January 30, 2015/Volume 14/Number 2

Continued on page 4

Continued on page 4

Region Dodges A Bullet

PA Airports Set Records

More than 200 employees, retirees,

and friends, including Executive Director Pat Foye and Deputy Executive Director Deb Gramiccioni, attended the Port Authority Network of Black Employees’ 28th annual Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Breakfast at the Gateway Hilton Hotel in Newark on January 15.

Also attending were Acting COO Stephanie Dawson, Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals Director Cedrick Fulton, Chief Security Officer Thomas Belfiore, Director of Public Safety/Superintendent of Police Michael Fedorko, PAPD Assistant Chief Gloria Frank, and DED’s Chief of Staff Nicole Crifo.

NBE Secretary Earlyne Alexander welcomed guests. Engineering’s Linda Cherilus gave the invocation and led guests in “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” Music was provided by the Afterwork Collective, featuring Engineering’s Joe Warner.

In addition to acknowledging the hard work of everyone who helped to put

More than 117 million passengers traveled through Port Authority airports in 2014, surpassing the record set in the prior year by more three million fliers – a roughly 3 percent jump.

Preliminary data shows an estimated 117.1 million passengers used John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, Stewart International, and Atlantic City International airports during 2014, with final official numbers expected later this quarter.

The increase in passenger traffic fuels regional economic growth, with an estimated additional 4,000 jobs and $700 million in economic benefits whenever another million fliers are added to the airports’ passenger volume.

Overall, passenger growth primarily was driven by international travel, which rose 6 percent, while domestic growth showed a 1.5 percent increase.

The weather forecast of “Snowmageddon” was accurate – it just happened farther east

than the forecasters predicted, sparing the Port District to some extent. Still, LaGuardia Airport, for one example, saw 11.4 inches of the fluffy stuff.

Port Authority employees at the bridges, tunnels, airports, marine terminals, and PATH worked around the clock Monday and Tuesday to keep the facilities operational. The Ernesto L. Butcher Emergency Operations Center also was staffed around the clock.

These photos were taken by Anthony Carvagno at the Holland Tunnel, Hector Eugui at the GWB, and Dimitris Bournias at JFK.

MLK Breakfast Attendees Commit to Serve

Alan Hicks

At the 2015 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast (from left): NBE President Derek Hawkins; Secretary Earlyne Alexander; Treasurer Rochelle Joyner; All Stars Project New Jersey City Leader Gloria Strickland, the keynote speaker; NBE Membership Chair Michele Martin; PAPD Assistant Chief Norma Hardy; NBE Vice President Glenessa Gordon; and NBE Member William Brown III.

PA NEWSPublished biweekly for Port Authority and PATH employees

To get middle school students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, a number of Port Authority engineers volunteered their time and skills this month at regional Future City

Competitions in New Jersey and New York.Students compete by using SimCity software to design their “city of the

future,” building a scale model and making a formal presentation. They also must complete a technical essay, which this year dealt with urban agriculture.

Scott Lubarsky, a Civil Engineer working in Aviation who organizes the New Jersey competition, coordinated PA participation. Mr. Lubarsky said, “The Port Authority had a strong presence, with volunteers judging the competition and also talking with the students in a ‘meet the professionals’ session that was part of their day.” Senior Structural Engineer Jason Del Nero coordinates the PA’s participation in New York.

More than 30,000 students across the U.S. participate in the Future City competition. This year’s regional winners in the over 20-year-old program will travel to Washington, DC, in February for a chance at the national prize – a week of Space Camp at NASA’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

This year’s regional winners were Heritage Middle School in Livingston, NJ, and Louis Pasteur Middle School 67 in Little Neck, Queens. To learn more about the competition, visit www.futurecity.org.

PA Engineers Mentor ‘Future City’ Kids

At the New Jersey regional competition at Rutgers University’s Livingston Campus on January 17 are (from left) Engineering’s Igor Polyanskiy, Muhammad Elgammal, Ryan Laub, Scott Lubarsky, Tejkiran Desai, and Omar Choukeir. Not pictured: Melissa Targett and Elizabeth Browder. Also volunteering were Benjamin Engle, Sara Le, and Meghan Veregge.

At the New York regional competition at the Sony Wonder Tech Lab in Manhattan are (from left) Raul Garcia, Jason Del Nero, Yves Veve, Jami Bjornstad, and Rumana Haque. Not pictured: Meghan Veregge, who helped with both events.

Jessica Polyanskiy

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo last week called for improving access to LaGuardia Airport by creating an AirTrain system that directly connects to the subway and the Long Island Rail Road at Mets-Willets

Point Station. Governor Cuomo unveiled the plan on January 20 in a speech to the

Association for a Better New York in Manhattan, part of a series of speeches across the state previewing his State of the State address.

