollars’ worth of improvements are slated for the New York/New Jersey region including major projects such as East River Tunnel Rehabilitation, Sawtooth Bridges, and others advancing through the project pipeline. Amtrak VP for Infrastructure Project Delivery Jay Sankar will provide an update on these and other major investments that are helping to shape the future of the NEC.
A Portal to the Future of Rail in New York and New Jersey
The $1.7-billion Portal North Bridge, the largest construction project in the history of New Jersey Transit, is a key component of the $33.7-billion Gateway Program that will double rail capacity between Newark, N.J., and New York City. Rich Schaefer, the agency’s Senior Vice President of Capital Programs, will discuss project progress and future opportunities for industry.
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The $16B Hudson River Tunnels Program: A Live Critical Path Podcast
In ENR’s first-ever on-stage, live podcast, ENR Deputy Editor for Infrastructure Aileen Cho will chat with the Gateway Program’s Jim Morrison about the challenges of building a new pair of tunnels under the Hudson River—including the long struggle to get there and the opportunities for industry.
Project Presentation:
A Portal to the Future of Rail in New York and New Jersey
The $1.7-billion Portal North Bridge, the largest construction project in the history of New Jersey Transit, is a key component of the $33.7-billion Gateway Program that will double rail capacity between Newark, N.J., and New York City. Rich Schaefer, the agency’s Senior Vice President of Capital Programs, will discuss project progress and future opportunities for industry.
Richard (Rich) Schaefer
Senior Vice President, Capital Programs,
NJ TRANSIT
Rich Schaefer accepted the position of Senior Vice President of Capital Programs in August 2023. In this role, he is responsible for directing the capital programming process by allocating resources to specific capital projects and pursuing state and federal grant opportunities. He directs the planning and design for construction, repair, renovation and/or rehabilitation of NJ TRANSIT facilities and infrastructure system wide, as well as oversees project management from preliminary engineering through construction close-out, directing the program development and implementation of NJ TRANSIT’s Environmental Services functions for remediation. Additionally, he supervises establishment of engineering and architectural standards and policies corporate wide for NJ TRANSIT, directs the design and development for rolling stock and equipment purchases, and leads the strategic direction of the Capital Programs group through implementation of the 5-year capital plan and 10-year strategic plan to meet short and long-term goals and objectives.
Previously, Rich served as Chief Engineer of Design and Environmental for NJ TRANSIT, leading the capital planning effort, in-house architectural and engineering design services, the Environmental & Energy Group, and the standards & Quality Group. A structural bridge engineer by discipline, he has over 25 years of diversified experience designing and building infrastructure projects in the northeast region and nationally varying from simple overpass replacement to complex cable supported bridge rehabilitation. He has extensive experience building and implementing capital programs with a focus on buildable solutions that make the most of the dollars spent. Rich also serves as an adjunct professor at NJIT where he teaches a master’s class in bridge design. Rich is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New Jersey and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
NYC Dept. of Design and Construction: Improving the Process to Deliver Billions in Capital Projects
Responsible for over $33 billion in capital construction, the NYC Department of Design and Construction faces the urgent task of upgrading our city’s aging infrastructure and serving New Yorkers with needed public facilities throughout the five boroughs. DDC First Deputy Commissioner Macfarlane will detail the agency's plans to deliver projects better, faster and cheaper by reforming the capital delivery process in partnership with city and industry partners. Highlights will include DDC’s critical work to build coastal and stormwater resiliency.
Eric Macfarlane, P.E.
First Deputy Commissioner
NYC Department of Design and Construction
First Deputy Commissioner Macfarlane, who has been with the agency since 1996, was previously Deputy Commissioner for Infrastructure, where he was responsible for thousands of critical projects and helped implement important process improvements such as Joint Bidding. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the City College of New York and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York (NYU-Tandon School of Engineering). He is a New York State licensed Professional Engineer (P.E), a Member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and a member of the National Academy of Construction (NAC), Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) and Environmental Sustainability Professional (ENV_SP).
As First Deputy Commissioner, Eric has a high level of responsibility for formulation of agency policy affecting all executive, managerial, professional, technical and support staff. He works closely with senior staff across all DDC divisions as the agency continues to implement policies and procedures consistent with the goals expressed in our Strategic Blueprint for Construction Excellence. The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital design and construction project manager. In supporting of New York City long-term objective of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $34 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative, and environmentally conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.
$9B First Phase of JFK’s New Terminal One Sets Soaring Standards
John F. Kennedy International Airport is undergoing an unprecedented $19-billion makeover and upgrade, anchored by The New Terminal One which will be the largest terminal at JFK Airport when complete. Sustainably designed and future-focused, the world-class and state-of-the-art terminal will serve as a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area. The project's $9 billion first phase is the largest single-asset project financed in the United States. This monumental effort will replace the existing Terminal 1 and occupy the footprint of the former Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and the Green Garage, while maintaining the existing AirTrain station on a 133-acre site. Hear from New Terminal One Capital Program Director Palmina Whelan about current and future work opportunities and learn how this unique endeavor is being made possible.
