December 11, 2025

Ms. Alexander has advised public and private sector clients regarding environmental, infrastructure, governance and resiliency related issues for over 25 years, and has successfully litigated matters involving a wide variety of environmental laws and regulations.  Her practice focuses on the areas of environmental compliance and permitting for the public and private sectors including, groundwater, stormwater and surface water discharges, as well as, water supply and allocation issues; wastewater discharge pretreatment  and permitting; water quality management planning; user fee and connection fee issues.  She participated in the Stakeholders Group convened by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to revise the NJPDES Regulations, Planning Rules and Surface Water Quality Standards.  She recently participated in the drafting of legislation relevant to connection fees and stormwater utilities.

JOSIE CASTALDO (HOROWITZ)

Environmental Specialist 3, Bureau of Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Josie Castaldo is an Environmental Specialist in the NJDEP Bureau of Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting and has been with the NJDEP for 8 years. She is a Team Leader within the Bureau of Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting and is also the case manager for many domestic and industrial surface water permits, as well as Combined Sewer Management permits. Josie is the primary contact and lead reviewer for surface water permits within the Delaware River Basin Commission’s jurisdiction and permits subject to requirements under section 316 of the Clean Water Act for cooling water intake structures. Josie has a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences from Rutgers University and a Master of Science in Earth Sciences, with a focus in sedimentology and paleoclimatology.

Anthony Coppola, Environmental Engineer 3, NJDEP, Division of Water Quality, Municipal Finance and Construction Element, Bureau of Construction, Payments and Administration, Construction Section

I have worked for DEP for 7 years going on 8 this upcoming February with all that time in the Construction section overseeing the construction being done on Water Bank funded projects. I have been a supervising engineer for the past 1.5 years overseeing multiple engineers and assisting those under my fellow supervisors when they need assistance. MY coworkers and I personally go to the project sites of funded projects and observe the work that is completed by both the contractors and consulting engineers during the day we are the site. I am a graduate of Manhattan University located in Bronx, New York where I earned a degree in mechanical engineering. 

Michael Curley, Section Chief, NJDEP, Division of Water Quality, Municipal Finance and Construction Element, Bureau of Environmental, Engineering and Permitting, Engineering Review Section

Michael Curley has over 37 years of experience with the NJDEP, Municipal Finance and Construction Element, including 36 years with the Construction Section, monitoring construction activities for projects funded through the New Jersey Water Bank.  Michael is currently the Chief of the Engineering Review Section of the Bureau of Environmental, Engineering and Permitting.  The Engineering Review Section is responsible for reviewing and approving the engineering design plans and specifications for projects seeking funding through the New Jersey Water Bank State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing program.  The Section is also responsible for reviewing loan applications, engineering agreements, permit compliance and climate resiliency assessment requirements for New Jersey Water Bank projects, including Drinking Water projects and Clean Water projects.  Michael is a graduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.

Rachel Dawn Davis joined Waterspirit as Public Policy & Justice Organizer in 2020. She holds a Master of Science degree in Nonprofit Management from The New School for Public Engagement and a BA in Economics from Rutgers University. Since 2005, Rachel has built interdisciplinary coalitions around preventative policies, playing a key role in advancing environmental protection in New Jersey and safeguarding water quality across the Delaware River Watershed. She received and inspired awards for her innovative student leadership from Rutgers University and The New School University and is also a Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Certified Green Infrastructure Champion. Rachel Dawn is deeply committed to energizing intergenerational action through legislative advocacy, spreading her passionate message to all who will listen. She is a certified Good Grief Network Facilitator and serves as Chairperson of the premiere Water Advocacy Committee for the Lead Free New Jersey initiative. She has been speaking about the climate crisis since 2005, emphasizing civic engagement, community planning, and the power of preventative policies. Rachel Dawn also volunteers locally with veterans, connecting peace-building with the prevention of war and promoting cognitive health. Outside of work, she finds rejuvenation spending time by water with her family and friends.

Noemi joined Trenton Water Works (TWW) in August 2019. She managed a variety of capital improvement projects until August 2022 when she began managing the Lead Service Line Replacement project. She was part of the team that applied for and obtained an EPA WIIN Grant for lead service line replacements and research with Rutgers University Environmental and Occupational Safety Health Institute (RU-EOHSI). She also manages a leak detection project as part of an NJ BPU Acoustic Leak Detection grant funded study. She has a BSE from Caltech, and an MSE in Civil Engineering – Water Resources from Princeton University. She is a member of the NJ AWWA, and the Jersey Water Work Lead Task Force committee. She volunteers to do water sampling with The Watershed Institute StreamWatch program once per month. She serves on the Lawrence Township Environmental and Green Advisory Committee. In her spare time she enjoys live theatre, writing, yoga and meditation. She and her husband are foodies and enjoy culinary adventures of all kinds. “Water is Life” – “Agua es Vida”.

Anthony Diaz was born and raised in Newark,NJ  where he currently resides and is the oldest of 4 brothers. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Newark Water Coalition, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the city’s lead water crisis and other social justice issues. The Newark Water Coalition is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational community organization. NWC has given out over 500,000 gallons of water and over 500,000lbs of Food along with books and clothes since 2018.  Anthony has traveled nationally and internationally to work on water issues on indigenous lands and rural communities. He believes that people power can win against the interconnected struggles of humanity. He is an avid Star Wars and Anime fan.

Kim Schalek Downes serves as Vice President of Business Development, Government and External
Affairs for New Jersey American Water, the state’s largest regulated water and wastewater utility serving approximately 2.9 million people across the state. She leads strategic initiatives that strengthen partnerships with policymakers and communities, advancing public policy, communications and engagement efforts that support the company’s commitment to providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services.

