PA NEWSPublished biweekly for Port Authority and PATH employees February 22, 2016/Volume 15/Number 4

Michael D

onovan

Port Raises Dial on Cargo Volume

L ast edition, PA Newsreported on therecord-breaking

number of passengers thatPort Authority airportsaccommodated in 2015.This time, the focus shiftsfrom the air to the sea –and from record passengernumbers to record cargovolumes. The Port of New York

and New Jersey last yearhandled 3,664,013 cargocontainers, exceeding theprevious cargo record set in 2014 bymore than 10 percent, and preservingits distinction as the busiest port onthe East Coast. The port also set arecord in terms of the number of containers moved via ExpressRail, thePA’s ship-to-rail system. ExpressRail handled 522,244 containers, anincrease of 12.2 percent over 2014,which was a record year itself.“We want to be the best maritime

gateway in the United States, andthese impressive numbers show weare making progress to achieve thatgoal,” said Port Commerce DirectorMolly Campbell.The two consecutive years of

record growth also resulted in substantial increases in port-associated job and economic activity.According to the New York ShippingAssociation, the port generates336,600 full-time jobs in the region, a 13 percent increase over 2012, and contributes to $21.2 billion inpersonal income and nearly $53.5 billion in business income. On

the labor front, 181 longshoremen,44 checkers, and 62 mechanics werehired in 2015 to work at port facilities.“The significant infrastructure

investments we have made in ourport continue to drive job growth andeconomic activity in the region, andhave set the table for continued long-term growth,” said ExecutiveDirector Pat Foye. “Moving forward,we will continue to work in partnership with all port stakeholdersso we can efficiently and effectivelyhandle greater volumes of cargo inthe years to come.”There is one notable decrease to

report, which is just as consistent asthe ever-increasing cargo numbers:port air pollutants. Since 2006, port emissions have decreased by 33 percent, thanks to the agency’songoing environmental initiatives.Click here to read more.

FAPS, Inc.’s terminal at Port Newark.

Mike D

ombrow

ski

CommissionersEnjoy OculusPreview

F ollowing the February 18 Boardmeeting, Chief of Major CapitalProjects Steve Plate (second

from right) guided (from left)Commissioners George R.Laufenberg, Michael D. Fascitelli,and William “Pat” Schuber on awalk-through of the World TradeCenter Transportation Hub’s Oculus.The Commissioners thoroughlyenjoyed their sneak peek of the world-class facility, which will officiallyopen to the public in less than three weeks.

Retirement NewsOBDCR’s Robert Foreman and

Procurement’s Laurie Spencer have completed their Port Authority missions.Celebrate with them on February 24, 4:30to 6:30 p.m., at Ryan Maguire’s Ale Housein Lower Manhattan. See the bulletinfor details.

Engineering’s Angelos Zafirelis has hiscooler and trip blanks packed. Wish himwell on March 10, 1:30 p.m., at Zylo, located in the W Hotel in Hoboken. Seethe bulletin for details.

PA News / February 22, 2016 2

PA Helps Host Italian President’s First WTC Visit

C hief of Major Capital ProjectsSteve Plate and World TradeCenter’s Glenn Guzi on

February 10 served as hosts for ItalianPresident Sergio Mattarella during hisfirst-ever visit to the WTC site.The WTC was one of the stops on

President Mattarella’s first officialseven-day trip to the United States,during which he also met with members of the United Nations attheir Manhattan headquarters andwith President Barack Obama at theWhite House.“Ambassadors” Plate and Guzi had

the honor of escorting PresidentMattarella around the 9/11 Memorialplaza, where Mr. Mattarella paid hisrespects to the people lost 14 yearsago by laying flowers at the south pool. As with past dignitaries who visit

the WTC, Mr. Guzi presented the president with a gold-tone WTC lapelpin on behalf of the Port Authority.

Mr. Guzi said that the president was moved and inspired by what he saw and what the Port Authorityhas accomplished, and that he felt theWTC Transportation Hub’s Oculus was inspirational, uplifting, and a perfect balance to the memorial andOne WTC.

Chief of Major Capital Projects Steve Plate andGlenn Guzi (second and third from right,respectively) host Italian President SergioMattarella (second from left) on his tour of the 9/11 Memorial plaza.