Palmina Whelan
Capital Program Director
The New Terminal One at JFK
Palmina Whelan has successfully managed over $6 billion in capital programs at major aviation hubs including New York John F. Kennedy and Dallas-Fort Worth. With more than 25 years of experience, she brings significant expertise in overseeing complex aviation and infrastructure projects and a strong track record in collaborating with a myriad of stakeholders to deliver successful programs. As Capital Program Director of The New Terminal One at JFK, she leads the planning, design and construction management of a new $9.5 billion international terminal, the nation's largest single-asset project financing. Palmina is a prominent advocate for the construction industry and for the advancement of women in infrastructure. She serves on the boards of the Construction Management Association of America and the Women Builders Council.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NYC, The Future Rides With Us
MTA C&D is responsible for the maintenance, improvement, and expansion of the $1.5 trillion asset that is the MTA’s transit system. In the midst of creating the MTA’s next 5-year capital plan, the agency is developing hundreds of projects that will keep the region moving for decades to come. MTA C&D President Jamie Torres-Springer will provide an overview of the MTA’s priorities for the next capital plan and how the agency is building capacity to deliver even greater results.
Jamie Torres-Springer
President
MTA Construction & Development
Jamie Torres-Springer joined the MTA in 2021 as President of MTA Construction & Development and Chief Development Officer. He is responsible for better, faster, and cheaper delivery of the MTA's $55 billion capital plan through innovative management of construction work for subways, buses, commuter railroads, bridges, and tunnels. Prior to joining the MTA, Mr. Torres-Springer served as Commissioner of New York City's Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the agency responsible for delivering infrastructure and facilities across New York City government. He led development and implementation of DDC's Strategic Blueprint for Construction Excellence, a comprehensive plan to streamline capital project delivery, and had a leading role in several programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York City's adaptation to climate change, and reform of the criminal justice system. Prior to DDC, he led a national planning practice working on urban infrastructure, open space, and citywide strategic plans for inclusive growth and sustainability.
New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection: Making NJ’s Key Water Infrastructure Climate Resilient
Shawn M. LaTourette,
Commissioner of Environmental Protection,
New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Philip D. Murphy appointed Shawn M. LaTourette in June 2021 as New Jersey's Commissioner of Environmental Protection. As head of the state Dept. of Environmental Protection, he is responsible for formulating statewide environmental policy and directing programs that protect public health and vulnerable communities in New Jersey and ensure the quality of its air, land, water, and natural and historic resources, while also facilitating public infrastructure development and economic growth. Born and raised in New Jersey, Commissioner LaTourette graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University and earned his law degree summa cum laude from Rutgers Law School.
Equity in Infrastructure: From Concepts to Contract Awards
Moderator
Paul Monte
Partner,
Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
A construction and public contracts attorney concentrating in transportation and other infrastructure projects, Paul Monte has provided counsel to contractors working on some of the NY/NJ area’s highest-profile projects. Paul has worked with clients building the Second Avenue Subway, East Side Access, LaGuardia Airport, Tappan Zee Bridge replacement, LIRR-Third Track, Bayonne Bridge, among many others. He regularly advises clients on compliance issues related to DMWBE and other historically underutilized businesses and has worked with leading trade groups on ways to improve those programs.
Panelists
Jose B. Febrillet
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mr. Febrillet is responsible for driving the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’srelentless focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion with both internal andexternal stakeholders. His responsibilities include oversight of the agency’s businessdiversity strategies and programs to ensure inclusionary contracting practices thatsupport and reflect the diversity of the community the agency operates in. He alsodirects the agency’s workforce diversity programs which focus on implementingtransformative policies and initiatives to strengthen and foster a diverse and inclusivework environment. Additionally, Jose oversees the agency’s federal, state, and local lawcompliance and reporting efforts related to Title VI, Title VII and ADA.
Prior to his current position, Jose was the Director of the Project Management Officewhere he provided agency-wide leadership for the planning, development, andsuccessful implementation of projects in accordance with industry best practices as wellas the development and oversight of the agency’s capital plan and annual capitalbudget.
Jose has more than 35 years of management experience in all aspects of projectplanning, development, and implementation and has been instrumental in the on-targetimplementation of several significant capital construction projects at various PortAuthority facilities. He served in multiple roles in the agency including Program Directorin the Aviation department and worked as part of the engineering team that managedthe early phase of the WTC Reconstruction program. He also played a critical role in themanagement, development, and implementation of the agency’s post-9/11 SecurityCapital Program. Jose holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and is a licensedProfessional Engineer.
Gregory A. Jenifer
President & CEO
Armand Resource Group, Inc.
