Summer 2019 Newsletter

FROM THE CORNER OFFICE

At PS&S, we remain committed to supporting our most valuable asset—our employees—by creating an environment that fosters career development and personal satisfaction of a job well done. We are particularly pleased to shine the spotlight in this newsletter on employees who have worked at our company for more than 30 years. When working on multi-faceted projects our clients know they can count on our experience to provide best in class service. These six individuals have dedicated their careers to helping PS&S prosper and we look forward to helping all employees develop new skills and advance their careers.

We also highlight our employees who demonstrate our core values and are recipients of the Paulus, Sokolowski, and Sartor Awards. We want to thank all our employees and look forward to servicing our clients professionally while maintaining a collaborative environment that continues to allow our employees to thrive and excel.

For more information, please contact John Sartor at jsartor@psands.com.

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FOCUS ON: Work Anniversaries of 30 Years and More

We are happy to announce the work anniversaries of the following individuals who have been part of PS&S for more than 30 years.

35th Year Anniversary

Michael Cohen, PE
Senior Vice President

How have you seen PS&S evolve and what was your most rewarding project?

When I got to PS&S in 1983, we were 75 people offering several services in one building in Warren. During my career we have been involved in so many groundbreaking and signature projects like The Taj Mahal, Harrah’s and Borgata in Atlantic City, Port Imperial on the Hudson River, and the Red Bull Stadium in Harrison. Having spent many years working with Hudson County and their Improvement Authority on the design and construction of the Skyway Golf Course in Jersey City is certainly among the top of my accomplishments. It was a thrill to help the County close their old landfill and in the process create the first and only public golf course in the county. Since opening three years ago and it has received rave reviews from the golf community as well as the public in general for its environmentally sensitive and beautiful features within its urban setting.  

Ellen Deskins

How have you seen PS&S evolve to meet the growing demands of its clients over the course of your career?

When I started the staff was fewer than 100 employees. A rapid growth in the business brought about more expertise and advanced technical staff who have been able to push the company forward. My words of wisdom to colleagues is, be open to learn from others and know that everyone’s opinion is valued.

Mike Rakowsky

What do you hope to see for the future of PS&S?

Over the last 35 years here at PS&S, my job has always been unique because of the various responsibilities I perform. I’m glad to have known and developed relationships with so many wonderful people in this great company. My vision for the future of PS&S is to see more expansion throughout and growth from within.

30th Year Anniversary

Sanjay Patel, PE
Vice President

What is your most memorable challenge or project at PS&S?

PS&S has diversified efficiently to provide specialty professional services to major public and private clients such as energy and utilities, remediation and redevelopment, etc. My most memorable project at PS&S is “Gas and Odor Control at Fresh Kills Landfill”, Staten Island New York. This was a challenging project involving design and construction of a system to collect and manage the methane gas generated from the largest landfill (250+ acres) in the United States. The scope and scale of the project was unprecedented at the time. The project made a major positive impact on the environment and quality of the surrounding community. It was rewarding for the Company and has stood test of the time over the past 18 years.

James Wancho, PE
Vice President

What are some of the driving factors behind your tenure at PS&S?

PS&S has added many new service offerings over the years to meet the needs of our clients and to remain relevant in an ever-changing industry. In fact, the addition of Water Resources as a service offering brought me to the company 30 years ago. One of the benefits of working at PS&S has been the opportunity to work on many important and challenging projects for scores of great clients. PS&S was founded on strong values and as we grow into new locations with new service offerings, I am confident we will continue to foster the long-term careers of so many employees like myself.

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FOCUS ON: Paulus, Sokolowski, & Sartor Awards

Congratulations to all of our outstanding award winners whom we recognize for their management, technical, and business development excellence.

We are privileged to work with so many of you who are truly committed to our clients and the services we provide.

The Paulus Badge: Management Excellence (P)
Recognition for effective communication, care, and management of our company's resources to deliver great and timely results

The Sokolowski Badge: Technical Excellence (S)
Recognition for demonstrating and furthering the technical prowess that we expect of ourselves and that our clients demand

The Sartor Badge: Business Development Excellence (&S)
Recognition for helping to generate a dependable revenue source for our company and to enhance our brand in the marketplace

The six winners are:

• Mark Allen

• Marissa Magura

• Nicole Muth

• Kyle Rutherford

• Jason Schooling

• Nevien Valenzuela

NJ IBank Features Bayshore RSA Water Pollution Control Plant as their “Project of the Week”

We are happy to share NJ IBank’s Project of the Week, where PS&S is among the many consultants involved in the three successful projects in the showcase.

PS&S Attends 2019 NJAC Annual Conference

The 69th Annual New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) Conference celebrating county government and was held at Caesar’s in Atlantic City. It brings together more than 500 elected and appointed government officials and business leaders to focus on issues that impact counties and residents within the Garden State of New Jersey.