With over 35 years of experience in government relations, public policy and strategic consulting, Downes brings deep expertise in building partnerships across public and private sectors. Before joining New
Jersey American Water, she was President and CEO of Salmon Ventures, Ltd., a public affairs and management consulting firm she founded in 2003, where she led initiatives for utilities, government
agencies, school districts, and healthcare organizations.

Downes was instrumental in establishing the New Jersey Energy Coalition (NJEC) in 2008, serving as
Chair to guide communications, expand membership and elevate dialogue around energy policy in the
state. Earlier in her career, she held government positions of increasing responsibility, including Aid to
a New Jersey State Assemblyman and Mayor, Grants Director, and Vice President and Executive Coordinator at AUS, Inc., a public sector consulting firm.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Policy and Management
Studies from Dickinson College. Downes currently serves as Vice Chair of the William J. Hughes
Center for Public Policy Advisory Board at Stockton University and sits on the boards of the Battleship
New Jersey and the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of The
CEO Group.

Kristin Epstein, P.E. 

Project Manager, Northeastern U.S. LCR Compliance Coordinator, CDM Smith

Ms. Epstein has ten years of experience in environmental engineering, as well as four years of experience in the drinking water industry, serving as Assistant Director of Trenton Water Works. Her diverse background includes leading the Trenton Water Works Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Program in New Jersey. Ms. Epstein received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in environmental engineering from Princeton University and Johns Hopkins University, respectively.

Alix Fellman joined THT in 2021 as Director of Community Development. She leads projects which promote healthy housing and economic opportunity to improve community health. Prior to joining THT, Alix developed and implemented community development and affordable housing programs in the South Bronx, including launching a neighborhood small business revitalization effort, rebranding and expanding an incubator kitchen, and managing a portfolio of over 550 affordable housing units. She has a well-rounded background in the nonprofit sector, having also held positions in communications, fundraising and operations. Alix is excited to apply her diverse skill set to addressing social determinants of health in Trenton.

Alix received a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from New York University. Alix grew up in North Carolina and spent 17 years in NYC, but has since returned to New Jersey, where she was born.

Paula co-leads New Jersey Future’s Collective Impact program areas with primary responsibility for managing the Jersey Water Works (JWW) collaborative, including new programs and projects, while also advancing organizational development goals of NJF. Paula facilitates JWW’s diverse statewide network of people who are shifting the culture and thinking around one of the state’s leading policy issues: water. Paula has directed various programs in the nonprofit and higher education sectors, and dedicated close to 10 years working on community engagement initiatives at The College of New Jersey. In 2019, Paula cofounded MAPA Collaborative, a management consulting firm. Paula received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University.

Mr. Flynn holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Rutgers University and a Master’s degree from the City University of New York. Mr.Flynn is the Township of Woodbridge Environmental Specialist, Floodplain
Administrator, FEMA – CRS Coordinator, and supports OEM Recovery. He was previously named New Jersey Association for Floodplain Management’s local floodplain management official of the year, and has nearly 20 years of experience in protecting ecological resources, flood mitigation, and environmental policy analysis. His municipal role focuses on enhancing the manner by which the community addresses and improves environmental practices from ecological uplift and climate resilience to compliance with
State and Federal regulation.

Patricia Forgang is an associate and subject matter expert at CDM Smith, based in Edison, New Jersey. With over three decades of professional experience, she specializes in permitting, regulatory compliance and in many cases funding of environmental infrastructure projects. These projects encompass water supply and treatment, industrial and sanitary wastewater collection and treatment, solid and hazardous waste operations, flood and coastal resiliency, water resources, contaminated site remediation, and parklands. Patricia’s extensive experience includes leading or participating in state funding of environmental infrastructure projects located throughout New Jersey totaling over $1.5 billion. She is inspired by helping to move these significant infrastructure projects that are beneficial to the public in an environmentally responsible manner.

Peggy Gallos is the executive director of the Association of Environmental Authorities of NJ. Ms. Gallos began her career as a journalist, covering New Jersey local, county and state issues. She ran her own communications consulting firm, working for local governments, associations, and corporate clients. In 2005, she joined the staff of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities as a speechwriter and later working on energy policy. Ms. Gallos worked on federal energy efficiency matters through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and helped launch a sustainability consulting firm. Her public service includes six years on the Milford Board of Education, three as its president. She served on the boards of the Milford Public Library and Literacy Volunteers of Hunterdon County. Peggy has a bachelor’s degree from New York University and a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University.

Pat Gardner serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Water Resource Management, overseeing the divisions of Water Enforcement, Water Monitoring and Standards & Pesticides Control, Water Quality, and Water Supply and Geoscience. She has worked in the field of environmental protection for more than 30 years, starting her career with the DEP in the Radiation Programs. She joined the Water Resource Management program a decade ago.

As a career DEP employee, Pat has a strong belief in public service and the protection of public health, safety, and the environment.

Dana Patterson Grear is Director of Marketing and Communications for Princeton Hydro, a mission driven ecological engineering consulting firm, where she specializes in stakeholder ‌engagement, branding, proposal & grant writing, and digital media strategy. She is a passionate environmental communicator who has worked across the nonprofit, academic, and private sectors and focuses on values-based ‌‌communication‌ techniques. Dana ‌earned‌ ‌her‌ ‌Master‌ ‌of‌ ‌Environmental‌ ‌Management‌ ‌from‌ ‌Yale‌ ‌University’s School‌ ‌of the Environment ‌and‌ ‌holds‌ ‌a‌ ‌Bachelor of Science ‌in‌ ‌Chemistry‌ ‌from‌ ‌Fairleigh‌ ‌Dickinson‌ ‌University.‌ She volunteers as Co-chair of the Jersey Water Works Stormwater Utility Subcommittee, Board President for Sustainable South Jersey, and First Vice President for the Society of American Military Engineers NJ Post. On weekends, you can find Dana bird watching in parks, capturing nature’s beauty through photography, exploring new trails, and browsing thrift stores.