Gregory Jenifer is the Founder, President & CEO of Armand Resource Group, Inc. (ARG), a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in the design and implementation of Civil Rights, DBE/MBE/WBE/SBE, Title VI and Workforce Programs. With over 30 years of experience in Diversity and Inclusion program design and implementation, he leads ARG in its mission to assist in the design, innovation and implementation of programs to promote diversity and economic equality through the identification, utilization and development of disadvantaged businesses and human resources.
Under Mr. Jenifer’s leadership, ARG has designed and implemented comprehensive Civil Rights Programs for major capital projects, including Design Build, DBOM, CM/GC, Public Private Partnerships, and Turnkey projects for various agencies nationwide. Mr. Jenifer is frequently sought after for diversity training and speaking engagements on key topics relevant to Civil Rights in the construction industry.
ARG’s proven track record has established continuous working relationships with agencies nationwide, including New York City Department of Transportation, New York State Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ TRANSIT, Denver Regional Transportation District, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority, Charlotte Area Transit System, Maryland Department of Transportation, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Maryland Transportation Authority, Maryland State Highway Administration, Ohio Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Transportation, Hampton Roads Transit, Greater Cleveland Regional Transportation District, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Puerto Rico Highway & Transportation Authority, St. Louis Metro, Seattle Department of Transportation, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, City and County of Denver, City of Philadelphia, and Port of Portland, to name a few.
Mr. Jenifer is a Master Compliance Administrator (MCA) and a board member of the American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA).
Phillip A. Washington
Chief Executive Officer
Denver International Airport;Co-Chair the Equity in Infrastructure Project
Phillip A. Washington is the Chief Executive Officer at the Denver International Airport, the country’s 3rd busiest airport and the world’s 7th busiest airport by passengers. He previously served as CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority from March 2015 to May 2021, where he oversaw the largest modern public works program in North America. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army in 2000, where he held the highest non-commissioned officer rank of Command Sergeant Major, Phil advanced within the Denver Regional Transit District and served as its CEO from 2009 to 2015. Phil co-chaired the Biden/Harris Infrastructure Policy Committee in 2020 and 2021 and later led the Transportation Transition Teams as Captain. In August 2023, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appointed Phil to serve on the Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity.
Lourdes Zapata
MTA Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Lourdes Zapata serves as the MTA Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, after leading the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, locally known as SoBro.
As the MTA’s CDIO, Zapata is charged with ensuring equitable access to economic opportunities for Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and eliminating barriers to their participation in obtaining MTA contracts and supporting equal opportunity for MTA employees.
Prior to joining SoBro, Zapata was appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo as Chief Diversity Officer for the State of New York, where she was engaged in policy and program development to increase the participation of women and people of color in all areas of State government. She also served the State as Executive Vice President of the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development at Empire State Development. Her responsibilities included the development and oversight of statewide MWBE procurement policy as required by Article 15A of the Executive Law. She oversaw the Division’s certification, compliance and business development activities, and worked with State Commissioners and the Legislature on matters affecting the MWBE community. Her public service also extends to her earlier tenure as Community Development Director for the City of Newburgh in Orange County.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Zapata received her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University and her Bachelor’s Degree from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.
Decarbonizing Infrastructure: Aggressive Targets, Ambitious Projects
New York and New Jersey both have forward-looking carbon-reduction programs that will lead to more sustainable practices in the design and construction of infrastructure. In New York, the Climate Act calls for reducing carbon emissions 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050. Last year New Jersey enacted one of the most aggressive but market-driven laws in the U.S. to reduce embodied carbon in construction materials, including concrete. Projects impacted range from transit work to energy to water improvements—in addition to major efforts in the buildings sector. During this panel discussion, learn how these laws and policy changes relate to current and future design and construction.
Moderator
Rick Bell
Acting Director,
Center for Buildings, Infrastructure and Public Space, Columbia University, New York City
Rick Bell currently heads the Center for Buildings, Infrastructure and Public Space at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science where he is an Adjunct Associate Professor. He previously served as Executive Director of Design and Construction Excellence and Assistant Commissioner for Architecture and Engineering at the NYC Dept. of Design and Construction. On leave from DDC, Rick also worked as Executive Director of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects where he was instrumental in creating and animating the Center for Architecture on LaGuardia Place. A Fellow of the AIA, he is immediate past president of the Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization, holds degrees from Yale and Columbia and was named an ENR Top 25 Newsmaker for 2002
Panelists
Lauren Alger
National Director of Sustainable Design,
STV
Lauren Alger, the National Director of Sustainable Design at STV, is a civil engineer experienced in supporting LEED-certified and Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) award-winning projects. Lauren promotes sustainable design practices with a focus on greenhouse gas emission analyses and reduction efforts, while working closely with STV’s Digital Advisory teams to develop tools and processes to effectively measure, track and reduce emissions within project designs. As a member of SE 2050, the ASCE-SEI commitment to reduce embodied carbon within structural systems of buildings, Lauren launched ASCE Infrastructure 2050 which expands the scope to prioritize various infrastructure systems.