Patricia Ruskan Named 2019 Civil Engineer of the Year

PS&S Civil Engineering Vice President Patricia Ruskan, PE was named 2019 Civil Engineer of the Year by the New Jersey Section of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

She was presented the award on Thursday, May 9th, 2019 at the Annual ASCE NJ Award Dinner for her dedicated work and professionalism as a civil engineer, as well as her extensive community involvement and her positive and proactive approach to collaborative projects, which bring credit to her and to the engineering profession.

The dinner celebration was held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the APA Hotel Woodbridge in Iselin, New Jersey.

Matt Tomaso Attends Society for American Archaeology Annual Conference

PS&S Senior Associate and Director of Cultural Resources, Matt Tomaso attended the 84th Society for American Archaeology Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, NM from April 10th-14th.

Matt took part in the Collaborative and Community-Based Archaeology Symposium on Thursday morning with his paper entitled “Archaeology and the Historical Construction of Community at Feltville/Glenside Park.”

It is an anthropological piece that discusses how the last few decades of scholarly and avocational historical and archaeological research at the National Register District of Feltville/Glenside Park has helped to establish a sense of community among the descendants of people who lived and worked there and are now scattered across the globe, as well as an appreciation of the district’s vital role as part of the Union County Park system in recreation, county-sponsored events and the commemoration of local history. Matt has worked with the district since 1997 and PS&S was recently involved in a Historic Barn Renovation.

Marge DellaVecchia Shares Thoughts on Camden with South Jersey Biz

Construction Boom

An attractive market equals numerous projects in the region and there seems to be no end in sight.

by Amanda Hamm Hengel

When it comes to building and construction in South Jersey, there’s no denying the region has been a virtual hotbed over the past few years.

One only need look at the Camden waterfront to see an example of this—the revitalization of the city has included several large undertakings on the new construction front, including the 223,376-square-foot American Water headquarters, the 250,000-square-foot Subaru headquarters and the 394,164-square-foot Camden Tower, which Conner Strong & Buckelew, NFI and The Michaels Organization will soon call home.

There’s also the Rowan University-Rutgers Camden Board of Directors Joint Health Services Center, a 95,000-square-foot building also in the works in the city, as well as a 180-bed Hilton Garden Inn and a 156-unit apartment complex.

All of these projects—just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what has been happening in South Jersey on the building and construction front— have helped to keep the proverbial “ball” rolling in the development of the region, and their presence is already being felt.

“Camden is ‘on the rise’ due to significant and strong investment by Camden City and Camden County, as well as significant investment by local firms willing to invest in their future in the city,” says Marge DellaVecchia, AICP, PP, vice president for PS&S, a firm offering architecture, engineering, design and environmental consulting services. “The presence of the new corporate head-quarters is already spinning off accessory uses and businesses, all of which will continue to reframe the city and its renaissance.”

Click to read more: http://southjerseybiz.net/articles/?articleid=1626

PS&S Participates at the Great Saw Mill River Cleanup

PS&S is a proud supporter of the annual Great Saw Mill River Cleanup. This year PS&S volunteered to participate and clean-up one of the 7 different sites along the Saw Mill River.

PS&S Attends Rutgers Hillel 2019 Annual Gala

PS&S was happy to attend and to support the The Rutgers Hillel 2019 Annual Gala which took place at the Eva and Arie Halpern Hillel House on the Wilf Family Campus on Sunday, April 7th.

Marge DellaVecchia on Investing in South Jersey

Marge DellaVecchia shares her thoughts on South Jersey.

Major business, utility, transportation, healthcare, higher education and other critical expansion projects are spurring great economic development in South Jersey.

PS&S Takes Part in Engineering Expo

The Lower Hudson Valley Engineering Expo is held annually in the spring and this year took place at White Plains High School in White Plains, NY. Young attendees get the opportunity to meet representatives from top engineering schools, learn more from industry leaders of top engineering and technology firms, and can get participate at the “Young Engineers Panel.” The event was attended by many engineering firms and municipal officials from NYS, County and local governments as well as numerous colleges offering engineering degrees.

Jovena Gjurai and Bill Schneider attended and spoke to many students about engineering as a career and answered numerous questions about our firm and what we do. Jovena provided a fresh perspective as a recent engineering graduate.

PS&S Receives CoCoRaHS Certificate of Appreciation

PS&S has once again been issued the attached Certificate of Appreciation from the N.J. State Climatologist for our “Outstanding Service” to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network. 

Congratulations and thank you to Brian Budney and the CoCoRaHs team for their dedication and submitting reports that covered more 358 days over the course of 2018.

PS&S Attends Red Hot Gala 2019

Every year, The Cooper Foundation invites New Jersey leaders and Cooper Foundation friends to celebrate the foundation’s successes and future. All proceeds support The Cooper Foundation's commitment to making life better for its patients and community.

