PA NEWSPublished biweekly for Port Authority and PATH employees November 23, 2015/Volume 14/Number 22

Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2

A Message fromThe ED

E xecutiveDirectorPat Foye

on November 19announced to staff that he hasdeclined to participate in thenew Chief Executive Officer search butwill remain and transition to new leadership over the next 120 days.You can read the entirety of his note here:

“I thank Governor Cuomo andGovernor Christie for the opportunityto serve the people of our region atthe most important transportationagency in the nation. It has been myhonor to serve alongside each of you,the most able and dedicated publicservants I have encountered.

Together, we refocused the agencyon its core transportation mission afterthe massive World Trade Centerrebuilding, and together we havealready sold over $1.5 billion in non-core, non-transportation assets.

Together, we established a nationalleadership position in public privatepartnerships. The Goethals Bridge PPPand LaGuardia Terminal B transactionsare important projects for the peopleof the region and demonstrate thevalue of private capital intelligentlydeployed in the public interest.

Together, we returned operations tonormal speedily and safely after thetrauma of Superstorm Sandy andsecured a $1.4 billion allocation fromthe FTA.

Port Authority Shows Solidarity With France

D uring the darkest of times,the solidarity of friends, bothnear and far, can shine

through to guide the way forward. The people of France stood with thebistate region when it faced thetragedy of 9/11. And the region —and the agency that serves it — continues to stand resolute withFrance in response to the terroristattacks that killed 130 people andinjured hundredsin Paris onNovember 13.

Just a fewhours after theattacks, the spireof One WorldTrade Centerbegan shiningblue, white, andred, the colors ofthe French flag,as ordered byGovernorAndrew Cuomoas a sign of solidarity withFrance and thefamilies of thevictims. Thenight ofNovember 14,the PA illuminat-ed the New Yorkand New Jerseytowers of theGeorgeWashington Bridge.

In addition, Port Authority staffjoined National September 11Memorial & Museum President andCEO Joe Daniels, former United

States Ambassador to FranceCraig Stapleton, and members ofthe public for a ceremony at theSurvivor Tree on the 9/11

Memorial plaza on November 16.Attendees placed tributes around thetree, which symbolizes resilience andrebirth in the face of terror. Chief

The towers of the GWBshine bright over theHudson River.

The Port Authority wavesthe colors of the French flagover the region.

Office of G

overnor Andrew C

uomo

Chief Procurement Officer LillianValenti (left) and PA Police OfficerSharon Otero were among the people who placed a flower at theSurvivor Tree.

Flower Photos: M

ercedes Guzm

an

PA News / November 23, 2015 2

the project costs. The parties will alsoexplore potential ways to secure private funding.

The development corporation,which will coordinate with Amtrak andNew Jersey Transit in this effort, willhave representation from the federalgovernment and the Board from each state. The PA will chair the corporation’s board.

“This is an important step forward,thanks to the leadership of the governors and our senators,” saidExecutive Director Foye. “I also believeit is a strong endorsement by all partiesof the unique capabilities of you, thepeople of the Port Authority, to plan,design, and execute the largest andmost critical infrastructure projects inthe region, and the country.”

A Message fromThe EDContinued from page 1

Together, we operated safely atPATH and each of our other facilitiesday in and day out.

Together, we are building twobridges — Bayonne and Goethals —at the same time, completing theWorld Trade Center, modernizing ourairports and executing on a $27 billioncapital plan.

Together, we welcomed new topflight colleagues in impact positionswho will have an outsized effect onour region for decades to come.

Together, earlier this month, wewere humbled when GovernorChristie and Governor Cuomoannounced agreement with theFederal Government on funding andgovernance for the massive Gatewaytunnel project and assigned ouragency responsibility for advancing the project.

Together, we operated with integrity. I thank each of my Port Authority

colleagues for all that and much more.I look forward to thanking you personally over the next four months.

I informed the Board yesterday thatI would decline to participate in a newCEO search and have agreed toremain and transition to new leadership for the next 120 days.

Lastly, I thank the Board ofCommissioners for its support andcounsel over the last four years.”

