Join us as we honor these people and organizations on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. at the Robert Meyner Reception Center at PNC Bank Arts Center,

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECT The Miracle on I-287 - Rebuild after Hurricane Irene IEW Construction Della Pello Contracting, Inc. J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. Denville Line Painting Hatch Mott MacDonald Tilcon NJ PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP New Dormitory at Montclair State Univ. Montclair State University Provident Resources Group Capstone Development Terminal Construction Corporation UTILITY PROJECT Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant    NJ American Water CDM

HEALTH CARE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro and Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell     Princeton Health Care System Turner Construction Company Capital Health Regional Medical Center Skanska USA SOUTH JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT  Construction of Revel Casino in Atlantic City Revel Entertainment Group Tishman Construction Group To Register Go Here

At the 27th annual Construction Forecast Seminar attended by over 200 business, labor, construction and professionals on Thursday, November 3rd, the total projected public and private construction activity for 2012 and 2013 totaled $26.6 billion. Similar two year construction estimates made at the Forecast Seminar held last year totaled $22.5 billion.

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said in light of the current economic downturn he was pleased with the numbers reported, in comparison to the 30% decline reported at last year’s seminar. He cautioned however that decisions to be made in Washington---particularly involving transportation, healthcare and civil works projects---could affect the construction projections made today. Beachem stressed that the Alliance continues to work with the Christie Administration and the Legislative leadership on a series of recommendations the Alliance developed to jumpstart New Jersey’s construction economy.

Positive highlights of the seminar’s presentations came from increases in capital projects made by a number of the state’s independent authorities and government agencies. These included: the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Department of Transportation and NJ Turnpike Authority.

From the private sector, some of the major construction estimates came from NJ Utilities and New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties.

Beachem noted that these numbers did not include numbers from the New Jersey Pharmaceutical industry since data is currently incomplete. He noted however that several positive projects are moving forward, such as the $215 million new headquarters of Novo Nordisk in Plainsboro and the announcement by Bayer Healthcare to consolidate their northeast operations in Hanover Township.

To review the Construction Forecast Chart, Go Here.

Featuring Corporate Executives from:

Dennis Bone President Verizon New Jersey Ralph LaRossa President & CEO Public Service Electric & Gas Vincent Maione President Atlantic City Electric Dennis Ciemniecki President Regulated Business at United Wa To register Go Here.	Suzanne Chiavari Vice President NJ American Water Charles F. Dippo, PE Vice President, Engineering Services & System Integrity South Jersey Gas Company Francis W. Peverly Vice President of Operations Rockland Electric Company Ed Gonzalez Project Director, NY-NJ Pipeline Extension Spectra Energy Company

NJ BIZ has called the N.J. Alliance for Action’s dinner
"One of New Jersey’s Top Networking Events".

This year’s recipients are:
Ellis S. Vieser Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard Sambol
Richard Sambol has had a distinguished career in both business and civic affairs. As President and CEO of Sambol Construction, a firm he founded some 55 years ago, Dick has seen the firm grow and expand into one of New Jersey’s premier construction companies. His business involvement has been complimented by his long support of numerous civic and social causes. He is Past Chairman of Ocean County College, Trustee Emeritus of Monmouth University, past President of Ocean County Council of Boys Scouts of America and founder of Metedeconk National Golf Course.

Sigurd Lucassen Labor Award
Thomas P. Giblin
Business Manager-Local 68, International Union of Operating Engineers
Tom Giblin, has had a long and remarkable career as a New Jersey labor leader and as an elected representative serving as a Essex County Freeholder and currently as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly. Mr. Giblin is Business Manager of the 5,800 member Local 68 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO, representing stationary engineers and building maintenance mechanics throughout the State.

Richard M. Hale Chairman’s Award
Robert V. Gamba
Chief Executive Officer
Prismatic Development Corporation
Robert Gamba serves as Chief Executive officer of Prismatic Development Corporation one of New Jersey’s leading heavy construction firms. Under his leadership, Prismatic has emerged as a leader in highly sophisticated public and private building projects. Bob is a member of the Building Contractors Association and a Director of the Clara Maass Hospital Foundation.