Jennifer Harris has over 15 years of experience in Civil Engineering, with a primary focus on water and wastewater. She works as a Project Manager at Environmental Resolutions, Inc. in Mount Laurel, NJ. There she helps her clients with their water and wastewater treatment and distribution needs. She is currently working on more wastewater focused projects, but has years of experience with water treatment and distribution. She attended the University of Delaware, where she earned a degree in Civil Engineering, with minors in Environmental Engineering and Women’s Studies. While at UD, she was involved in many groups, including being a Resident Assistant and being a member of Alpha Omega Epsilon, a professional and social sorority for women in engineering and technical sciences. When not working, she enjoys reading and volunteering for Alpha Omega Epsilon and the Society of Women Engineers.

Thomas Horn is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 40 years of experience in wastewater management and utility leadership. He has served as Executive Director of the Lambertville MUA since 2010, following leadership roles at Toms River MUA, Washington Township MUA, and Rockaway Valley Regional Sewerage Authority. Holding S-4 and C-4 operator licenses, he earned his M.S. in Civil Engineering from NJIT and B.S. from Lehigh University. An active member of ASCE, WEF, and the Association of Environmental Authorities, Thomas Horn has been a driving force in advancing sustainable water infrastructure across New Jersey.

Christopher Huch Jr is a senior Resilience Planner at Black & Veatch, supporting resilience planning and ecosystem restoration efforts. With a background in coastal sciences, mitigation, and planning, Chris has spent over 10 years working with communities to reduce hazard risk and increase community resilience. Chris served as lead planner for the 2024 State of New Jersey Hazard Mitigation Plan and has supported hazard mitigation planning in 12 NJ counties and their inclusive municipalities and utilities. Additional focus areas include resilience planning, stakeholder engagement, and the Community Rating System. Christopher Huch Jr is a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and lifelong resident of New Jersey.

Maura Jarvis is a Program Manager at the US Water Alliance, a national nonprofit organization advancing policies and programs that build a sustainable water future for all. She specializes in community engagement, supports arts and culture initiatives, and serves as a liaison for HBCU partnerships. Prior to joining the Alliance, Maura spent seven years working within the Philadelphia Water Department’s (PWD) Public Affairs division. Rising through the ranks from intern to Assistant Manager of the Public Engagement team, she led community outreach for the Green City, Clean Waters stormwater management program and served as PWD’s superhero mascot, Water Woman. A proud Philadelphia native, Maura holds a custom, interdisciplinary degree in Sustainable Product Development from Drexel University and is passionate about advocating for environmental justice and equity in her hometown and beyond.

Yvette Jordan is a retired high school History teacher in Newark Public Schools and an Activist for environmental and social justice. She is a sought-after public speaker on the effects of environmental justice on urban centers and has a keen interest in educating her community on the importance of advocating for safe water. 

Jordan was born and raised in New York City and worked in New York City government for over 20 years. She served as a Policy Analyst for the Dinkins Administration; her area of expertise was youth services. Following the fall of apartheid, Yvette went to South Africa to serve as a Consultant to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) on governance for two (2) years. Following her sojourn to the ‘motherland’, Jordan realized she enjoyed imparting information and training constituencies. She applied to Newark Public Schools and became a History teacher in 2005. Since that time, Yvette has enjoyed teaching high school students African American and US History as well as Social Justice. 

Her activism in Newark began as a founding member of Newark Education Workers Caucus (NEW Caucus), a group of educators committed to fighting for social justice issues within education for all educators, students and their families. Since the lead water crisis in Newark, she has been a fierce advocate for environmental justice. Jordan and her husband, Frank, are homeowners in Newark, NJ.

Dewcon, Inc. is proud to have provided infrastructure rehabilitation services to a wide variety of customers in the Northeastern United States and beyond, for over a decade.

They provide customers with:

• Cleaning and Cement Mortar Lining of Water Mains
• Emergency Water and Sewer Repair
• Water and Sewer Installations
• Slip Lining
• Infrared Paving

They make a commitment of high-quality service to each and every one of our customers.  Let us help you finish your next project on-time and on-budget.

Ellen Kohler joins the Water Center after serving as the Program Director for Water Resources at the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center. Her work there focused on water resource management issues challenging communities in the mid-Atlantic region, particularly supporting multi-municipal collaborations to improve water quality and integrated water planning to address drinking water, wastewater and stormwater management. Addressing these challenges has required rethinking financing strategies that provide more equitable outcomes for communities continuing to experience environmental burdens. She brings more than 25 years of experience addressing the legal, regulatory and policy context of water quality and natural resource challenges. Her career began at the US Department of Justice in Washington DC as a trial attorney in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division handling wildlife litigation. After a move to northern Michigan, she started a business providing natural resources policy and legal services for a range of clients including watershed groups, conservation organizations, tribal governments and local governments. Returning to the mid-Atlantic region in 2012, she helped lead a team developing a funding mechanism for source water protection in the Brandywine-Christina watershed as the project manager for the Delaware Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and provided consulting services to several watershed associations and conservation organizations who all shared a commitment to improving water quality in the Delaware River basin. She received her JD from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her MS from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources (now Environment and Sustainability).

David Kois, PP, AICP, is the Planning Director for Hillsborough Township, where he oversees the Township’s award-winning Sustainability Program. A licensed Professional Planner and certified Zoning Official, David has dedicated more than 14 years to advancing sustainability, planning, and green infrastructure implementation in one of New Jersey’s most consistently recognized Sustainable Jersey communities.

