Infrastructure Forum Agenda
April 22, 2026
AGENDA:
8:00 – 9:00am | Registration, Breakfast, and Networking
9:00 – 9:10am | Overview of Program Agenda / Safety Moment
Patrick J. Natale, PE, Dist.M.ASCE, NAC, F.NSPE, F.ASME, FASAE, Executive Director, the United Engineering Foundation and Member, Foundation Board of Directors, NJIT
9:10 - 9:15am | Welcome to NJIT
Dr. Teik C. Lim, President, NJIT
9:15 – 9:30am | Keynote Speaker #1
“Industry Perspective: The Benefits of an Engaged Relationship between Industry and NJIT”
Nick DeNichilo, PE, Vice Co-Chair, Board of Trustees, NJIT and Former CEO, Mott McDonald
9:30 – 10:00am | Keynote Speaker #2
“The Critical Need for Investment in Infrastructure: 2025 ASCE Report Card for America’s Infrastructure”
Maria C. Lehman, PE, NAE, NAC, NIAC, ASCE 2023 President, ENV SP, F.ASCE, Interim Executive Director, ASCE
10:00 – 10:15am | Legislative Perspective #1: Transportation Sector
Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, Deputy Speaker, New Jersey General Assembly, 36th Legislative District
10:15 – 10:30am | Break
10:30 – 11:30am | Panel #1: Transportation Agencies
“Resource Challenges and Technological Advancements”
Moderator: Senator Paul A. Sarlo, PE, PP, President and CEO, Joseph M Sanzari, Inc. and Senator, State of New Jersey, 36th Legislative District
Panelists:
- Priya Jain, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Transportation
- Rizwan Baig, P.E., Chief Engineer, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- Kris Kolluri, President and CEO, NJ TRANSIT and Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority
11:30am – 12:15pm | Keynote Speaker #3
“Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Risks”
Lucian Niemeyer, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense, Former White House Official, CEO Building Cyber Security
12:15 – 1:00pm | Networking Lunch
1:00 – 1:15pm | Legislative Perspective #2: Water and Energy
Senator Andrew Zwicker, Chairman, Senate Legislative Oversight Committee
1:15 – 2:00pm | Panel #2: Utilities – Water and Energy
“Resource Challenges and Technological Advancements”
Moderator: Richard Calbi, Jr., PE, Director of Municipal Operations & Utilities, Ridgewood Water
Panelists:
- Jason Kalwa, Senior Director, Construction and Maintenance, PSE&G
- Ali Pajooman, Senior PFAS Program Manager, Veolia North America
- Thomas A. Laustsen, PE, BCEE, PMP, COO, Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission
- Jim Mueller, Executive Director, Passaic Valley Water Commission
2:00 – 2:45pm | Panel #3: Architects and Engineers
“Emerging Technologies”
Moderator: Gary Dahms, P.E., P.P., C.M.E., President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, T&M Associates and Member, Board of Trustees, NJIT
Panelists:
- Kim Vierheilig, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, President – Buildings, STV’s National Buildings Group and Member, Board of Trustees, NJIT
- Kevin L. Haney, President and CEO, Colliers Engineering & Design
- Steve Hoyt, Associate Vice President, Office Director, Pennoni
- Áine O’Dwyer, PE, Principal, CEO, Enovate Consulting
2:45 – 3:30pm | Panel #4: Construction Leaders
“Advancing Innovation in Construction”
Moderator: Andrew Christ, P.E., Senior Vice President of University Operations, NJIT
Panelists:
- Ken Colao, Founder, President and CEO, CNY Group and Co-Executive Vice Chair, Foundation Board of Directors, NJIT
- Jhonatan Ocampo, PANJ Regional Innovation Champion, Turner Construction
- Brian D. Senyk, Vice President/Chief Engineer, Terminal Construction Corporation
- Stephen Neeson, Senior Vice President Technical Operations, STO Building Group
3:30 – 4:30pm | Panel #5: Academia
“Technological Advancements from Academia”
Moderator: Dr. John Pelesko, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, NJIT
Panelists:
- Dr. Michel Boufadel, PE, Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering, John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Center for Natural Resources, NJIT
- Dr. Matthew P. Adams, Associate Professor, John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Co-Director, Materials and Structures Laboratory, NJIT
- Dr. Branislav Dimitrijevic, Associate Professor, John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NJIT
- Dr. Patrick Borges Rodrigues, Assistant Professor, John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NJIT
- Gernot Riether, Associate Professor, New Jersey School of Architecture and Chair, New Jersey School of Architecture
4:30 – 4:45pm | Presentation: Professional Services at NJIT
Dr. John Pelesko, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, NJIT
4:45 – 5:00pm | Closing Remarks
Patrick J. Natale, PE, Dist.M.ASCE, NAC, F.NSPE, F.ASME, FASAE, Executive Director, the United Engineering Foundation and Member, Foundation Board of Directors, NJIT
Alan Kelly, CFRE, Senior Vice President of University Advancement, NJIT and President, NJIT Foundation
5:00 – 6:30pm | Networking Reception & Showcase Exhibitions