Mercedes G

uzman

A Night at the Movies In celebration of Black History Month,

the Port Authority Network of BlackEmployees will host a movie screening ofSomething the Lord Made on February 24,5 to 7 p.m., at 4 World Trade Center, 22ndfloor, Conference Rooms A and B. Themovie, starring Mos Def and the late AlanRickman, is based on the true story ofVivien Thomas, a surgical technician who in the 1940s pioneered procedures to treat blue baby syndrome. See the bulletinfor details.

LWMC Meeting The Last Wednesday of the Month Club

of Port Authority retirees will meet at noonon February 24 at In Napoli Restaurant inFort Lee, NJ. Contact Tony Coppolecchiaat acoppolecc@verizon.net for more info.

PARPA MeetingThe next meeting of the Port Authority

Retired Police Association is set for March 7, 8 p.m., at the V.F.W. post inSecaucus. Attendees are invited to enjoybeer and pizza, share opinions andupdates, motion and vote on proposals,and catch up with old friends. See the bulletin for more information.

JFK Retirees Meet-UpThe JFK Retirees group will have a

luncheon on March 9, noon to 3 p.m., atPompei Ristorante in West Hempstead, NY.For information on how to RSVP, see thebulletin.

Calendar

Wanted: Talent Ambassadors

H uman Resources is looking for Port Authorityemployees and retirees to

serve as Talent Ambassadors – volunteer roles in which you willhave the opportunity to help recruitcapable and qualified people interested in joining the agency’smission.As a Talent Ambassador, you will

be invited to promote the PA atcareer fairs and networking eventsat universities, trade schools, andother venues throughout the bistateregion; educate job seekers aboutthe variety of career opportunities at the PA; and share posts from the PA’s socialmedia profiles. This is a great way to develop your interpersonal skills, expand yourprofessional network, and help individuals looking for a fulfilling career.Interested employees should read the full bulletin for program requirements

and instructions on how to apply. Retirees can read the bulletin on the PARA website. The deadline to apply is February 29, 2016. If you have questions,email Michael Lee at mrlee@panynj.gov.

LGA’s Kim Payne (right) and HRD’s FrancesLibenzon (far back) connect with job fair attendees and share with them the variouscareer opportunities available at the PA.

Conrad Barclay

Got CalendarNews?Send information about events to

panews@panynj.gov or call 10-6403.

Trading PostOpen for BusinessGot a car to sell, or looking to rent a

ski chalet in Vermont?Check out Trading Post. If you have

something to sell to your colleagues, orsomething you want to buy, go toEmployee News on the EmployeeNethome page, click on Trading Post, and complete the form. Retirees can e-mailtheir items to panews@panynj.gov.

PA News / February 22, 2016 3

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

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

AchievementsChief Traffic EngineerRecognized Last month, the Institute of

Transportation Engineers – MetropolitanSection of New York and New Jersey (ITE Met Section) honored Chief TrafficEngineer Jose Rivera with its 2015 Ivor S.Wisepart Transportation Engineer Award.

This award is given to traffic engineerswho demonstrate outstanding dedicationto the ITE and make continued contributions to the transportation-engineering field.Mr. Rivera is a 33-year Port Authority

veteran. His significant contributions whileat the PA include launching the 24/7Agency Operations Center, and employinga Traffic Safety Improvement Program toachieve an overall reduction in traffic crashes across all facilities, despite steadytraffic growth.

Chief of Design Holds CourtEngineering Chief of

Design Csaba Kerteszhad the distinct honorof serving as a judge inthe American Council ofEngineering Companies'2016 EngineeringExcellence Awards competition fromFebruary 5 to 7 in Chantilly, VA. Considered the “Academy Awards of

the engineering industry,” the competitionhonors the year’s most outstanding accomplishments by engineering firms worldwide.Mr. Kertesz joined a group of about 30

distinguished judges from the engineering,government, media, and academic fields.Judges rated submissions based on various criteria, including uniqueness andinnovative application; future value to theengineering profession; social, economic,and sustainable development considerations; complexity; and the successful fulfillment of client/owner needs. Port Authority employees have been

participating in the competition as contestants and judges for the last 10 years. Past PA judges include ChiefEngineer James Starace and his predecessor Peter Zipf.

PAPD Assistant ChiefRecognizedPAPD Assistant Chief Norma Hardy

was one of six African-American lawenforcement officers honored at the PoliceStudies Institute (PSI) at the College ofSaint Elizabeth’s annual Black HistoryMonth Celebration on February 11.The honorees were presented with a

2016 Black History Award in recognition for the positive impact they have made in the community throughout their lawenforcement career – which for AssistantChief Hardy spans nearly 25 years. The annual event is hosted by PSI in association with the National Organizationof Black Law Enforcement Executives’Northern NJ Chapter and the NationalOrganization of Black Women in LawEnforcement’s Newark, NJ Chapter.