David is also a member of the inaugural class of Rutgers’ Green Infrastructure Champions. In March 2020, He was named Sustainable Jersey’s Sustainability Hero of the Month, recognized for helping transform Hillsborough’s organizational culture by embedding sustainability into departmental goals and objectives across municipal operations. He has long championed cross-departmental collaboration, empowering staff and—especially in recent years—supporting the leadership and accomplishments of Hillsborough’s Sustainability Program Manager, who has driven many of the Township’s most ambitious sustainability achievements. 

Dan Krause serves as the Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Hopeworks, a mission-driven social enterprise nonprofit that connects young adults to life-changing opportunities through paid technical training, real world work experience, and barrier reduction services. In this pivotal leadership role, Dan is responsible for cultivating and managing high-impact partnerships with corporate, government and nonprofit organizations to drive revenue growth and create sustainable career pathways for Young Adults.

With more than 15 years of experience across the Legal, HR, and Education industries, Dan brings a strong foundation in strategic selling, relationship development, and business expansion. He has held senior sales roles at companies such as ADP, ALM, and Amplify, where he consistently exceeded performance targets and played a key role in expanding market share. His ability to align business needs with social impact goals has positioned him as a trusted advisor to clients seeking to integrate social initiatives into their operations while still positively impacting their bottom line.

Dan began his career in education after earning his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Temple University in 2007. He taught in the School District of Philadelphia before transitioning into the private sector, where he honed his skills in sales leadership and organizational growth.

Dan has become a deeply engaged community advocate. He was honored with a Commendation from Camden City Council, the Celebration of Distinction Award by Rutgers Camden, and was selected to serve on the Camden Community Investment Committee (CCIC)—an initiative led by American Water to strengthen partnerships between the private sector, community-based organizations, and local residents.

Dan’s leadership style is collaborative, solutions-focused, and grounded in empathy. Whether he’s mentoring young professionals, developing high-impact campaigns, or facilitating strategic partnerships, Dan brings passion, integrity, and a long-term vision to every endeavor. He also volunteers his time with nonprofits such as Vetri Community Partnership and Amnesty International.

A proud Philadelphia native, Dan now calls South Jersey home. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, cooking, and exploring nature. He is a lifelong learner, driven by a deep belief in the power of relationships and the importance of building equitable communities.

Andrew Kricun is a Managing Director with Moonshot Missions, a non-profit focused on providing technical assistance to water utilities in underserved communities. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director and Chief Engineer of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, operators of an 80 million gallon per day wastewater treatment plant in Camden, NJ. He has 35 years of wastewater and biosolids management experience. He graduated with honors from Princeton University with a degree in chemical engineering. He also holds a professional engineer’s license in civil engineering and is a board-certified environmental engineer as well.

Andy serves on the USEPA’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and also New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council.  He previously served on the board of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and as the chair of its Utility of the Future committee and the Environmental Justice committee. He was the recipient of the Praxis Award for Professional Ethics, the President’s Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the One Water Prize from the US Water Alliance, and Environmental Quality Awards from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. He was also chosen as governmental engineer of the year by the NJ Chapter American Society of Civil Engineers in 2018.

He serves as co-chair for the Jersey Water Works Steering Committee.

Chelsea Kulp has over fifteen years of expertise in strategic communications, public affairs, and community engagement across public, private and nonprofit sectors. In her current position, Kulp is responsible for overseeing all communications and external affairs for New Jersey American Water, including customer education, media relations, issues management, community outreach and education and workforce development programs.

Since joining the company in 2015 as an external affairs specialist, Kulp has advanced through multiple leadership roles and contributed to the team efforts that helped New Jersey American Water achieve the No. 1 ranking in J.D. Power’s Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study for the Northeast Large Region in 2020, 2023, and 2024.

Earlier in her career, she served as project manager for the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey,
where she oversaw marketing, communications, and statewide events that advanced the state’s boating
and marine industries.

Dedicated to her industry, Kulp serves on the Board of Trustees for the American Water Works Association (AWWA) New Jersey Section. In 2024, she was appointed to a three-year term on the
AWWA’s Public Affairs Council, contributing to national discussions on water policy and public
engagement. She also volunteers on the AWWA’s Water 2050 Equity, Access and Community
Engagement Committee. Additionally, she serves on the advisory board for SHARES, a nonprofit that
provides statewide help and referrals to essential services for low-income individuals. A graduate of the
2024 AWWA Transformative Water Leadership Academy, Kulp is currently part of the 2025 Lead New
Jersey cohort, where she is focused on developing solutions for the state’s critical infrastructure
challenges and fostering connections among diverse leaders.

A lifelong New Jersey resident, Kulp earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Policy,
Institutions and Behavior with a minor in Environmental Economics from Rutgers University. She and
her husband also co-own Shore Brake Cyclery, a community-focused bicycle shop in Brant Beach, N.J.
where they champion inclusive cycling and sustainability.

Ms. Prabha Kumar is a Managing Director in Black & Veatch Management Consulting, LLC and
is the national practice leader for the Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Utility Consulting services.
She has over 26 years of utility consulting experience and specializes in assisting utilities with all
phases of stormwater utility development from feasibility studies through implementation and
post-implementation support.

She has assisted several large and small municipalities with stormwater utility services
nationwide and regionally including the cities of Newark, NJ; Hoboken, NJ; Wilmington, DE;
and Philadelphia, PA.

Ms. Kumar is the lead author for the chapter on “Stormwater Feasibility Study” in the guidance
manual titled “User Fee Funded Stormwater Program” published by the Water Environment
Federation (WEF). She is an active contributing member of the NJ Stormwater Utility Adhoc
committee, member of the Stormwater Committee within the National Association of Clean
Water Agencies (NACWA) and WEF.