Zoe Baldwin
Vice President, State Programs,
Regional Plan Association
Zoe Baldwin works to expand the efforts of the Regional Plan Association (RPA), an independent, not-for-profit regional growth planning organization that focuses on improved quality of life, community resilience and economic competitiveness of a 31-county New York–New Jersey–Connecticut area that also builds support for a stronger, more connected region. She also leads research, planning, and advocacy activities in her home state of New Jersey.
Zoe has more than 20 years of experience in public policy at the state and federal levels. Before joining RPA, she was Director of Government Affairs for the Utility & Transportation Contractors Association where she advocated for increased federal and state investment in water and transportation systems, and for greater transparency and efficiency in public procurement. Zoe also served as Projects Director for U.S. Senator Cory Booker and as Senior Specialist for Transportation and Environment for U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, and had roles as in infrastructure policy as the New Jersey Advocate for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and as the Legislative Director for NJ State Senator Loretta Weinberg.
Anthony Fiore
Chief Program Officer
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
In this role at NYSERDA since early 2023, Anthony leads the agency’s program and market assessment strategy to meet goals of New York state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and execute on its Climate Action Council Scoping Plan–the framework for how the state will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions, increase renewable energy use and ensure all communities equitably benefit in the clean energy transition.
Anthony most recently served as Chief Decarbonization Officer for the City of New York—responsible for overall management of carbon emissions from government operations and competitive grant programs related to energy efficiency, innovative technology development, distributed clean energy generation, large-scale renewable energy development, energy supply contracting and workforce development.
Prior to this role, he was city Director of Energy Regulatory affairs, its primary energy policy advocate before public agencies. Anthony also has extensive knowledge in water quality, environmental health and safety, engineering and operations, and restructuring of revenue collection operations.
Anthony has served on energy related boards and committees, including the Northeast Deep Decarbonization Pathway Advisory Committee, NY Smart Grid Consortium Board, NYC Building Sustainability Board and Pathways to Carbon Neutral NYC Technical Advisory Committee. He holds a B.S. degree in biological sciences from Binghamton University, and a Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University with a concentration in Environmental Health Sciences.
Sofía Zuberbühler-Yafar
Assistant Commissioner of Sustainability & Urban Design
NYC Department of Design and Construction
Sofía Zuberbühler-Yafar, RLA, ENV SP is a registered Landscape Architect with a Masters in Urban Design and has over 24 years of varied experience with the planning, design and construction management of public/private built environment projects. Presently, Sofía is Assistant Commissioner of Sustainability & Urban Design at the NYC Department of Design and Construction. She leads the Infrastructure Division’s integration of climate readiness, sustainability, resiliency and equity. In addition, she oversees the agency’s multimillion dollar green infrastructure and cloudburst management capital design contracts. Sofía is on the Envision Review Board with the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure and is part of several other NYC sustainability task forces.
Transforming Infrastructure: The Power of Artificial Intelligence
Join us for an insightful exploration into the transformative role that artificial intelligence is playing in reshaping infrastructure development. From transportation to energy, water and urban planning, AI is dramatically changing how we conceive, construct and manage critical systems. The discussion will cover the potential of AI to optimize infrastructure performance, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation. Discover how AI-driven algorithms and predictive analytics can boost efficiency and reduce cost while exploring optimal approaches to assess risk mitigation techniques when integrating AI into our methods of working, building, and communicating.
Mara Johnston
Co-founder and Managing Principal
Keystone Global
Lunchtable Host
Mara Johnston is co-owner and managing principal at Keystone Global, a boutique advisory firm and investment bank. Mara advises clients on strategic growth opportunities through M&A, key personnel identification or growing into new markets and regions. Mara is also the co-founder and partner at Amaracon Testing & Inspections, LLC. Amaracon provides streamlined materials and environmental testing, engineering, and inspections services for projects and the needs of contractors and works on pivotal infrastructure projects such as Kew Gardens Interchange, LIRR Third Track, and East Coast Resiliency. She was selected for the National Top 20 Under 40 from ENR in 2022, 20 Under 40 NY by Professional Women in Construction in 2021 and Women Builders Council Emerging Leaders in 2017. She has a BA in the Growth and Structure of Cities from Bryn Mawr College and holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in City and Regional Planning with a focus on transportation and infrastructure.
Jonson Berman
Senior Associate and Sustainability Lead
Suffolk Technologies
Special Guest
Jonson Berman is an early-stage investor at Suffolk Technologies. He works on early-stage investments, with a focus on companies creating better, faster, and cheaper solutions that are also more sustainable.
Prior to Suffolk Technologies, Jonson spent 5 years at a multi-billion family office where he focused on venture capital and sustainable infrastructure investing. While there, he also started and helped raised the firms first dedicated Climate-Tech venture fund. Jonson started his career at scrappy management consulting firm, OGx. He had the chance to work on transformational projects for a large public transportation agency focused on how they made technology investments.