Pictured are (from left) PAPD DeputyChief Matthew Wilson, Captain StevenYablonsky, Security Business ResourceManagement & Planning Director ClaudiaDickey, Assistant Chief Hardy, her motherFlo Tate, PO Rosa Rizzo, LieutenantMichelle Serrano, and Sergeant LawandaIrving.

From left: John Biront, Jr., ITE MetSection Director and New JerseyTurnpike Authority Traffic Engineer;Jose Rivera, Port Authority Chief TrafficEngineer and Ivor S. Wisepart Awardrecipient; and Amir Rizavi, ITEPresident and VHB Director ofTransportation Systems.

Jennifer Bates

Laurie Machen

T he Port Authority‘s Voice of the Employee (VOICE) provides staff with a

confidential way to report any issuesor concerns, anonymously if theychoose, without reprisal. The helplineis available seven days a week, 24hours a day, and 365 days a year viaphone (866 279-6844), online(https://panynjvoice.tnwreports.com),or e-mail (panynjvoice@tnwinc.com).

You Have a Voice

Conrad Barclay

PA to Host IWD Event, Legend to Speak

A new Port Authority Women Employee Resource Group(currently in formation) will host the agency’s inauguralInternational Women’s Day event on March 8, 8:30 to 11

a.m., in the Board Room at 4 World Trade Center.The event will celebrate the many accomplishments of women

at the PA. Joining the event as keynote speaker will be LillianBorrone, a former Port Authority Assistant Executive Director andPort Commerce Director, and current Chairman of the Eno Center for Transportation(Eno). In addition, Assistant Chief Engineer/Operations Denise Berger will moderatea panel of distinguished women at the PA who will share their insights and experiences. Panelists will include Port Commerce Director Molly Campbell, JFKOperations Manager April Gasparri, OBDCR Civil Rights Program Manager JackieGrossgold, Leadership Fellow Jessica Mathew, PA Police Lieutenant LaurenPrevite, and Engineer of Projects Catherine Valenzano. For more details, including how to RSVP, view the bulletin.

Eno

PA News / February 22, 2016 4

CSO, CTO Cybersecurity Tip #2: Don’t Be ‘Ph’ooled by Phishing

Phishing is defined as an attempt by an individual or group to solicit personalinformation from unsuspecting computer users. This is done by sending computerusers e-mail messages that resemble those from a legitimate organization, similarto the following:

“We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that youraccount has not been compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity.”

“During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn't verify your information.Please click here to verify or update your information.”

“Our records indicate that your account has been overcharged. You must callus within seven days to receive your refund.”

These tips will help you defend against phishing attacks:1. Don’t open e-mails that are unusual or unexpected, even if you recognize the sender.

2. Limit the amount of information you include on social media accounts; don’tpost personal information that can be used in phishing attacks.

3. If you receive an e-mail asking for your personal information, don’t respondto the e-mail or click on links or attachments in the e-mail. The Port Authoritywill not request personal information via an e-mail.

VS.

MBD Starts Chinese New Year ‘in the Red’

O n February 11,Management &Budget staffers

showed their team spirit in commemorating theChinese New Year by wearing red, a symbol ofgood luck in Chinese culture. According to theChinese zodiac, 2016(4713 in the Chinese calendar) is the Year of theMonkey, a time to take risksand start new endeavors. So, MBD wishes

everyone good luck in 2016!

Back row, from left: Harry Czinn, Juan Luna, JeremyGoldstein, Ty Berry, Arthur Ramee, Frantz Bricourt,Michael Shannon, Renner Rachel, Mustafa Turan, EvelynShapiro, and Mark Klinghoffer. Front row, from left:Stephen Poon, MBD Director Janet Cox, David Cremins,Ying Chen, Fatima Castellanos, Jonelle Nurse, MadeleineVasquez-Rivera, Annie Persaud, Annesa Lau, CatherineLeGendre, and Genna Westwood.

Barbara Davis

In MemoriamCheralynn Thiel

Gilligan passed away on February 8. She issurvived by her husband, John.Ms. Gilligan joined

the Port Authority onMarch 4, 1985. At thetime of her death, she held the position of Staten Island Bridges General PatronServices Supervisor in Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals.