Enrique joined the ETC/UPT team in 2024 as a Community Organizer for the East Trenton Center, located at 601 N. Clinton Avenue. With a history of dedicated volunteer work at ETC, dating back to its time under Habitat for Humanity, Enrique is deeply committed to bolstering community voices and expanding access to essential resources. He plays a vital role in organizing weekly food distributions and various events that promote resource sharing.

Holding a bachelor’s degree in political science, Enrique is passionate about educating the public and engaging communities within the East Trenton Neighborhood. He leverages his communication skills and political knowledge to build support and awareness, aiming to foster a more connected and informed community.

Governor Philip D. Murphy appointed Shawn M. LaTourette in June 2021 as New Jersey’s Commissioner of Environmental Protection. Commissioner LaTourette is responsible for formulating statewide environmental policy while directing programs that protect public health and ensure the quality of New Jersey’s air, land, water, and natural and historic resources.

Commissioner LaTourette was born and raised in New Jersey. Commissioner LaTourette graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University and earned his
law degree summa cum laude from Rutgers Law School. The Commissioner has vast experience and a deep commitment to equity and protecting vulnerable
communities while facilitating public infrastructure development and advocating for environmental protection.

Larry Levine works with partners around the country—at the federal, state, and local levels—to advance policies and funding that ensure affordable access to safe and sufficient water and sanitation. His work focuses on ensuring that water and sewer service is affordable for all, even as water infrastructure investment increases to meet clean water needs. Larry draws on over 20 years as a clean water advocate and attorney at NRDC and previously worked as a clinical fellow in environmental law at the Georgetown University Law Center. He is a graduate of Tulane University and Yale Law School.

Patricia Lindsay-Harvey is a Commissioner and Chairperson for the Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority (WMUA) and is involved with several other local and statewide organizations. She is also an entrepreneur and a longtime Willingboro resident and activist. Lindsay-Harvey was appointed to the board in February 2020 and has served as the Chairperson for the past three years. She has advocated for greater transparency in the MUA’s hiring practices and has supported initiatives to improve stormwater management in the township. In 2024, the board reappointed her for a term expiring in 2030. Lindsay-Harvey serves as president of the Black Water Professionals Alliance and is also a Jersey Water Works Steering Committee member.

Brian Lubenow, PE, BCEE, PMP, is a Senior Project Manager and Associate Environmental Engineer at CDM Smith in their Lancaster office.  With over 20 years of experience in environmental engineering, Brian has a robust background in the planning, evaluation, design, inspection, and construction management of various municipal water and wastewater projects. His professional focus for the past five years has been lead in drinking water, leading programs in New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

Yolanda has over 17 years of engineering and project management experience supporting numerous civil and environmental engineering projects across the United States including Denver, Colorado: Environmental Assessments, Water and Wastewater Treatment, Transportation Planning, Highway Design, Light Rail Design, and Stormwater Management; Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Assistant City Engineer; in Wichita, Kansas: Airport Construction and Design Management; in San Diego, California: Airport Program Development and Design Management; in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas: Airport/Landside Master Planning and Project Management; and Ridgewood, New Jersey: Project Management for Lead Service Line Replacement Program and for three new PFAS Treatment Facilities.  She has enjoyed working in both the private and public sectors, and is currently an Environmental Engineer for Ridgewood Water, a utility serving 4 municipalities in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Mark McDonough currently serves as president of New Jersey American Water.  He is the principal external contact for American Water in New Jersey, serving approximately 2.9 million people. In this role since April 2021, McDonough reinforces and strengthens customer, regulatory and local government relationships and drives operational and financial results for New Jersey.

Before joining New Jersey American Water, McDonough served as President of American Water’s Military Services Group. He led a team of nearly 500 employees that provided water and wastewater services to 17 military installations across the country. Under his leadership, the Military Services Group was awarded contracts for ownership, operation, and maintenance of the water and wastewater utility systems at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, Joint Base San Antonio in Texas, and the U.S. Army Garrison West Point in West Point, New York.

Prior to his role as President of Military Service Group, McDonough was the Chief Compliance Officer for American Water. He originally joined American Water in June 2005, where he served primarily as lead counsel for the Military Services Group. McDonough has also worked extensively with American Water’s Contract Services Group.

Before joining American Water, McDonough was in private practice in both New Jersey and Maine. Prior to graduating from law school, he was employed as a Special Agent with the United States Government, serving in the Office of Inspector General at the United States Department of Energy, The National Passenger Railroad Corporation (Amtrak), and the United States General Services Administration.

McDonough received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware in 1987, his Master of Science in Justice from American University in 1990, and his Juris Doctor from George Mason University in 1996. He currently serves as a board member for Choose New Jersey, the New Jersey Utilities Association, New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce and Camden Community Partnership, for which he serves as Co-Chair with Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen. 

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people.

Nicole Miller, Principal of MnM Consulting, is a communications professional with nearly two decades of experience creating targeted publicity and marketing campaigns for a range of clients in private industry and the nonprofit sector. MnM Consulting specializes in media development, digital and print publishing, brand strategy, content creation, and clean energy/sustainability education for business and general audiences. MnM Consulting works with several small business, government, and non-profit clients on brand development, project management, event coordination and product deployment. Ms. Miller has a BA in Arts, Media, and Culture from the University of Washington and a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University in New York. Ms. Miller is a resident of Newark, NJ, a member of the Newark Environmental Commission advising the Mayor and City Council on sustainability issues, Chair of the Newark Green Team, and Co-Chair of NewarkDIG (Doing Infrastructure Green), which is dedicated to resilient and sustainable municipal stormwater management.

She serves as co-chair for the Jersey Water Works Steering Committee.