Jonson holds a BA Physics and a Minor In Molecular Engineering from the University of Chicago. While at UChicago, Jonson kept his community caffeinated as an on-campus barista, published research on quantum electronics in Nature, and was a member of the Varsity Crew team.
Setting Up Major Programs for Success
To improve the likelihood of success of Major Infrastructure Projects, industry professionals must identify essential strategies for effective program initiation and mobilization. This discussion delves into critical factors influencing success, including aspects of delivery ecosystem, robust governance, effective delivery strategies, and organizational alignment.
Rohit Motwani
Program Initiation Lead, Americas East,
Jacobs
Lunchtable Host
Rohit Motwani, Program Initiation Lead at Jacobs for Americas East, is a key contributor to the successful delivery of Global Major programs in the infrastructure sector. With a solid academic background from Carnegie Mellon and UCL, Rohit seamlessly merges academic insights with hands-on delivery experience on some of North America's largest infrastructure projects. In his role, Rohit focuses on major program initiation, employing a strategic vision for success in both conception and execution phases of megaprojects. Collaborating with cross-sector clients at Jacobs, he specializes in program controls, delivery strategy, and program management in the major programs domain. Rohit's leadership is marked by a proactive and collaborative approach, dedicated to achieving delivery excellence in critical infrastructure projects. His commitment to continuous improvement is evident in his achievements and problem-solving skills, reflecting a blend of leadership and strategic vision.
Building Faster in NYC using Alternative Project Delivery
Design-build has fundamentally changed NYC Department of Design and Construction’s ability to deliver major new buildings and certain types of infrastructure, fostering collaboration and shaving years off the schedule of a typical project. Explore the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of this project delivery tool and trade lessons learned to help us deliver projects to the public faster.
Yvi McEvilly
Assistant Commissioner
Design-Build Unit, New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC)
Lunchtable Host
Yvi McEvilly is the Assistant Commissioner of the Design-Build Unit at the New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC). She is a licensed landscape architect and expert in delivering capital projects in New York City’s complicated construction environment with 19 years of experience managing public projects from multiple vantage points within the private, non-profit, and government sectors. At NYCDDC, Yvi leads the agency’s program for alternative project delivery and is expanding the design-build portfolio for public buildings and infrastructure. Prior to NYCDDC, Yvi was a Vice President at New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) where she supervised a $500+M portfolio of waterfront, public building, open space, and infrastructure projects. Before NYCEDC, she was Director of Design at the environmental non-profit New York Restoration Project and a project manager at Ken Smith Landscape Architect. In 2023 she completed the rigorous Coro Leadership New York program. She holds a B.S. in Architecture and a M. Arch from the University of Virginia.
Climate Transition Risk & Opportunity Strategy
Public infrastructure agencies have an opportunity to identify and strategize for risks stemming from the climate transition – but the time to act is now. Agencies should prioritize building actionable strategies that chart a path forward for sustainability & resilience, while working in close partnership with the broader community of infrastructure service providers.
Parth Doshi
Managing Director and Partner
BCG New York
Lunchtable Host
Parth is a Managing Director and Partner in BCG’s New York office, and leads the Infrastructure and Transportation business with Public Sector clients in the US. He brings deep expertise in operational topics for transportation agencies, leading recent work with multiple NY/NJ transportation agencies at both the state and local levels. He has worked in BCG’s New York, Chicago, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur offices, and holds degrees in Finance, Management and Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Macky McCleary
Partner
BCG Boston
Special Guest
Macky McCleary is a Partner in BCG’s Boston office, and a leader in their Energy, Utilities and Climate & Sustainability practice areas. His primary focus is delivering large-scale transformations involving infrastructure development, grid modernization, utility business models, smart cities, clean tech & renewable energy. Prior to BCG, Macky led Rhode Island’s Division of Public Utilities and Carries, overseeing regulations on water, electricity, and sewer systems; served as the Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Quality for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; and co-founded a start-up clean energy and green building development company, EmPower Solar. He has a BA and Masters in Architecture from Yale.
Contractor Diversity is Key To Meet the Region’s Infrastructure Needs
Join the conversation about the wide range of opportunities in the region for minority and women-owned firms, disadvantaged business enterprises and small businesses to help meet growing infrastructure needs.
Designing and Building Successful Climate Resilience Projects in New Jersey
Join this conversation to gain an update on New Jersey's efforts to bolster its infrastructure resilience, particularly through Rebuild by Design projects and major ongoing coastal protection initiatives launched in response to devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. These efforts aim to enhance the state's ability to withstand future climate-related events through innovative design, robust engineering, environmental justice goals and community engagement.
Dennis Reinknecht,
Director of Resilience Engineering and Construction
New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection
Roundtable Host
Dennis Reinknecht leads the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection’s Division of Resilience Engineering and Construction, with responsibilities that include coastal engineering, flood engineering and dam safety. He has 36 years of agency experience focused on climate change and flood resilience, project management, environmental remediation and construction oversight. Dennis holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and M.S. degrees in Environmental Science from NJIT and Rutgers University.