The Governor said the AirTrain would be built next to the Grand Central Parkway because construction there would not disrupt local neighborhoods. The line would link the airport to the Willets Point station, which sits opposite Citi Field and serves the LIRR and the No. 7 subway line. Renderings of the AirTrain line can be viewed here.

Governor Cuomo Calls for LGA Rail Link

2PA News / January 30, 2015

Working with HRD’s Diversity & Inclusion Division, Comptroller’s Robert

Donahue, TB&T’s Lizzie Browder, Aviation’s Aidan O’Donnell, and HRD’s Alexandra Nin and Joe Monte have established a new Employee Resource Group – the Network for Emerging Talent, or NET. The group aims to create opportunities and programs that foster relationships between employees from different generations and with different levels of organizational experience, specifically between new and emerging staff and those who are further along in their agency careers.

The group’s founding members have been with the agency for from one to three years, but they are committed to bringing together employees with varied years of service and experience who represent all of the workforce’s generations.

Mr. Donahue, NET’s Founding President, said, “Through our ERG, members will be able to learn more about the agency, share best practices, and network. We hope everyone comes out to join NET to help us fulfill our vision for a more connected PA workforce.”

NET plans to begin its efforts with a general interest meeting tentatively scheduled for February 26, 4 to 6 p.m., at 4 World Trade Center. An official announcement will be made in the next few weeks inviting all agency staff. NET also intends to convene a roundtable with the agency’s other ERGs to discuss collaborating to meet shared objectives. If you are interested in joining NET, email Joe Monte at jmonte@panynj.gov.

New ERG to Link Generations

NET founding members include (from left) Joe Monte, Alexandra Nin, and Robert Donahue. Not pictured: Lizzie Browder and Aidan O’Donnell.

Barbara D

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Calendar

3PA News / January 30, 2015

The Port Authority is looking to feature more of you – its valued employees who are

responsible for moving millions of people and tons of goods through the region – on its “People of the Port Authority” Instagram page.

Employees are welcome to submit photos of their colleagues doing their jobs, whether it’s in the field or the office. The best photos will be featured.

Send photos to Media Relations’ Lenis Rodrigues, who manages the site, at lrodrigues@panynj.gov. The site can be viewed at http://instagram.com/peopleofpanynj.

To follow People of the Port Authority, download the Instagram app for Apple iOS from the App Store, Android from Google Play Store or Windows Phone from the Windows Phone Store. Once the app is installed, tap to open it. Tap “Register with Email” to sign up with your email address or “Register with Facebook” to sign up with your Facebook account. If you register with email, create a username and password, fill out your profile info, and then tap “Done.” If you register with Facebook, you’ll be prompted to sign into your Facebook account if you’re currently logged out. To follow the Port Authority’s peopleofpanynj Instagram account on your iPhone, go to your profile and then tap in the top right.

Instagram Features You

PAPD Sergeants Chris Bergmann and Julian Hampden will attend their final roll calls at LGA on January 30 at 1345 hours.

The Holland Tunnel’s Tom Cortelli is heading to North Carolina. You can wish him a happy retirement on January 30, 11:30 to 2, at the HT Maintenance Garage.

After 35 years of service, TEC’s Diane Baker has processed her last invoice. Her retirement celebration is set for noon on February 6 at Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City.

TEC’s Effie Sampson is retiring after 36 years of service. Her farewell celebration is set for February 20, 5 to 9 p.m., at Iberia Peninsula Restaurant in Newark.

PATH’s Ken Bransky and Al Panepinto are going, going… You can wish them farewell on February 27, 3 to 7 p.m., at Park Tavern in Jersey City.

See Employee Bulletins for details.

Retirement News

Applications are being accepted for the Port Authority’s Summer Internship Program. The deadline to apply is February 2. To access the job posting, agree to the terms and conditions on the apply now page. Once in the application system, enter 2015 Summer Internship Program into the search engine or enter the Job ID #20975 into the advanced search engine under the “apply now” tab. If you have any questions, contact Kate Baust at kbaust@panynj.gov.

Summer Internships

The PA & You

Memorial 5K KickoffThe National 9/11 Memorial will host

a kickoff event on January 31 for its annual 5K Run/Walk, at which it will sell tickets for the 5K for $35 – $15 off the regular adult fee. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Whole Foods Market Tribeca, 270 Greenwich Street, and will include activities for children, prizes and giveaways, food samplings, and more. The annual Run/Walk is set for April 26.

Executive Director Pat Foye and Deputy Chief of Capital Planning/WTC Construction Director Steven Plate are quoted in the February issue

of Vogue magazine, which features an article on the World Trade Center and the “rebirth” of Lower Manhattan.