PS&S is happy to attend and support this year’s Red Hot Gala which took place in Philadelphia on March 29th.

PS&S Attends Westchester Business Expo

PS&S was proud to attend and be an exhibitor at this year’s Westchester Business Expo! The Business Council of Westchester 2019 Expo took place at the Hilton Westchester on Mar. 29 from 1-5PM. For more info go here: www.wbxpo.com

NJ Effluents Magazine Features PS&S

PS&S is happy to be selected and featured by the NJ Water Environment Association for its NJ Effluents Magazine as the latest vendor spotlight.

Follow PS&S on Instagram

For our visual friends - PS&S has an Instagram account where we share snippets of our latest projects, news, and events. Follow us @psands_llc on Instagram.

PS&S Attends NJ Future Conference

PS&S was proud to be an exhibitor at this year’s New Jersey Future: Redevelopment Forum where the theme was New Jersey’s struggle with outdated infrastructure, congested roads, and polluted water… and what solutions are within reach.

PS&S Promotes Longtime Experts

PS&S promotes longtime land services, environmental experts

By Joshua Burd, Real Estate New Jersey

Design and engineering firm PS&S has made two promotions within its executive ranks.

Joe Fleming

In a news release Tuesday, the Warren-based firm announced that it has named Joe Fleming first executive vice president. In the new role, he will continue to ignite and oversee expansion of the firm in key business areas.

Fleming, previously an executive vice president, has spent nearly 35 years with PS&S. He has previously overseen dozens of prominent and highly acclaimed construction projects, from houses of worship and retail centers to corporate office developments and residential housing.

He also serves on the PS&S management committee and is the firm’s principal-in-charge of all land services, which include environmental permitting and remediation, utility services, surveying, landscape architecture and civil engineering, the news release said. The New Jersey Institute of Technology graduate also holds a fellow grade at the American Society of Civil Engineers and serves on its Industry Leaders Council.

Miguel Salinas

The firm has also promoted L. Miguel Salinas to executive vice president and has elevated him to its management committee, the news release said. In the new role, Salinas manages the multidisciplinary environmental services department, which includes overseeing a wide variety of services related to permitting, environmental impact assessment, site evaluation and remediation and many other areas.

He is responsible for environmental services in all PS&S offices, having joined the firm in 2007.

Salinas, previously a senior vice president, also chairs the energy utility sector team for PS&S. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in soil science from the University of Arkansas and Louisiana State University, respectively.

The veteran engineer is actively involved with New Jersey’s site remediation program.

Kris McCool Takes Part in NJEC Economic Series Panel

Kris McCool took part in a panel in this year’s NJEC Economic Series: Natural Gas. The panel discussed – The Bridge to a Clean Energy Future – In 2018 New Jersey began a new path for a clean energy future. In order to maintain current standards and reach the 2050 goals, it is necessary that the future includes an all-in approach when it comes to comprehensive energy needs. With the buildout of wind generation and the advancement of energy storage, natural gas is a bridge and support fuel for a clean energy future. The panel will discuss the transition to the 2050 goals and what role natural gas plays in that transition. 

First panel: “Natural Gas: The Bridge to a Clean Energy Future” pic.twitter.com/FAvZXAJKZY

— NJ Energy Coalition (@Energy_NJ) February 20, 2019

NJEC Selects PS&S as its February Highlight

PS&S is honored to be selected as the New Jersey Energy Coalition February Member Highlight.

PS&S is a proud member of the New Jersey Energy Coalition. With deep roots in New Jersey, PS&S has assumed a leadership role in redefining professional energy services, both in traditional and emerging technologies. We understand the needs of our fellow Coalition members and are uniquely qualified in our approach to project development, from environmental compliance through engineering design. PS&S Energy Services group includes the full range of professionals that work strategically with our clients to navigate through the challenges of project development, particularly in light of New Jersey’s complex regulatory processes, allowing for projects to be completed in accordance with service demands. Our enthusiastic professionals are embracing emerging energy market opportunities.

View the entire feature: http://www.njenergycoalition.org/february-member-highlight-pss/

NJ SHARES Board of Directors Appoints John Sartor as Newest Member

New Jersey SHARES Appoints New Members to Board of Directors

New Jersey SHARES, Inc., a statewide nonprofit corporation aiding individuals and families who have trouble meeting their energy and utility burden, has appointed four new members to its Board of Directors.

The newly appointed members are Jenny S. Davis of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Ulises E. Diaz of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Chris James of MBI and John A. Sartor of PS&S.

“We are thrilled to welcome these four talented leaders to our Board of Directors,” said Cheryl B. Stowell, CEO, New Jersey SHARES. “Their insight and combined years of expertise in their respective fields will be a great asset to our nonprofit organization as we continue to serve our New Jersey neighbors in need.”