President’s Award
Robert Garrett
President & CEO Hackensack University Medical Center
Bob Garrett was named President and CEO of Hackensack University Medical Center in 2009. Since that time he has overseen the growth of the Medical Center with the opening of the John Theurer Cancer Center, the development of the Heart & Vascular Hospital within the Medical Center and major expansion and renovation plans. He has developed partnerships with key constituents both internally and externally that has earned him recognition as one of the 50 Most Powerful People in New Jersey Healthcare by NJBIZ.

Dr. John L. Buzzi Engineering Excellence Award
Peter Zipf
Chief Engineer
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
As chief engineer and director of Engineering at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Mr. Zipf is responsible for the design, structural integrity and construction of the Port Authority’s facilities including airports, bridges, terminals, ports, tunnels and the PATH system. Throughout his 25 years of service at the Port Authority, Peter has worked on numerous projects which have benefited the entire Bi-State region.

Individual Recognition Award
Joseph Balzano
Joe Balzano’s lifetime of efforts to promote economic prosperity, particularly in South Jersey and the Delaware Valley Region has had a remarkable impact on the citizens of New Jersey. The Alliance for Action salutes Joe with an individual recognition award for his dedication and commitment to the citizens and businesses of South Jersey.

New Jersey's County Improvement Authorities have significantly  contributed to improvements that enhance the quality of life for New Jersey residents.  This includes major investments in infrastructure improvements throughout the state.  

In recognition of their efforts, the New Jersey Alliance for Action will be presenting special recognition awards to the Chairperson and Executive Director of each Authority.  Please join us to show your support for the important role that county improvement authorities play in New Jersey.  

Confirmed to attend the meeting are:  

BERGEN COUNTY
Robert Garrison, Executive Director

CAMDEN  COUNTY
James Blanda, Executive Director  

HUDSON COUNTY
Kurt Cherry, Executive Director & CFO
John Shinnick, Chairman
Norman Guerra, Chief Executive Officer

MERCER COUNTY
Phillip Miller, Executive Director
John Thurber, Chairman
Anthony Verrelli, Vice Chair

MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Leonard J. Roseman, Chairman  

MONMOUTH COUNTY
Al Rosenthal, Chairman  

PASSAIC COUNTY
Nicole Fox, Executive Director
Dennis Marco, Chairman

SALEM COUNTY
Deborah Turner-Fox, Executive Director
Michael Burke - Chairman

SOMERVILLE COUNTY
Matthew Loper, Secretary

UNION COUNTY 
Anthony R. Scutari, Chairman

If you are interested in being recognized as part of the Host Committee contact Jerry Keenan at 732) 225-1180 or click here to email him.   

To register Go Here.  

As Alliance President Philip K. Beachem pointed out, the 500-plus audience in Trenton included representatives of virtually every organization in the state involved in or affected by Transportation.

The outstanding lineup of transportation leadership who participated, in addition to the Governor included State Transportation Commissioner James Simpson, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman David Samson, NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein and for business and labor, State Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Bracken and Raymond Pocino, Eastern Regional Manager of the Laborers International Union.

Christie declared that transportation is critical to New Jersey’s economic revival, future prosperity and quality of life.

The Governor reviewed his proposed $8 billion five-year capital plan for transportation, asserting it can be accomplished with decreasing reliance on debt. Among major projects he cited are raising the height of the Bayonne Bridge to accommodate the larger cargo vessels expected after the enlarged Panama Canal opens in 2014, renewing the crumbling Pulaski Skyway, and continuing widening of the New Jersey Turnpike.

The Governor said he agrees that better rail access is vital between New Jersey and New York. He said “we stand ready to contribute as long as New York State and City will also contribute and New Jersey is not required to accept a blank check and a bad deal.”

State DOT Commissioner Simpson called for a transportation system that puts safety first, stresses a state of good repair, reduces congestion utilizing technology, and provides expansion only where absolutely necessary,

Weinstein said NJ TRANSIT is committed to a performance measured initiative, or “scoreboard.” He reviewed plans for a $22 million “smart bus” technology project, a link between the Riverline and Atlantic City rail service and $120 million restoration of trans-Hudson ferry service.

Samson hailed the Port Authority approval of the long needed $1 billion Bayonne Bridge raising warning that a number of other coast ports are aggressively competing for cargo business.