Quacian Dilworth passed away onTuesday, February 9. Ms. Dilworth is survived by her daughters, QuerondraKaydee, Leondra Dianne-Que, and Quaisha.Ms. Dilworth joined the Port Authority

on November 3, 2003. At the time of herdeath, she held the position of TollCollector in Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals atthe George Washington Bridge.

Michael Williams passed away onFebruary 10. Mr. Williams is survived by hismother, Yvonne Bowsky; father, Franklin D.Williams; and sister, Pier Williams-Miller.Mr. Williams joined the Port Authority

on June 29, 1987. At the time of hisdeath, he held the position of TollCollector in Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals atthe George Washington Bridge.

Elise Bastardopassed away onFebruary 12 frominjuries suffered after asingle-car accident onFebruary 6. She is survived by her parents, Susan and John Bastardo.Ms. Bastardo joined the Port Authority

in 2014, after graduating from the 113thPolice Academy Class. At the time of herdeath, she held the position of PoliceOfficer in Public Safety at Newark LibertyInternational Airport.

Moses Ukejianya passed away onFebruary 14. He is survived by his wife,Lynn; his daughters, Gabriella andElizabeth; and his son, Ifeanyi.Mr. Ukejianya joined the Port Authority

on May 15, 1995. At the time of hisdeath, he held the position of ProjectManager in the Aviation Department atNewark Liberty International Airport.

Theresa DellaBarca

PA News / February 22, 2016 5

Thank You, Alan and Connie

P A News would like to recognize two employeeswho have played important,

longstanding roles in reporting the stories of the Port Authority and itspeople: Audio/Visual & Photo Services’ Alan Hicks and Marketing’sConnie Nardella, who are retiringafter 30 and 35 years of service,respectively.

Over the last decade, Mr. Hicks hasprovided PA News with countless photos to vibrantly illustrate keymoments in Port Authority history. Ms. Nardella has served as a proof-reader for hundreds of PA Newseditions, lending her expert eye tocatch those elusive typos.Before PA News editor Bill Cahill

retired, he assured his replacementthat there would be friends to look tofor help and support. He was not kidding.

PA News thanks Mr. Hicks and Ms. Nardella, and congratulates themon reaching this major milestone.

The dynamic duo, “Lens Jockey” AlanHicks and Connie “Five-O” Nardella.

PA Staffers Mentor Region’s ‘Future City’ Designers

P ort Authority veterans oftenshare a common theme whendiscussing their career: the

importance of a having a mentor, who can provide someone with themotivation, support, and guidance they need, especially when they aredetermining the next step to take in their lives. Taking this theme to heart, several PA

employees volunteered last month atthe annual New York and New Jerseyregional Future City competitions byserving as mentors to the participants –middle school students interested in science, technology, engineering, andmathematics. The future master builders competed

by using SimCity software to design their “city of the future,” building a scale model and making a formal presentation. They also completed atechnical essay. This year’s essay themewas “Waste Not, Want Not.” Aviation Civil Engineer Scott

Lubarsky organized the New Jerseycompetition and coordinated the PA’s participation. Assistant AirportMaintenance Manager Jason Del Nerohelped coordinate the PA’s participationin New York. PA volunteers mentoredthe competing schools, judged the competition, and participated in a “Meet the Professionals” session with the students.Each year, about 30,000 students from across the nation compete for a chance

to travel to Washington, DC, and win the national prize – a week of Space Campat NASA’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.The regional winners were Valley View Middle School in Watchung, NJ, and

Islip Middle School in Islip, NY. To learn more about the competition, visitwww.futurecity.org.

At the New Jersey regional competition atRutgers University’s Livingston Campus are(from left) Engineering’s Beth Rivera, Ryan Laub, Fernando Bermudez, Jr., Scott Lubarsky, and Andrea Almeida. Notpictured: Melissa Targett and TejkiranDesai. Also volunteering were BenjaminEngle, Sara Le, and Muhammad Elgammal.

At the New York regional competition at P.S. 126 Manhattan Academy of Technologyare (from left) Yves Veve, Rumana Haque,Jami Bjornstad, and Jason Del Nero.

at Home

A ll employees who have PortAuthority Outlook accountscan access EmployeeNet

from home or any other outside location with Internet access. Just

type paenet.panynj.gov and enter yourWindows ID and password.The site is for use only by authorized

individuals and will not work from youroffice computer.

GotAchievements?Have you received a degree, award,

professional distinction, or other recognition? PA News wants to tell your fellow employees about it. E-mail yourinformation to panews@panynj.gov.

Theresa DellaBarca