Bridge Resilience in the New York/New Jersey Region
Whether it be natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods or human-made ones either accidental or purposeful, what are we doing to help the region’s bridge infrastructure withstand or recover quickly from extreme events of the future? Hear from experts about not only engineering solutions but also the need to change our mindset about project delivery, streamlining processes, sharing risks appropriately and using life-cycle thinking to bring costs down. Solutions to these challenges will lead to more investment in essential projects and a pipeline of work in the years to come.
Moderator
Cathy Sheridan
President
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority
Cathy Sheridan has over thirty years of experience in the transportation industry and is currently the President of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, the largest bridge and tunnel authority in the United States. She manages nine iconic bridges and tunnels, linking the boroughs of New York City, and is implementing Manhattan’s congestion relief zone, the first of its kind in the nation. In 2023, TBTA broke records for traffic and revenue, with almost 1 million daily vehicle crossings and over $2.5 billion in revenue, all while reducing collisions and increasing enforcement of toll evasion. Cathy began her career at the New York State Department of Transportation as a seasonal construction inspector and rose to Chief Engineer of the New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Canal Corporation. As Chief Engineer of the Thruway Authority, she was an executive advisor for the $4 billion Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge design-build project. She joined the MTA at Construction & Development in 2019, and in 2021 became C&D’s Chief of Staff, where she was influential in the successful advancement of the MTA’s unprecedented $55 billion 5-year capital program and the opening of Grand Central Madison. Cathy is a Professional Engineer in New York State. She earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Music from Boston University. She also served in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer, reaching the rank of Captain. Cathy is a proud member of The Moles. In 2022, Crain’s New York Business named her one of 40 Notable Women in Construction, Design, and Architecture, and in 2023, she was named Woman of the Year by WTS of Greater New York.
Panelists
Rizwan Baig,
Chief Engineer
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Rizwan holds a Bachelor and a Master of Engineering in Civil and Transportation Engineering; and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the States of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In 1990, Rizwan began his career with the Port Authority as a Junior Engineer, and now serves as the Chief Engineer.
He is responsible of assuring the state of good repair of all Agency assets. He oversees the delivery of high-quality and cost-effective planning, architectural and engineering design, construction, and asset management services in support of the Agency’s Capital Program, while ensuring the structural integrity, life safety, and code compliance of all Agency facilities.
Throughout his career, Rizwan has demonstrated strong leadership ability by motivating staff and aligning resources to achieve project success, with a passion for envisioning creative and innovative engineering solutions, while creating a respectful, collaborative, and responsive workplace culture of belonging. As a proven transportation industry leader, he spearheaded coalition building with all business lines (Aviation, TBT, Ports, WTC, and PATH) and regional partners to ensure that critical Agency projects are planned and constructed in the most effective manner.
Jamey Barbas,
Project Director, Mario Cuomo Bridge, New York State Thruway Authority | Commissioner, Gateway Development Commission
Jamey Barbas, PE is the Project Director, charged with replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge in New York with the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge – one of the largest bridge projects in the US, on behalf of the New York State Thruway Authority.
A transformative senior executive with a career in the design and construction of major structures, she has held executive leadership positions in several international consulting firms. Her industry experience includes leadership of the strategic, operational and technical aspects for the delivery of major structures projects. A registered professional engineer with 35 years of experience in bridge and tunnel management, design, construction and inspection, she has special expertise on complex and long span bridges.
Barbas’ experience includes a number of award winning, domestic and international projects. She has led the inspection, design and construction support services for the reconstruction of the Williamsburg Bridge in NYC - one of the largest bridge reconstruction projects ever undertaken in the U.S. and led the design of the major bridges of the AutoRoute 30 project in Montreal, Canada - one of the largest P3 bridge projects in North America.
Barbas is a native New Yorker, graduate of Barnard College and the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. An author of numerous technical papers, Barbas was named by Engineering News Record as one of their top Newsmakers of 2004 for her work in providing an emergency solution to a failing historic suspension bridge. She was also recognized as one of ENR’s top Newsmakers of 2020 for devising an innovative strategy that helped avert the shutdown of a New York City subway line with significant cost savings and schedule reduction.
She is Commissioner of the Gateway Development Commission and has served in various organizations, such as Bridges to Prosperity, a non-profit organization that provides footbridges in rural communities to increase access to schools, health care and market. She served as the Special Advisor for Infrastructure to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Barbas is the recipient of several engineering and leadership awards, including ASCE’s prestigious John B. Jervis Award for 2018 and the Thomas Egleston Medal for distinguished engineering achievement.