Pat

PA to Lead Way to Gateway

I n a message to all Port Authoritystaff on November 12, ExecutiveDirector Pat Foye shared the

latest updates regarding the GatewayTunnel Project, including the creation of a development corporation led by the PA that willoversee the construction and executionof the new trans-Hudson rail link.

Earlier that day, Governors AndrewCuomo and Chris Christie, togetherwith Senators Cory Booker and ChuckSchumer, announced the frameworkthat will advance the project. Fifty percent of the costs will be coveredby the federal government, includingthe United States Department ofTransportation and Amtrak. The governors proposed that the twostates would cover the remainder of

PA SWF: Crime Investigations Unit

In addition to being a critical transportation hub and economicengine for the mid-Hudson Valley,

Stewart International Airport is now hometo a state-of-the-art facility for solving crimes.

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomoannounced on November 9 that the $10million New York State Police Mid-HudsonRegional Crime Lab has officially openedat SWF, the result of a four-year construc-tion effort funded by the Port Authority inexchange for the state police’s continuedlaw enforcement services at the airport.

“The new crime lab advances thelong-standing relationship between theNew York State Police and StewartAirport,” said Executive Director Pat Foye.“It also signifies the Port Authority’s contin-ued commitment to the Hudson Valleycommunity by supporting the region’seconomy. Since taking over operations in2007, the agency has invested more than$50 million in airport improvements andanother $180 million in new runways, ter-minal enhancements and police services.”

The 10,000-square-foot facility, one offour labs in New York, will be used toexamine evidence and samples in DWIand drug cases within Dutchess, Ulster,Orange, Putnam, and Rockland counties,as well as samples from state police cases originating from Westchester Countyand parts of Long Island and New York City.

The lab is expected to be fully operational by the end of November.

The new 10,000-square-foot New YorkState Police Mid-Hudson Regional Crime Lab.

Dave H

apke

Joining in the ribbon-cutting ceremony are(starting from left) SWF Senior ProgramManager Nico Simeonidis, EWR GeneralManager and former SWF GeneralManager Richard Heslin, PABT/LT GeneralManager and first-ever SWF GeneralManager Diannae Ehler, Orange CountyExecutive Steven Neuhaus, PATH AssistantDirector of Capital Project ManagementGreg Reszka, SWF General Manager EdHarrison, and New York State PoliceSuperintendent Joseph D’Amico.

Pasquale DiFulco

Procurement Officer Lillian Valentiplaced a French flag at the tree, andPA Police Officer Sharon Oteroplaced a rose.

In keeping with the spirit of solidaritythat the agency continues to show, PA News dedicates this issue to thememory of the people who werekilled or injured in the Paris attacks.

Solidarity withFranceContinued from page 1

PA News / November 23, 2015 3

GWB American Flag Honors U.S. Military Vets

P ort Authority Electricians unfurledthe world’s largest free-flyingAmerican flag at the George

Washington Bridge in observance ofVeterans Day on November 11, continuingan agency tradition that started onVeterans Day in 1947.

The flag weighs 450 pounds and is 90 feet long by 60 feet wide. It is housedinside the bridge’s New Jersey tower, and lowered and unfolded by GWBElectricians using a control system at thebase of the arch on the upper-level deck.

Thanks to an abundance of wind, theflag could be seen waving with greatdetermination over the world’s busiestcrossing on Veterans Day.

Be sure to check out NJTV’s video coverage of the flag unfurling, whichincludes interviews with GWB Electricianand retired Air Force veteran JohnO’Leary, Structural Maintainer JohnO’Brien, and Electrician Mauro Caputi.

For more pictures of the flag, check outPortfolio Editor Roz Hamlett’s article,“The World’s Largest Free-flying Flag fromthe World’s Busiest Bridge.”

The GWB American flag waves from theNew Jersey tower, honoring current andformer U.S. military veterans.

The GWB Electricians who had the honorof helping unfurl the flag on Veterans Day.

Photos: Rudy King

Mike M

ahesh

Coming Soon: Staffers Enjoy ViewTo the Heavens

H undreds of employees joinedChairman John Degnan,Executive Director Pat Foye,

and Deputy Chief of CapitalPlanning/WTC Construction DirectorSteve Plate on November 18 for aspecial gathering at the base of 4World Trade Center, where they had achance to see firsthand a monumentalexample of the Port Authority’s handiwork.