The interviews and a photo shoot for Vogue photographers inside the WTC Transportation Hub were facilitated by Media Relations’ Erica Dumas late last year, with help from staff from WTC Construction, Condé Nast, and Westfield Group to ensure that the models and photographers were safe and that construction activity was not disrupted. It was worth the effort. You can read the result here.

Vogue Article Features the WTC

More than 200 Port Authority

Police Officers turned out at each of the funerals for NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos this month and last in Brooklyn. Every PA Police Command was represented.

Paying PAPD’s Respects

Christopher Terranova

Get PA NewsIf you’d like PA News sent to your

personal e-mail address, send a note to panews@panynj.gov.

4PA News / January 30, 2015

Title: IT Systems Support Specialist.

Residence: Staten Island.

Joined the PA: “I began my career at the Port Authority as a contractor in December 2007 and was inducted into the PA family in June 2011.”

Duties: “I provide IT customer service to our users. It includes being team leader for the iPhone deployment; security testing of everything on our desktops; installing new hardware; testing, installation, and maintenance of our Mac environment; and device management, including iPhones and iPads.”

Most challenging aspects: “Trying to please all of the people all of the time. I know it may seem like an exercise in futility, but I will never stop trying.”

Personal interests: “I play drums in a band and started playing guitar two years ago, and I enjoy playing hockey, customizing my motorcycle, and working on custom cars.”

Thoughts about the job: “I love my job. No two days are alike, and I get to play with devices while ensuring that TEC delivers the most comprehensive support possible. I am a born problem solver – the bigger, the more intricate the problem, the more fulfillment I get in solving it. And I always find the birth of a new device interesting and exciting. I see positive change happening at the PA and I’m excited to see what the future holds for us.”

Mike D

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ski

Employee Profile: Jaime Garcia

LaGuardia Airport Physical Plant & Redevelopment Program Manager Audrey Dagnachew is the recipient of the Harlem

YMCA’s Black Achiever in Industry Award for the Port Authority. She will be honored at the organization’s 45th annual BAI awards ceremony on March 12 in Manhattan.

Ms. Dagnachew, a 20-year Port Authority veteran, was selected on the basis of her professional leadership and accomplishments, dedication and commitment, superb job performance, outstanding communications skills, contributions to her community, and her willingness to share her knowledge and expertise with fellow employees.

Currently, Ms. Dagnachew is managing design and construction for LGA’s $100 million East End Electrical Substation, which will provide power to critical infrastructure throughout the airport, including airfield lighting systems, the air traffic control tower, and Terminals B, C, and D. Concurrently, she is managing a power distribution infrastructure renewal program that is providing a new network of 5,000-volt feeder cables.

LGA Program Manager Wins BAI Award

Audrey Dagnachew.

Alan Hicks

MLK Breakfast

the event together, Ms. Alexander paid tribute to the late Ernesto Butcher, and recognized other late friends, Bill DeCota, Robert Jenkins, Denise Means, and Steve Napolitano, who always will be remembered fondly by their fellow employees.

PAPD Assistant Chief Norma Hardy was presented the NBE Leadership Award by Rochelle Joyner. NBE Member William Brown III was presented the Community Service Award by John Miller.

The theme of this year’s breakfast was “Commit to Serve in the Face of Adversity.” The guest speaker, Gloria Strickland of the New Jersey All Stars Project, told her story of success in the face of adversity, getting to the point where she now helps thousands of disadvantaged youths succeed every day. Ms. Strickland’s story, achievements, and contributions to the success of others compelled many attendees to sign up at the breakfast as mentors/volunteers for the All Stars Project.

NBE President Derek Hawkins said, “The MLK Breakfast somehow gets better and better each year. Today’s event was no exception. It never ceases to amaze us how our theme ultimately aligns with the signs of the times. At a time when there is a growing divide between law enforcement and the communities they serve, we recognized Norma Hardy who represents the best in law enforcement and William Brown, who epitomizes Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideal of committing to serve in the community.”

Continued from page 1

PA Airports

Systemwide, there were an estimated 75.2 million domestic and 41.9 million international fliers – both new agency records.

JFK led the way with a record estimated 53.2 million passengers, while LGA also set a new high with 26.9 million travelers. EWR set

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5PA News / January 30, 2015

The Port Authority this week announced it has selected Cushman & Wakefield, the global

commercial real estate services firm, as the exclusive retail agent for the PA Bus Terminal.

PABT/LT General Manager Diannae Ehler said the PA has made significant progress through the Quality of Commute Program in making significant operational enhancements. “The next step,” she said, “is improving the customer experience inside the terminal, and we believe that Cushman & Wakefield’s expertise will lead to more and better retail offerings for 225,000 daily commuters.” Visit www.panynj.gov/press-room to read more.