Bracken and Pocino demonstrated the business-labor agreement on key economic issues that the Alliance uniquely fosters. Bracken expressed support by the business community of the Governor’s five-year capital transportation plan. Pocino declared that transportation improvements represent “an investment for New Jersey’s future life and competiveness.”

The dinner will be held at Tavistock Country Club in Haddonfield, with a reception at 5:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Entitled "Building a Healthy New Jersey, " this conference will be held at the Trenton Marriott Conference Center with registration at 8:00 a.m. and the program at 9:00 a.m.

Special comments on the economic impact of health care capital construction will be given from Governor Christie’s Senior Policy Advisor Jim Leonard.

The keynote speaker will be Tom Biga, Chairman of the New Jersey Hospital Association. Reports will be presented by:

• Joseph W. Devine, Senior Vice President, Kennedy Health System, on the System's $100 million capital plan.
• Greg Dunlap, Director – Large Customer Support, PSE&G Marketing & Account Management will discuss the Utility’s Health Care Capital Construction Financing Program.
• Gustav E. Escher, III, Vice Chairman, New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority will provide details on projects being funded by the Authority
• Rich McGreal, Director of the Northeast Region, Merck Global Engineering Services, on Merck's $150 million Kenilworth Construction program and other capital plans.
• Dean Paranicas, President & CEO, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, Inc.
• Steven Schwarz, Director of Projects, Torcon, Inc.
• Mark Sparta, Vice President of Operations, Hackensack University Medical Center, about expansion of the North Campus (Pascack Valley Hospital) and the next phase of it's Heart & Vascular Hospital construction and Cancer Center.

• Edwin Albarran, Partner, Saphire & Albarran Architecture, LLC
• Clare Broderick, Chief Operating Office, Birdsall Services Group – MJA
• Jeffrey Brown, Esq., Partner, Garfunkel Wild, P.C.
• Terrence McCarty, Senior Vice President/Division Head Healthcare Financial Services-NJ, TD Bank

  Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said the Summit will provide a first-hand opportunity to hear from the Governor what his funding plan means for the State's in safety, jobs, economy and mobility.

The Summit will be held at the Trenton Marriott Conference Center, Trenton. Registration will begin at 12:30 P.M. and the program at 1:15 P.M.

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Each County Engineer received a plaque from Alliance President Philip K. Beachem “in recognition of intelligent pursuit in discharging the daily responsibilities of your demanding service to the residents of your county.”

Alliance Chairman George Laufenberg commended the Engineers for “keeping in good repair thousands of miles of roads and bridges and environmental infrastructure.”

A report on the importance of county transportation systems was given by Monmouth County Engineer Joe Ettore and former Monmouth County Engineer Michael Barrett, who is a consultant to the New Jersey State Association of County Engineers (NJSACE).

They noted that 50 percent of all county bridges are on municipal roads. County lane miles equal State lane miles. County roads carry half of the traffic carried on State roads. County roads carry three times the traffic per center line mile compared to Municipal roads.

Beachem informed the group that the Alliance for Action is preparing a communications effort to inform and convince the public how critical infrastructure is the their lives and safety.

Those saluted at the event were: Atlantic County Engineer Joseph D’Abundo; Bergen County Engineer Joseph A. Femia and Freeholder John Mitchell; Burlington County Engineer Joseph Brickley; Camden County Engineer Ms. Kevin Becica and former Camden County Engineer Robert Kelly; Cape May County Engineer Dale Forster and Assistant County Engineer Kent Schellinger and Freeholder Daniel Beyel; Hudson County Assistant County Engineer Demetrio Arencibia; Hunterdon County Engineer James Martin; Mercer County Engineer Gregory Sandusky; Monmouth County Engineer Joseph Ettore and Freeholder Director John Curley; Morris County Engineer Stephen Hammond; Passaic County Engineer Steven Edmond and Freeholder Terry Duffy; Salem County Engineer Joseph Federici, Somerset County Engineer Matthew Loper, Administrator Michael J. Amorosa and Freeholder Peter Palmer; Sussex County Engineer Walter Cramp, former County Engineer Eric Grover and Freeholder Director Richard Zeoli; Union County Engineer Thomas C. Mineo; and Warren County Engineer David Hicks.