Andre’ Masud is the Owner and CEO of MSQ Construction and Development Group, LLC.  MSQ, LLC provides professional services in Construction Management, Real Estate Development, Landscaping and Green Infrastructure (Engineered Commercial Landscaping).  MSQ, LLC seeks to become a full-service development firm to build communities.  Its in-house capability will include site planning and layout, design and engineering of housing, buildings and facilities including Green Infrastructure projects, single and multi-family homes, Houses of Worship, Community Centers and commercial business complexes to serve the employment needs of the community residents.  MSQ, LLC will implement in its design and construction activities Green Building technologies and seek LEED Certification of its buildings.

Growing up along the Hackensack River, Captain Bill Sheehan has witnessed decades of devastation and has dedicated his career to cleaning up the Hackensack River and its watershed. His journey to restore the Hackensack River and its watershed, which includes the Meadowlands—an essential east coast estuary—includes his startup of Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.. Captain Bill has served as the organizations Riverkeeper and Executive Director since 1997. Hackensack Riverkeeper, is one of the original founding members of the Waterkeeper Alliance, an international coalition of over 300 clean water advocates working for waterways across the globe. In the past, Bill has served on their Waterkeeper Council—one of the Alliance’s governing boards—as their Northeast Regional Representative.

Prior to joining forces with the Waterkeeper Alliance, Bill was a founding member of the Hackensack Estuary and River Tenders (HEART) organization. He is a lifetime member of the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association and in past years has served on their board as their Environmental Director. Captain Bill is a member and the current vice-chairman of the Bergen County Trust Fund Public Advisory Committee where he advises Bergen County Freeholders on funding recommendations for Open Space, Farmland, and Historic preservations. He is also the current chairman of the Meadowlands Conservation Trust, the agency charged with acquiring, holding and managing conservation properties in the Meadowlands and throughout the Hackensack River watershed. Captain Bill Sheehan and Hackensack Riverkeeper have been recognized for their work on numerous occasions by the media, government, and the environmental and business communities.

Brandon Holsten is a Project Manager for the EPA Region 2 Superfund Program, based out of NYC. Brandon manages the cleanup at the Pierson’s Creek Superfund site, a portion of the Universal Oil Products Superfund site, and is one of the project managers for the Lower Hackensack River Superfund site. Brandon received a B.S. in Biology from Furman University where he focused on ecology and political science. Before Brandon joined the EPA in early 2024, he worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in North Dakota and then joined the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Case Management where he worked on several large scale and environmentally complex sites, including several Superfund, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Formerly Used Defense Sites.

Chris coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure (MGI) Program at New Jersey Future, which fosters community resilience to climate change while promoting economic, environmental, and social benefits. Prior to joining New Jersey Future, Chris served as a NJ Watershed Ambassador through AmeriCorps, helping municipalities fulfill their MS4 Permit requirements. Chris holds a B.A. in Political Science from The College of New Jersey.

Tyler Taba joined Waterfront Alliance in January 2022 as the senior manager for climate policy and was quickly promoted to director of resilience. He is charged with developing climate change policy and strategy, leading the coordination and convening of the Rise to Resilience coalition, and identifying changes and trends in climate change that affect and dictate new strategy. Tyler brings five years of experience in public policy, specific to climate resilience and adaptation, across the northeast region of the United States. Working at the local, state, and federal level, he has advanced funding, legislation, planning, and infrastructure projects to protect the region from flood risks. Prior to joining Waterfront Alliance, Tyler worked at the National Parks Conservation Association on resilience and adaptation for coastal national parks, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an environmental floodplain specialist, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation on stormwater management.

Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP has more than 30 years of experience in community economic development, creative placemaking, and leadership development. He has a track record of building diverse alliances and teams to address critical issues facing communities.

Leo coordinates Hackensack River Nation, an alliance of more than 40 leaders representing municipalities, nonprofit organizations and businesses who seek to protect the Hackensack River Watershed ecosystem and connect more people to the Hackensack River. He also developed the Hackensack Environmental Justice Alliance, a resident-led group of more than 230 people seeking to address flooding and other environmental problems facing the city. Through the Foundation’s Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice initiative, Leo led the creation of a rain garden, public information activities, and a public art project. He is developing a green infrastructure plan to reduce flooding, reduce water pollution, and address heat island effects in Hackensack.