PA Selects PABT Retail Agent

Port Authority Shomrim Society President Scot Pomerantz was re-elected 2nd Vice President of the National

Conference of Shomrim Societies this month at the national organization’s annual convention at sea aboard Celebrity’s Silhouette.

Betty Astrizky, the PA Shomrim Chapter’s 1st Vice President, was re-elected Corresponding Secretary for the National Board; PA Shomrim Member Henri Portner was re-elected Assistant Sergeant at Arms, and Marsha Hochstadt, the PA Shomrim Secretary, was selected as the Eastern Region Representative for National Shomrim.

“The PA Shomrim Society is proud to have so many of its members serving on the National Board,” Lieutenant Pomerantz said. If you’re interested in joining the organization, reach out to him at spomerantz@panynj.gov, Ms. Astrizky at bastrizky@panynj.gov or Ms. Hochstadt at mhochstadt@panynj.gov.

From left (front row): PAPD Sergeant Aaron Greenstein and his wife Barbara, Betty Astrizky, Police Officer Leon Staley, (back row) Scot Pomerantz, Marsha Hochstadt, and Police Officer Henri Portner.

Douglas Portner

PA Shomrim Officers Elected To National Conference

The Port Authority Hispanic Society held its annual Three Kings Celebration at the Beekman Pub in Lower Manhattan on January 23. About 70 members, other PA employees, and friends attended and were treated to

a tango demonstration by PAHS Treasurer Vanessa Fernandez and her dance partner Daniel.

PAHS Event Takes 70 to Tango

Vanessa Fernandez and Daniel cut the rug.

Photos: Alan Hicks

PAHS Board members at the event (from left): Julie Lomba, Raul Rodriguez, Christopher Perez, Vice President Charlotte Colon Alvarez, Treasurer Vanessa Fernandez, President Elizabeth Reyes, and Secretary Sandra Lillo.

PA AirportsContinued from page 4

another record with 11.7 million international passengers.

Executive Director Pat Foye said, “These robust, record airline passenger numbers support the PA’s plans to invest more than $8 billion to modernize its airports over the coming decade. Our gateway airports are major economic engines for the region, and an important source of job creation.”

Deputy Executive Director Deb Gramiccioni said, “Growth in passenger use of our airports is critical to the region’s economic health, and the Port Authority will continue to make the investments necessary to keep travelers coming to New Jersey and New York. State-of-good-repair and robust modernization programs will remain a priority at all our commercial airports.”

The PA’s airports support more than 550,000 jobs, nearly $80 billion in annual economic activity, and more than $28 billion a year in wages. Visit www.panynj.gov/press-room to read more.

It’s All About You

PA News is primarily about theagency’s employees andretirees. If you want to submit

something to be published, think“PA names and faces.”

On Outlook, send it to panews.From outside the agency, it’spanews@panynj.gov.

PA News is published weekly andis archived – and searchable – onEmployeeNet.

The PA & YouFlu Shots Available

The PA is providing employees withseasonal flu vaccinations at its four clinics.Just walk in during the hours below.

• PATC – 241 Erie Street, Room 224,Monday to Friday, 8 to 9 a.m. and1 to 2 p.m.

• JSTC – 1 PATH Plaza, Concourselevel, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, andThursdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and2 to 3 p.m.

• PAS – 233 Park Ave. South, 8th floor,Monday to Friday, 10 to 11 a.m. and2 to 3 p.m.

• JFK – Bldg. 22A, Monday to Friday,8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ClosedWednesdays.

In the market for a pair of end tables?Apartment hunting in Nutley ? Visit TradingPost on EmployeeNet.

Discount Program

Port Authority employees and retireescan take advantage of hundreds ofdiscounts 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.

To keep up with news on the PAand its impact on the regionaleconomy, you can sign up to

receive the agency’s e-mail newsletter,Growing the Region.

To subscribe, visit:http://www.panynj.gov/about/newslet-ters.html and click “Sign up here.”

Spread the word about GTR to yourcontacts outside the agency andencourage them to subscribe.

Get PA NewsIf you’d like PA News sent to your

personal e-mail address, send a note topanews@panynj.gov.

PARA Wants You

The 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 infor-mation and to sign up for PARA’s e-mail bulletins.

at Home

All employees who have PortAuthority Outlook accountscan access EmployeeNet from

home or any other outsidelocation with Internet access. Just

type paenet.panynj.gov and enter yourNovell ID and password.

The site is for use only by authorizedindividuals and will not work from youroffice computer.

Flu Shots AvailableThe PA is providing

free flu shots toemployees. Click herefor details

A ll employees who have Port Authority Outlook accounts can access EmployeeNet from home or any other outside location with Internet access. Just type paenet.panynj.gov and enter your Novell ID and

password. The site is for use only by authorized individuals and will not work from your office computer.