PA News will feature a full recap ofthis milestone event in the next issue,complete with a full spread of picturescourtesy of Audio/Visual Services andWTC Construction. Staffers can submittheir photos to panews@panynj.govby December 1. The best ones will be featured.

HRD Briefs Staff for Open Enrollment

H uman Resources EmployeeBenefits Manager CharlesDerderian is on a mission to

equip employees agencywide with theinformation they need to make decisionsregarding their health care plans duringthe 2016 Benefits Open Enrollment period, which runs through December 4.

During the enrollment period, staff can make changes to their dependentdesignations, switch benefits plans, andconfirm their current elections, all throughPeopleSoft Self Service.

Mr. Derderian is hosting a series of “Benefits Briefings” via web-based meetingsand in-person sessions at various agency facilities to provide staff with a comprehensive presentation on PA benefits options, plan comparisons, and much more.

Please see below for the remaining web-based and in-person session times. Forinstructions on how to participate in the web sessions, click here.

• WebEx Meetings: December 1, 3 p.m.• In-person Meeting: December 2, 9:30 a.m., 4 World Trade Center, 23rd floor,

Board Room.

Employee Benefits Manager CharlesDerderian (far back) briefs a full house atthe Port Authority Technical Center.

Soniya Dsouza

What are the Executive Director andChairman looking at? Find out in the next issue.

PARA Wants You

T he Port Authority RetireesAssociation invites active andretired PA and PATH employees

to join its 4,200 members.PARA allows you to stay current

with news about the agency, itsemployees and retirees, and with stateand federal issues of importance toretirees, such as benefit, pension, andSocial Security updates.

The membership fee is $10 a year.Visit www.paranynj.org for more information and to sign up for PARA’se-mail bulletins.

PA News / November 23 2015 4

LGA Welcomes Heroes Home

I t was a homecoming thatLaGuardia Airport was honored tohost, as it meant serving those

who risked their lives serving us.LGA staff on November 13 worked

with local reservists to provide a hero’swelcome for 20 members of the389th Combat Sustainment SupportBattalion from Fort Totten, Queens,who recently completed a 10-monthdeployment in Afghanistan. Theyarrived from Fort Hood, Texas, as partof the demobilization process.

As part of the homecoming, LGAstaff provided the veterans with their first official lunch on New York soil. LGA chose a true American combination: burgers,fries, and soda. The soldiers showed their appreciation by singing staff the Armysong, “The Army Goes Rolling Along.”

“Being able to welcome our veterans back home was an honor for the LGAteam,” said LGA General Manager Lysa Scully. “We are proud of these soldiersand the sacrifice they made for our country.”

At the conclusion of the party, the PAPD joined the Patriot Guard Riders motorcyclists in escorting the soldiers’ bus on its trip to Fort Totten, where theheroes reunited with their families.

Brian Rohlf

Some of the region’s bravest unite at LGA.Pictured with the troops are Port AuthorityPolice Lieutenant Daniel Rhein (left), PoliceOfficer Robert Riggio (second from right), andLieutenant Scott Glazer (right).

OBX LEDs Lighten Up Roadways, Costs & Energy Use

S taten Island Bridges Electriciansare busy replacing the high-mast light fixtures on the plaza

of the Outerbridge Crossing with moreenergy efficient LED fixtures—one ofseveral upgrades to electrical andmechanical systems at the facilityunder the Office of Environmental &Energy Programs’ Energy ConservationImprovements Phase 4 Initiative.

SIB is leveraging facility staff in lieuof contracting options to perform por-tions of the upgrade work, which low-ers overall project costs.

Following the high-mast fixtureupgrades, SIB will replace the bridgelighting with LEDs and implement tar-geted mechanical system replace-ments. When all upgrades are com-pleted, total energy savings are esti-mated at $200,000 per year.

Carlos Patoir

SIB Electricians (from left) Onofrio “Dominick”Giustino, Tim McCarthy, and Mark Gonzaloreplace one of the light fixtures with an LED one.