In 2024, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation received an Environmental Achievement Award from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.

Leo is coordinating the Hackensack River Nation Summit. Please feel free to contact him at leo@nnjcf.org or 201-568-5608, x2

Session: Green Infrastructure Leaves and Branches

Keith Parham (aka KP) is a thoughtful, visionary problem solver.  In his current role, he leads a construction management company focused on building decarbonization & energy efficiency that partners with building owners/managers and organizations to combat the impacts of climate change.   Keith is passionate about the environment and he believes that he is saving the planet one building at a time.

Keith is the Founder & CEO of United Energy Advisors, a company he launched in March 2017.  Keith was introduced to energy efficiency and sustainability in 2012 during his 5 years at Lockheed Martin where his teams managed energy efficiency incentive programs for utilities around the country.

Prior to conducting energy audits, helping buildings maintain compliance, installing LED lighting, and upgrading HVAC systems, Keith sold voice & data networks, equipment, and network security for Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group and other large competitive carriers.  He has over 30 years of experience working in the commercial & industrial, small business, and multi-family building sectors.

Keith is an accredited green professional, a national green infrastructure certified professional, a certified training instructor, and he is currently pursuing his Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and LEED AP certifications.

Keith is a husband, a dad of three adult daughters, and he’s recently blessed with a grandson. He loves cooking for family and friends, music, sports, live entertainment, and traveling the world.  His ultimate goal and prayer is that he measures up to God’s plan for his life.

Peter Dolan joined the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference staff in 2013 and serves as Trail Program Manager, where he heads the organization’s team of Program Coordinators and professional Trail Builders. This team executes programs and projects across over 200 land management units and 2,150 trail miles, including long-distance trails such as the Appalachian Trail, Long Path, and Highlands Trail. One of his particular focus areas is the creation of comprehensive trail plans and network overhauls. In addition, he is a sitting member of NJDEP’s New Jersey Trails Council, the Chief Consulting Trail Designer for the Blue Mountains Trails Project in Jamaica, and a regular speaker at events such as the International Trails Symposium, NJ Land Conservation Rally, and NJ Trails Summit. In his free time, Peter volunteers as an active team member with local wilderness Search & Rescue.

Tom is a licensed professional planner, policy expert, university instructor and nonprofit executive with over three decades of experience in the public, private, nonprofit and academic sectors. He’s been an independent consultant to nonprofit and philanthropic organizations and an instructor at two major research universities. He is currently a part-time lecturer at the Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University, where he teaches Comprehensive Planning and Planning & Land Use Administration.

Tom served as President, CEO and Publisher of Next City – a nonprofit organization that inspires social, economic and environmental change in cities through journalism and events. Tom was Senior Policy Advisor to two Governors, founded the Center for Resilient Design and taught Land Use Planning and Infrastructure Planning at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He is a Certified Public Manager, Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and an Alumni Member of the Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization. Tom serves as Vice President of Policy at the American Planning Association – New Jersey Chapter and was awarded the B. Budd Chavooshian Award for Outstanding Professional Planner.

Congressman Robert J. Menendez represents the place where he grew up and that he calls home, New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District. The District includes most of Hudson County, the East and North Wards of the City of Newark in Essex County, and the City of Elizabeth in Union County. He was first sworn in on January 3, 2023.

Raised in Union City as the grandson of Cuban immigrants and strong union members, Rob was born to a community leader and a public school educator who instilled in him at an early age the spirit and value of public service and giving back to his community.

Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives, Rob served as a Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He was the first Latino from New Jersey to serve on the Board and the first millennial Port Authority Commissioner. Rob served as Chair of the Governance and Ethics Committee and was a member of the Finance Committee, which exercises oversight over the agency’s multi-billion dollar budget. During his time as a Commissioner, the Port Authority – through the leadership of its dedicated staff and employees – completed several critical infrastructure projects, including some of the Port Authority’s largest investments benefitting New Jersey commuters, most notably Newark Liberty International Airport’s $2.7 billion state-of-the-art Terminal A, expansion of the PATH’s capacity with its nine-car train project, planning for a new Midtown Bus Terminal, and record-setting activity at its ports.