Hetal Mistry is a licensed Professional Engineer in the States of New Jersey and New York who earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Engineering from Rutgers University.  He also holds a MBA Degree from Montclair State University and is a certified Project Management Professional.  In addition, Hetal is a licensed operator for water distribution and treatment in the State of New Jersey.

Hetal is currently a Program Manager for Veolia New Jersey – Municipal Water Division Regulated Utility.  He is responsible for the planning, design, execution, delivery, and regulatory compliance for the NJ Lead Program and the NJ Water Quality Accountability Act. Over the course of seven (7) years, Hetal has been responsible for the replacement of over 18,000 lead service lines.

JoLynn Moloughney is the Municipal Policy Specialist at The Watershed Institute, where she supports municipalities across the watershed and fosters regional collaboration. Prior to joining The Watershed Institute, JoLynn worked with the City of Trenton’s Mayor’s Office and Sustainable Jersey, contributing to initiatives that strengthened community and municipal resiliency. Her environmental career began at Montrose Environmental, where she gained hands-on experience implementing environmental health and safety policies.

JoLynn holds a Master of Public Policy from The College of New Jersey. Through her thesis, she evaluated the effectiveness of New Jersey’s school lead in drinking water policy by analyzing statewide trends in elevated blood lead levels before and after policy implementation, as well as the remediation methods implemented by school districts.

In her work and personal life, she is passionate about advancing equitable and sustainable environmental policy solutions. Her work centers on environmental advocacy, with a focus on how the intersection of environmental policy, public health and safety, and socioeconomic equity shapes community outcomes.

Sean Moore graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering. Sean has 12 years of experience in the construction industry. From 2013 to 2019, Sean worked as a project engineer for general contractors on heavy civil construction projects in NYC and NJ. Sean joined CDM Smith in 2019 and has worked on a variety of projects, including the Newark LSLR Project, NJDEP Harrison Ave Landfill Remediation Project (Camden), TWW LSLR Phase 1 and 2 (Trenton, Hamilton, Lawrence, Ewing), PVWC LSLR Program (Paterson, Clifton, Passaic), and the NJAW LSLR Program, where he is currently managing about 25-30 inspectors canvassing and performing preliminary inspections across most of NJAW’s statewide operations areas.

Kendra F. Morris has 20 years of experience in project finance, business development and general management of public infrastructure. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Regulated Water Business for Veolia North America providing water service to more than two million people across six states. Her focus is supporting communities to achieve their public health, economic development and environmental protection goals through well-run water and wastewater systems. 

Before stepping into her current role, Kendra worked across the infrastructure investment landscape, gaining hands-on experience in workforce development and public private partnerships. Her collaborative leadership approach has helped advance sustainable practices and practical solutions in water management and public infrastructure. She is passionate about water workforce and environmental protection.

She has worked at two of the largest water utilities and one of the largest P3 infrastructure funds in the US.  She earned her BA in International Relations and a Master of City & Regional Planning both from the University of Pennsylvania, blending a global perspective with practical expertise to drive innovation in how communities manage and protect public infrastructure.  

Ms. Morris is a Board Member of NJ Future and former co-chair of the Jersey Water Works Water Workforce Subcommittee where she helped secure funding for community college internships to attract youth to the water industry. Kendra lives in New Jersey and enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling with her family. For more details, please visit www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-morris13

Ali Pajooman is a Professional Engineer from Canada with over 18 years of experience in Project Management, System Design and Automation within the Water and Wastewater industry. He has worked with multiple utilities across North America and currently serves as the PFAS Program Manager for New Jersey at Veolia North America. In this role, he manages the team responsible for PFAS Capital Projects, coordinating with various firms and regulatory bodies to deliver projects in accordance with new EPA PFAS guidelines.

Olga Morales Pate is a nationally respected leader and visionary in rural community  development, with over two decades of dedicated service advancing infrastructure solutions  across the United States, its Territories, and Tribal lands. Her career has been defined by a  steadfast commitment to empowering rural communities through sustainable, regionally driven  strategies.  

Widely recognized as a champion of regional collaboration, Olga has played a pivotal role in  shaping policies that foster long-term resilience. Her legislative achievements in New Mexico  include the landmark Regional Water Systems Resiliency Act of 2023, which enables utilities to  form regional governance structures, and the creation of the New Mexico Colonias  Infrastructure Fund in 2011, addressing critical infrastructure needs in underserved  communities.  

From 2008 to 2013, Olga served as a member and chair of the EPA’s National Drinking Water  Advisory Council (NDWAC), where she helped guide national policy on drinking water  standards. Her leadership has consistently bridged the gap between local needs and federal  action, earning her recognition as a trusted ambassador for rural America.  

A proud graduate of New Mexico State University (NMSU), Olga continues to advocate for  inclusive, community-led solutions that elevate the voices of rural populations and ensure  access to essential services for generations to come.

Christina Petagna is the Mid-Atlantic Funding Navigator Manager for EPIC. She’s excited to bring her varied water experience to EPIC to provide assistance to water and wastewater providers. Prior to beginning her EPIC journey, Christina received her masters in Environmental Science and Engineering from UNC Chapel Hill where she studied the links and risks between natural, engineered, and financial systems and wrote her thesis on the balance between supply and financial risk in water utility decision-making under uncertainty. Before going to graduate school she built her career in the tri-state area. She started as an environmental consultant focusing on groundwater projects in NJ and PA. Transitioning into the public sector, she was a natural resource manager for the NJ Highlands Council and followed the experience up as a consultant helping small applicants in NY state navigate the complexities of the FEMA public assistance program. Christina holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Rutgers University.