Thomas Albach

The new high-mast LEDs get the job donewhile reducing costs and energy use.

Help StudentsBuild Future Cities

T he 2015-2016 New JerseyRegional and New YorkRegional Future City

Competitions are set, respectively, forJanuary 16 at Rutgers University - NewBrunswick and January 23 at the SonyWonder Technology Lab in Manhattan.The competitions will challenge middle-school students from theirrespective states to design a futurecity, including an innovative citywidesolid waste disposal system that is“safe, environmentally sound, andenergy efficient.”

The participating students, part of the region’s next generation of engineers, could use some guidanceduring the competition. Who better to lend a hand than the region’s master builders?

Future City is looking for staffersinterested in serving as mentors atparticipating schools, volunteer judges for at-home work and at thecompetition, and general volunteers to assist in the day’s events.

If you are interested in volunteeringfor the NJ Regional, contact its coordinator, PA Civil Engineer ScottLubarsky, at slubarsky@panynj.gov.For the NYC Regional, contact JasonDel Nero at jdelnero@panynj.gov.

Get PA News

If you’d like PA News sent to your personal e-mail address, send a note topanews@panynj.gov.

PA News / November 23, 2015 5

PA Activates the AOC

T he Port Authority on November2 launched its AgencyOperations Center (AOC),

a single point of contact that coordinates traffic-management activities across PA facilities and withregional partners to enhance travelersafety and reduce traffic congestionthroughout the trans-Hudson transportation network.

The PA-AOC, which is housed in the Ernesto L. ButcherEmergency Operations Center, is managed by Traffic Engineering andstaffed 24/7 by specialists who usetravel-time detectors, camera feeds,and other transportation technologies to monitor real-time information on traffic conditions and incidents at PA facilities, as well as on the transportation links to those facilities.When an incident occurs, the AOC will communicate with staff at theimpacted facility and regional partners to redirect travelers andmanage congestion through variablemessage signs and traffic signals.The AOC also ensures that the traveling public receives accurate andtimely information via 511 information systems and PA Alerts.

“A key Port Authority objective is toenhance the regional transportationnetwork for goods and people. Ourtransportation network faces greaterdemands than ever before, and thisoperational improvement will help usachieve this goal,” said Acting ChiefOperating Officer StephanieDawson. “We launched the AOC tomonitor operational traffic conditionsacross the region and communicatethem effectively in order to keep New York and New Jersey moving.The AOC is expected to help the PortAuthority achieve speedier incidentresponse times, resulting in reducedtraffic delays and safer conditions forthe traveling public.”

Chief Security Officer ThomasBelfiore said, “The AOC serves as an important addition to day-to-day operations across our system of roadways and cross-Hudson connections. It enhances our ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies, which we believe willresult in safer and more timely travelfor commuters.”

Chief Engineer James Staracesaid, “The AOC will play a critical rolein delivering the PA’s aggressive CapitalPlan. Many of the projects in theCapital Plan will require real-time transportation management strategiesduring construction to minimizeimpact to the traveling public, and the AOC will be key to developing,implementing, and executing these strategies.”

For more on the AOC, review thePA’s press release.

Photos: Rudy KingActing Chief Operating Officer StephanieDawson announces the launch of the PA-AOC.

Introducing the new Port Authority AgencyOperations Center.

Support the PACharitableContribution Campaign

T he Port Authority has partneredwith the New York StateEmployees Federated Appeal

(NYSEFA) and the New JerseyEmployees Charitable Campaign(NJECC) to launch the 2015/2016PA/PATH Employees CharitableContribution Campaign. Through thiscampaign, employees can supporttheir favorite charities by making adonation via a payroll deduction.

“With the approaching holiday season, and with so many in need,there is no better time than now tolend a hand to deserving organizationsthat strive to help others who desperately need our support,” saidActing Chief Operating OfficerStephanie Dawson, who serves aschair of the campaign.

Employees can participate in theNYSEFA, the NJECC, or both. Visit theNYSEFA and NJECC sites, where youcan register your account, choose thecharities you want to support, andmake your pledge.