An attorney, Rob previously worked at the national law firm of Lowenstein Sandler LLP. At Lowenstein, Rob served as outside counsel to a wide range of companies in the finance and technology spaces, often working with founders and executives of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. His work helped to enable their success and promoted growth in their communities. He also worked with The Lowenstein Sandler Center for the Public Interest to serve communities and clients in need of pro bono representation.

Rob is a strong proponent of increasing affordability, battling climate change, increasing the supply of affordable housing, making neighborhoods safer from senseless gun violence, and investing in mass transit and transportation infrastructure – all issues that impact residents of the Eighth Congressional District on a daily basis.

Rob currently sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the Subcommittees on Energy, Environment, and Communications and Technology.  He also serves as a Regional Whip for the House Democratic Caucus, a position that assists the Democratic Whip operation to track votes and legislation that will move the House Democrats’ agenda forward.

In the 119th Congress, Rob has joined several caucuses, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where he serves as the Vice Chair of Policy.

Paula co-leads New Jersey Future’s Collective Impact program areas and advances New Jersey Future’s organizational development goals. Her primary responsibility is managing the Jersey Water Works collaborative and convening a diverse statewide network of people who are shifting the culture and thinking around the state’s water policy issues.

Within the collaborative, Paula also promotes water workforce initiatives. Paula serves on the board at The Watershed Institute, is a Lead NJ Alumni (Class of 2024), and serves on the advisory board of Younity (formerly Womanspace, Inc). With over 20 years of experience in nonprofits and higher education, she has a strong track record of connecting people to resources and developing impactful programs. In 2019, Paula cofounded MAPA Collaborative, a management consulting firm. Paula received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University. Paula lives with her husband, two daughters, and near her sister and mother; they are the cornerstone of her life.

Jennifer LaPoma is a Project Manager for the EPA Region 2 Superfund Program, based out of NYC.  Jennifer manages the cleanup process for multiple Superfund sites. She graduated with a Master of Science in geoscience from Montclair State University. Jennifer started her career in Region 2 in 2009 working primarily on whether sites are eligible for the National Priorities List. In 2011, she became a project manager and has since worked on several sediment Superfund sites including the Lower Hackensack, Diamond Alkali – Lower Passaic River, and the Hudson River. She is a NJ native – born in Belleville and grew up in Morris County, where she still lives with her family. Her early interest in the environment and cleanups is credited to her father, a retired plumber and pipefitter from NJ Plumbers Local 24, who would often share his experiences working at many of the industrial facilities in northern NJ.

Josh Smeraldi is a Project Manager for the EPA Region 2 Superfund Program, based out of NYC. Josh manages the cleanup of the Riverside Industrial Park Superfund site and is one of the project managers for the Lower Hackensack River Superfund site. Josh received his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of California, Irvine where he investigated the fate and transport of nanoscale particles in wastewater treatment processes. He worked at DC Water in Washington D.C. investigating methods to improve wastewater treatment efficiency. Josh started working for the EPA in 2014 at its headquarters in Washington DC where he assisted EPA regions with the cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated sites and evaluated/approved destruction technologies for PCBs. Josh then transferred to the EPA Region 2 Superfund program to be a project manager in 2019.

Shereen Kandil supervises the Community Involvement and Engagement Section within the Environmental Justice, Community Engagement, and Environmental Review Division at EPA Region 2, based out of NYC. Shereen also serves as a Community Involvement Coordinator for high profile Superfund sites. Shereen joined the EPA’s Office of International and Tribal Affairs (Washington, DC) in 2008 and served in multiple roles, including the Public Participation Specialist, Communications Director, and Middle East/North Africa Program Manager. She moved to the EPA’s Region 2 office (NYC) in 2018 and served as a Community Involvement Coordinator for 9 months before becoming the Team Lead. In 2024, Shereen’s role transitioned to Supervisor. Shereen’s degree in Communications, and her almost 17 years of public participation experience has guided her passion for communicating with and engaging communities in environmental cleanups.