Elyse has over 25 years of experience in developing and managing environmental health projects in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. In 1999, she created Isles’ Environmental Health Initiative with funds from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The program has since grown to address a broad range of policy and practice challenges in the areas of lead poisoning, asthma, pest management, healthy schools, open space needs, exercise, and nutrition. Elyse has presented extensively on lead, health issues, and the need to work across sectors to achieve healthier homes and better services for those already affected by lead. Prior to joining Isles, Ms. Pivnick was a project manager for a civil engineering firm in Austin, TX, where she also served as a member of the Austin Environmental Commission. Additionally, she was the founding executive director of a community development organization in Philadelphia and later became the project coordinator for Philadelphia’s Office of Housing and Community Development, overseeing projects that included housing rehabilitation, infrastructure reconstruction, community planning, and organizing. Elyse is board chair of the National Center for Healthy Housing. She has a master’s degree in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Danniel Radici, CEO, BRUTE Contracting
Founded in 2012, BRUTE Contracting now operates as an underground utility contractor specializing in new service lateral installations, repairs, and replacements in Northern New Jersey. BRUTE has been built on a solid foundation of moral strength and integrity. Through this, we are able to provide our clients with the confidence needed to become true partners in completing each project to the highest standard. Our goal is to maintain a high-quality level of workmanship while executing each project with precise coordination to ultimately deliver extraordinary results.

Molly works part-time at New Jersey Future, advancing Climate Adaptation policy goals, and supporting the New Jersey Future Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure (MGI) program. Most recently, Molly worked at a nonprofit in Virginia Beach, which orchestrates mass tree plantings and installs GSI projects with the goal of improving local water quality and community resilience, while providing essential habitat. Prior to her position in Virginia, Molly worked for New Jersey LCV managing their Flood Defense NJ campaign and related advocacy efforts. She also spent a year interning in the New Jersey Senate Majority Office and worked on several political campaigns in the Morris County area after graduating from Roanoke College in 2016 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Political Science.

Dr. Siddhartha Roy is an Assistant Professor in Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Rutgers University. His research group focuses broadly on water quality and treatment, corrosion science, human health, disaster response, and global development. Sid’s team’s recent and current undertakings include supervising routine and disaster-related water quality investigations in underserved communities, post-industrial cities, and public schools in the United States, West Africa, and South Asia; conducting research on water infrastructure corrosion and the impacts of contaminated water on health, educational, and psychological outcomes in pregnant women, young children, and vulnerable populations; developing technological and policy solutions to reduce the occurrence of lead (Pb) exposure globally; and executive producing documentaries and podcasts to enhance public understanding of science. As a graduate student, he co-led the Virginia Tech research team that helped uncover the Flint, Michigan Water Crisis.

Maggie Allio Rwakazina is a strategist, connector, and trusted partner working at the intersection of water equity, community planning, leadership development, and systems change. With a background in ecology and two decades of experience designing collaborations spanning government, philanthropy, and social impact, she drives social and environmental progress. This professional experience was strengthened working at the Delaware River Basin Commission and for 11 years being an integral team member on the team launching Green City, Clean Waters at the Philadelphia Water Department. Most recently she served as a Senior Program Officer at Springpoint Partners.  Maggie is the founder of Ripples to Rise, where she helps leaders, funders, and organizations align strategy with trust and create impact that flows beyond their own reach.

Scott Schreiber is the Executive Director of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority (CCMUA).  The CCMUA owns and operates the 80 MGD Delaware #1 Water Pollution Control Facility as well as 135 miles of interceptor and 27 pumping stations. He has led large CCMUA projects including the construction of anaerobic digesters and a combined heat and power system as well as the CCMUA’s Long Term Control Plan for CSO mitigation.  Scott is dedicated to creating just environmental outcomes for all residents of Camden County; especially those who are directly impacted by the CCMUA’s operations in the Waterfront South neighborhood in Camden, NJ.

Diane Schrauth, Policy Director, New Jersey Future

Diane manages program staff responsible for New Jersey Future’s Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure program, Funding Navigator program, and water policy initiatives. She plays a leadership role in policy development and advocacy, particularly on issues such as lead in drinking water, combined sewer overflows, stormwater, and funding for water infrastructure. Diane provides technical assistance and works to advance program goals. She has over 20 years of experience in water and sustainability issues. In addition to her work as a consultant for organizations and agencies focused on water resources and sustainable development, Diane also served as a program officer at the William Penn Foundation. She holds a B.A. in anthropology and geology from Vanderbilt University, as well as a Master of Regional Planning with a concentration in land use and environmental planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Donald C. Shields, PE, is Vice President and Director of Engineering for New Jersey American Water, the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater to approximately 2.8 million people. Shields oversees a staff of over 50 professionals including construction managers, engineers, planners and geographic information systems (GIS) specialists. He is directly responsible for delivering New Jersey American Water’s capital investment program of more than $350 million per year. In his role, he also provides oversight to engineering activities in the other Eastern Division states, which includes New York, Virginia and Maryland.

Shields has more than 25 years of industry experience, joining American Water in 2001. Prior to his current role, he served as Engineering Director of New Business Development for American Water’s Corporate Engineering Group. While there, he supported American Water’s regulated and market-based businesses, offering technical guidance and expertise for project development and execution, including large water, wastewater and solids digestion/management/handling/energy production.  

He also spent ten years at American Water’s former subsidiary, Applied Water Management, where he managed a team of 30 construction managers and engineers. He has significant experience with designing, building and commissioning membrane bio reactors, a key technology used in water reclamation and reuse. 

Prior to joining American Water, Shields spent ten years working for Bergen County Utilities Authority in Northern New Jersey, where he worked on capital improvement projects ranging from automated meter systems and force main rehabilitation, to wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

Shields is a licensed Professional Engineer in New Jersey, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University.