The campaign runs throughDecember 18.

The PA’s Charitable Contribution CampaignCaptains.

Acting Chief Operating Officer StephanieDawson (second from left) briefs CampaignCaptains from each department who willhelp manage the PA/PATH EmployeeCharitable Contribution Campaign.

Photos: Mike D

ombrow

ski

PA News / November 23, 2015 6

PAAAA Celebrates Festival of Lights

T he Port Authority AsianAmerican Association celebrated Diwali, the Hindu

festival of lights, with a party onNovember 6 at Benares in TriBeCa.

Diwali isa five-dayfestivalheld eachyear inautumn tocommem-orate the triumph of good over evil. The festival, celebrat-ed by people across the globe, is marked with fireworks,dancing, the sharing of sweets, and of course, the lightingof lamps, which Vice President Alok Saksena says repre-sents Diwali’s meaning: “the awareness of inner light andremoval of the darkness of ignorance.”

Roughly 100 PA staffers and friends joined PAAAA forits annual party. They enjoyed traditional Indian cuisine,

music, and even a traditional dance performance by PAAAAsupporter Subja Raj.

Those interested in joining PAAAA and learning about itsmission and events should email Mr. Saksena at asaksena@panynj.gov.

From left: PAAAA Vice President Alok Saksena,former PAAAA President Manish Patel, Ajay Patel,PAAAA Committee Member Sawmya Abraham,OSD’s Jean Marie Mitchell, and PATH’s JulieLomba.

Dancer Subha Raj performs a traditionalroutine for PAAAA’s festivities.

Arun Raj

Julie Lomba

PAHS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

T he Port AuthorityHispanic Society hostedits annual National

Hispanic Heritage MonthBreakfast on November 9 atthe Hilton Newark Penn Station.

The breakfast’s keynotespeaker was CommissionerFeniosky Peña-Mora of the NewYork City Department of Designand Construction. He addressedthe attendees through a Q&Asession moderated by PortAuthority Senior ProjectManager and PAHS At-LargeMember Javier Salinas.

During the session, Commissioner Peña-Mora shared his advice on how to besuccessful in life, which entails following the seven Ps: passion, purpose, prepara-tion, perspiration, persistence, perseverance, and people.

PAHS’s next event will be its Annual Three Kings Celebration at Iberia PeninsulaRestaurant in Newark on January 8. Tickets go on sale at the end of November.Contact PAHS President Charlotte Colon-Alvarez at ccolonalvarez@panynj.govfor more information.

PAHS member in attendance included (from left)Prescott Miller, Neyive Alfonso, Margaret Acosta, RaulRodriguez, Julie Lomba, PAHS Treasurer PamelaMendoza, PAHS Vice President Andres Crespo, PAHSPresident Charlotte Colon-Alvarez, and Javier Salinas.

Alan Hicks

PAPDMCA CutsBirthday Cake

M embers of the PortAuthority Police MarineCorps Association on

November 10 celebrated the USMC’s240th birthday with the traditionalcake-cutting ceremony at PAPDHeadquarters.

As part of the celebration, which theMarines formalized in 1952, the firstpiece of cake was given to the oldestMarine at the ceremony, PAPDMCAmember Joseph McLaughlin(second from right), who took a biteand shared the piece with theyoungest Marine, PA Police OfficerJason Nielsen (third from right). This signifies the passing of theMarines Corps tradition from one generation to another.

Other attendees included (startingfrom left) retired PAPD Captain BenCascio, Deputy Police Chief MatthewWilson, retired Detective SergeantThomas Westfield, retired Gunnery Sergeant Mario Monaco,Superintendent of Police Michael A.Fedorko, retired LCpl. Angel R.Otero, PAPD Detective JoshuaMaarleveld, PO Edgar Villanueva,PO Roberto Reyes, Police Sgt. ErickTorres, and Inspector Geraldo Silva.

Discount ProgramPort Authority

employees andretirees can takeadvantage ofhundreds of discounts at stores, theaters, theme parks,and more through Working Advantage, thePA’s Employee Discount Program partner.Visit www.workingadvantage.com and usethe PA Member ID number – 405042634.

Nancy Farrell