Maria Lehman
U.S. Infrastructure Market Leader, GHD | Vice Chair, President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council | President Emeritus, ASCE
Maria Lehman, P.E, NAC, F.ASCE, ENV SP,. is GHD’s Infrastructure Market Leader for the United States, as well as a Principal and shareholder and serves on the company’s U.S. Board of Directors. Maria was the former Vice President for Critical Infrastructure for Parsons, COO and Acting Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority and Commissioner of Public Works for Erie County, NY. She has over 40 years of diverse, increasingly responsible, multi-disciplinary technical and leadership experience, both in the private and public sectors, and in traditional and alternative delivery. She received her BS in Civil Engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Magna Cum Laude, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in several states.
She has served as Project Executive, Program and Project Manager, and Project Engineer on more than 700 projects which required everything from scoping, planning, environmental studies, preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates, construction management and operations and maintenance; ranging in size from $10,000 to $3.9 billion, with specific focus on surface transportation.
Maria is the 2023 President of the American Society of Civil Engineers, with over 164,000 members in 177 countries. She is also the Vice Chair of President Biden’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council.
Maria has won numerous national, statewide and local awards including and the ASCE President’s Medal, National Edmund Friedman Young Engineer Award, State University of New York at Buffalo’s School of Engineering Alumna of the Year, New York Governor’s Award for Excellence in Business and the New York State Society of Professional Engineers Engineering Manager of the Year. In 2022, Maria was inducted into the National Academy of Construction.
Paul Schwartz,
Deputy Commissioner/Chief Bridge Officer, Division of Bridges
NYC DOT
In his role as Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Schwartz oversees all aspects of design, construction, rehabilitation and reconstruction, maintenance, operation and administration of the 799 bridges and 6 tunnels under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Transportation.
He is responsible for formulating policy and providing executive and administrative direction for the Division of Bridges with a team of nearly 650 engineers, technicians, tradespeople, planners and administrators. He has served the Bridges Division for nearly 20 years having joined City DOT in the fall of 2002.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University, College of Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New York. .
Currently there are over two dozen bridge and tunnel projects in various stages of design and well over $2 billion worth of construction projects in progress.
Agency Overview
Amtrak: Rebuilding the Northeast Corridor
With a major infusion of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Amtrak is rebuilding the Northeast Corridor for a new generation of passenger rail. Billions of dollars’ worth of improvements are slated for the New York/New Jersey region including major projects such as East River Tunnel Rehabilitation, Sawtooth Bridges, and others advancing through the project pipeline. Amtrak VP for Infrastructure Project Delivery Jay Sankar will provide an update on these and other major investments that are helping to shape the future of the NEC.
Speaker
Jaidev Sankar
Vice President of Infrastructure Project Delivery
Capital Delivery Group at Amtrak.
Jaidev (Jay) Sankar is Vice President of Infrastructure Project Delivery within the Capital Delivery Group at Amtrak.
Jay has a 30-year career in heavy civil and transit project delivery. He has been fortunate to have been part of the teams that delivered the Boston Central Artery/Tunnel project, Tren Urbano in San Juan Puerto Rico, the Second Avenue Subway project in New York and the Penn Station Access project.
His Infrastructure project Delivery team manages and supports the delivery of:
- Portal North Bridge
- Hudson Tunnel Program including Hudson Yards Casing and Systems Projects
- Major NY Projects including the East River Tunnels Rehabilitation Project
- Susquehanna River Rail Bridge and Connecticut River Bridge
- Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program in Baltimore
- Infrastructure Renewal Program including key projects to maintain the railroad in a State of Good Repair
Agency Overview
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Responding to the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse
This presentation will focus on the critical role played by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the response and recovery efforts following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. McTighe will discuss the immediate actions taken to stabilize the situation, the engineering challenges encountered and the strategies implemented to restore the vital federal navigation channel. He will also highlight the importance of partnerships with industry in executing these operations, emphasizing how collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for successful disaster recovery and helps ensure the resilience of the nation's infrastructure.
Speaker
Col. Robert M. McTighe
Deputy Commander,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division
Colonel Robert M. McTighe was assigned as the deputy commander of the North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers July 5, 2023. McTighe’s previous operational assignments began at Fort Drum, New York, from 2002–05, where as a Sapper platoon leader he deployed with the 2-14th Infantry in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After departing Fort Drum, he was assigned as a senior observer controller–trainer at Devens, Massachusetts, in a Training Support Battalion preparing the reserve component for worldwide deployments. In 2008, he was reassigned to Fort Drum and immediately deployed with the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters to Iraq. While deployed, he assumed command of the division’s Headquarters Support Company.
Upon completion of company command, McTighe served from 2010-12 in Garmisch, Germany, at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies as operations officer and facility engineer. He next served at Fort Carson, Colorado, from 2013-16, beginning with a deployment to Afghanistan with the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters. While deployed, he served as a Transition Team operations officer for both the Afghan Army and Uruzgan Provincial Police. Upon redeployment, he served as the brigade planner in the 1st Stryker Brigade and then as the 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion operations and executive officer. From there, he returned overseas to Wiesbaden, Germany, where he served in the U.S. Army Europe Headquarters and held positions as the engineer operations officer and chief of construction. McTighe then assumed command of the 1-310th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 181st Multifunctional Training Brigade, soon after attending the Army War College before arriving at NAD to serve as the deputy commander.