Harold Sofield is the Project Director at American Water Operations & Maintenance and oversees the contract with the City of Camden to operate and maintain the water supply and distribution system assets owned by the City of Camden Division of Utilities.

Harold leads a team of water and wastewater professionals dedicated to providing safe, clean and reliable water and wastewater services to the Camden community. Additionally, he is responsible for water and wastewater emergency management, street sweeping services to prevent debris from obstructing the sewer system, asset mapping through GIS, and maintaining treatment facilities to meet or exceed standards.

In addition to general system maintenance activities, Harold oversees various capital improvement projects, varying from significant water treatment plant upgrades, valve and fire hydrant replacements, water main replacements, lead service line replacements, among others.

Harold brings two decades of experience across multiple industries, underpinned by a strong foundation in finance and a passion for building relationships. He holds a B.A. in Finance from the University of South Carolina and M.B.A. in Management from Centenary University.

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

Chris coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure (MGI) Program, 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 and interned with the New Jersey Legislature and Raritan Headwaters Association. Chris holds a B.A. in Political Science from The College of New Jersey.

Chris serves as the backbone staff for the Green Infrastructure Committee.

John Tully is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in private land development and 9 years in municipal government. Currently employed by Raritan Township, John serves as the Engineering Supervisor, Stormwater Utility Supervisor, and IT Supervisor. He is also the Township Stormwater Program Coordinator, holding a certification from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). John’s extensive background and diverse skill set make him a key asset in managing and enhancing the township’s infrastructure and environmental initiatives.

For more than three decades, Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP has worked to enhance quality of life, advance economic equity and promote social justice in communities. He carries a wide-ranging perspective from his career as a journalist, urban planner who specializes in community economic development, leadership coach, educator, creative placemaker, and nonprofit executive.

As Executive Director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves an eight-county region of more than 4.3 million people. The Foundation works to make life better for more people in North Jersey by enhancing public places, building alliances to address critical community issues and connecting community-oriented organizations with valuable resources. In addition to his executive duties, Leo leads the Foundation’s environmental and economic development projects.

His environmental work at the Foundation includes creating Hackensack River Nation, a cross-sector alliance working to protect the Hackensack River Watershed; and leading the Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice initiative. This initiative created and supports the Hackensack Environmental Justice Alliance, a resident led group of more than 200 people that works to help make Hackensack greener, cleaner and more beautiful for all. The initiative also has produced environmental artworks and rain garden in Hackensack, and is producing a citywide green infrastructure plan, and a plan to reconnect Hackensack residents to the Hackensack River through urban trails.

Leo has been recognized nationally and in New Jersey for his work in urban planning, creative placemaking and social justice. In 2012, he won the American Planning Association’s National Planning Leadership Award for Advancing Diversity and Social Justice in Honor of Paul Davidoff. He also wrote or contributed to plans that won statewide awards form the APA’s New Jersey Chapter and New Jersey Future. Leo’s work on environmental justice earned the Foundation a 2024 Environmental Achievement Award from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.

Jyoti Venketraman co-leads New Jersey Future’s Collective Impact program areas with primary responsibility for overseeing Lead-Free NJ, Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers, and the data dashboard Jersey WaterCheck. Jyoti also leads the organization’s efforts on equity and health. She has expertise in program evaluation, policy research, and public health. She is a 2020 graduate of the Environmental Leadership Program and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, a postgraduate degree in Health Management, and a Bachelor’s degree in microbiology from India.

Jyoti is oversees Jersey WaterCheck and serves as a backbone staff in the Data Advisory Committee and the Asset & Management Committee.

Charles Walker joined American Water as a Customer Care Agent in January 2023 while completing his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing & Management from Rutgers University. He leveraged his academic training to transition into Quality Assurance, where he analyzes customer service performance and ensures regulatory compliance. Beyond his daily responsibilities, he serves as a Community Co-Lead for an Employee Resource Group, organizing volunteer initiatives that connect American Water’s workforce. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Business at the University of Delaware.

With over 25 years of experience, Alex has developed an increasing range of experience in the areas of water supply.  

Since joining Passaic Valley Water Commission as a Supervising Engineer in 2023, Alex is involved in Capital projects and engineering related to the system’s buried infrastructure.

Prior to her working at PVWC, she had been involved in the design and preparation of plans and specifications, permitting, construction observation and construction engineering for numerous transmission mains, pumping stations and treatment facilities.  She also has extensive experience in the assessment of buried infrastructure and in development and maintenance of hydraulic models for distribution systems and utilizing them to aid in the development of capital improvement plans, water quality analyses and vulnerability assessments.

Alex graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and a Master’s of Science in Construction Management and is a licensed professional engineer.  As the current Director for the AWWA NJ Section, Alex is looking forward to continuing her involvement within the Association.

Michael Wolan is the Director of Engineering Project Delivery at New Jersey American Water Company. Michael has 40 years of water and wastewater utility experience. He manages the team responsible for planning, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning of all Capital Investment projects within Central and Northern New Jersey. Michael holds an A.A.S Civil/Construction Technology degree from Middlesex County College and a B.S. in Civil Engineering Technology from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

David Zimmer serves as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, the State’s construction financing Authority which partners with the NJDEP and the NJDOT to provide low interest rate loans to government units and authorities for environmental and local transportation infrastructure projects respectively.

During his tenure, Mr. Zimmer has focused on introducing several new successful loan programs to broaden the reach and depth of financing program options and worked to overhaul the I-Bank’s credit policy to bring transparency and clarity to borrowers.  He has also improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the I-Bank by overseeing the development of two modern, web-based loan management systems that have greatly reduced paper work and minimized time and administrative costs for project sponsors.

Mr. Zimmer is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from the University of Dayton.

For more information on the NJ I-Bank, please visit: www.njib.gov.