14th Annual Gala

For registration and sponsorship, email:

contactaaaea@gmail.com
Cc: suhail.albhaisi@aecom.com

Pay by Zelle

OR Send check to

AAAEA
586 Valley Rd
P.O.Box 3186
Wayne, NJ 07470

Guest Speakers:

Eric C. Macfarlane, PE

First Deputy Commissioner
New York City DDC

Eric C. Macfarlane leads a staff of 1200 at the New York City Department of Design and Construction, consisting of architects, engineers, project managers, administrators, and analysts. The agency is responsible for managing the design and construction of public buildings and street infrastructure for more than 25 city agencies. Currently DDC manages a Capital portfolio of more than 1000 projects in various, phases, from planning, design, and construction, valued at more than $24 billion. DDC also procures the services of many consultants for both design and construction management who provide supplementary assistance in the delivery of DDC’s annual capital projects commitment plan. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the City College of New York, and a Master of Science, Civil Engineering degree from Polytechnic Institute of New York (NYU-Tandon School of Engineering). He is a New York State licensed Professional Engineer.

Chief Engineer
Port Authority NY/NJ

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.

Rizwan Baig, PE

Honorees:

  • Michel Boufadel, PhD

    Distinguished Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
    NJIT

    Expert in water technology and resources. Provided solutions to major oil spills in the USA (Exxon Valdez and BP Spill). Currently works on water and energy.

  • Jennifer Cass, PE

    SVP, Capital Program
    New York City EDC

    Jennifer Cass is a Senior Vice President of the Capital Program of the New York City Economic Development Corporation where she leads significant projects such as NYC Ferry Design and Construction, L10 Cultural and Arts Center, and the Saw Mill Wetland Mitigation Bank. She specializes in the sustainable and resilient design and construction of large complex infrastructure projects. Ms. Cass has a mission to drive economic and sustainable growth in the great City of New York. She has over 20 years of experience in the public and private engineering sector. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is a licensed professional engineer in New York and California.

  • Muhammad Hajj, PhD

    Professor, Civil Engineering
    Stevens IOT

    Muhammad R. Hajj is the George Meade Bond Chair at Stevens Institute of Technology. He is also the Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering and Director of the renowned Davidson Laboratory. Dr. Hajj is a renowned scholar in the fields of nonlinear dynamics, fluid mechanics, structural dynamics and fluid-structure interactions with applications in aero- and hydro-elasticity, ships hydrodynamics, biomimetically-inspired air and underwater vehicles, and energy harvesting. Before joining Stevens in 2018, Dr. Hajj held the title of the J. Byron Maupin Professor of Engineering at Virginia Tech where he served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School between 2014 and 2018. He was also the Director of the NSF I/UCRC Center for Energy Harvesting Materials and Systems (CEHMS) between 2012 and 2018. Dr. Hajj received his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the American University of Beirut and his Master’s and PhD degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

  • Joe Keane, P.E. 

    SVP & Chief Engineer/ Program Executive MTAC&D/ Bridges & Tunnels

    As Senior Vice President and Chief Engineer of MTA Construction & Development, Bridges & Tunnels Business Unit, Joe Keane oversees the planning, design and construction of Capital and Major Maintenance projects at MTA Bridges & Tunnels’ seven bridges and two tunnels. Mr. Keane is the Business Unit Lead and Program Executive and leads a professional Engineering and Construction organization with responsibility in the management of planning, design, construction and engineering services. Mr. Keane is responsible for the execution of the MTA B&T’s multi-billion-dollar capital program, as well as its yearly operating budget program related to non-capital projects. Mr. Keane is a licensed professional engineer in both New York and New Jersey with over 38 years of professional experience. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering as well as an Executive Construction Management Diploma. He has led the Department in major initiatives including the response and recovery after Superstorm Sandy, the accelerated conversion of B&T facilities to Open Road Tolling and a number of national award-winning projects. He was recognized by ACEC in 2016 for his expertise in the construction industry and built environment, winning the Chairman’s award.