McTighe holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Arts in public administration from Webster University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military awards and decorations include: the Airborne Badge and Sapper Tab; the NATO Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Iraqi and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and three Bronze Star Medals. His unit awards include two Army Meritorious Unit Citation Awards. He has also received the Engineer Regimental Award and the Bronze Order of the DeFleury Medal.
Opening Address
Future-Proofing New York City Infrastructure
Our region is shaped by systems that New Yorkers rely on, every day. We need to not only maintain a state of good repair but also modernize vulnerable facilities and meet the demands of climate change. Generational investments across our region mean that our collective approach to scaling delivery is more important than ever. New York City’s Chief Infrastructure Officer talks about design thinking for our 21st century public works.
Speaker
Alison N. Landry
AIA, Chief Infrastructure Officer, Office of the Deputy Mayor of Operations, New York City
Alison Landry is a licensed architect who provides leadership for capital project initiatives. As the recently appointed Chief Infrastructure Officer to New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Operations, she works to modernize the city’s capital processes and improve our built environment, ensuring reliable operations, expanded resiliency, and dynamic communities. Alison previously served as Associate Commissioner for Alternative Delivery at the New York City Department of Design and Construction, where she was responsible for implementation of a pilot design-build program for streamlined, quality projects. As part of the City’s Covid-19 emergency response, she led a team that built critical healthcare facilities including temporary hospitals and three permanent Centers of Excellence clinics with an incredibly accelerated schedule. She has also served as a Vice President in the Capital Program at NYCEDC and worked previously on public sector projects as an associate at Handel Architects.
The $16B Hudson River Tunnels Program: A Live Critical Path Podcast
In ENR’s first-ever on-stage, live podcast, ENR Deputy Editor for Infrastructure Aileen Cho will chat with the Gateway Program’s Jim Morrison about the challenges of building a new pair of tunnels under the Hudson River—including the long struggle to get there and the opportunities for industry.
Moderator
Aileen Cho,
Senior Transportation Editor,
Engineering News-Record
Aileen Cho has covered transportation for over 25 years for Engineering News-Record where she is a senior editor. Her coverage of airports, ports, transit and rail, and roads and bridges have garnered various awards from business publication and engineering societies. She has been published in the Los Angeles Times and New York Times
Special Guest
James Morrison,
Senior Technical Advisor
Gateway Development Commission
James A Morrison is currently Senior Technical Advisor for the Gateway Development Commission overseeing all technical aspects of the Hudson Tunnel Project, which will replace the 113 year old rail connection between New York and New Jersey, which also links the Northeast Corridor between Washington D.C. and Boston, with two new tubes that cover four and a half miles each, and fully rehabilitate the existing tunnel.
Jim brings over 40 years of engineering and construction experience incorporating a broad range of projects including transit, tunnels, bridges, dams, hydroelectric, marine construction highways, deep excavations, transportation, water/sewer systems, and environmental management. As a leader, Jim has managed all aspects of project execution and delivery, with strong expertise in design-build projects. Jim has led expert technical review teams, design teams, quality review teams, forensic evaluation teams, expert panel review teams responsible for both quality assurance and forensic troubleshooting, and actively participates on Dispute Review Boards.
Jim most recently served as Vice President and Engineering Chief for STV Inc., assisting in the development and expansion of STV’s geotechnical and tunneling practice throughout North America.
As CEO and Managing Director of ILF-USA, Jim was responsible for all aspects of ILF business with offices in Reston VA, Traverse City MI, Denver CO, and Seattle WA. He also served the ILF Corporation as technical practice lead for tunnels and hydropower projects thorough North America. Jim negotiated and led the successful acquisition of ILF-USA assets by COWI in 2018 and served COWI as a vice president and technical lead.
As Engineering Services Manager for Kiewit, Jim worked extensively with Kiewit Senior Management on the development and execution of a broad range of projects and was responsible for creating a team of 75 engineers providing engineering support for construction operations, and development and oversight of consultant engineering teams for alternate delivery projects. He also served as Corporate Geotechnical Manager, advising senior management on risk related matters, disputes resolution team coordination, and design-build team development. Jim was also responsible for developing corporate policy for the design and execution of temporary structures used in construction, and training future leaders though Kiewit University on design policy, temporary structures, geotechnical risk management, and other elements.
Jim has served as a member of dispute resolution boards on several major tunnel construction projects across North America and as an expert witness on a variety of projects including pipelines, marine work, government facilities construction, and transportation earthwork projects
Jim has written numerous technical papers and has presented keynote addresses to technical conferences around the world. Current publications include Contributing author for the 3rd edition of ASCE Geotechnical Baselines for Construction released in 2023. He has served as President for Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) and both the Cleveland, Ohio Section and Northwest Michigan Branch of ASCE.