ALUMNI ON THE JOB
Engineering Alums building the future for Rutgers University
The Rutgers School of Engineering is well represented on the College Avenue Redevelopment Initiative. Highly qualified and experienced alumni firms across the region are playing a major role in this game-changing project. And, with 600,000 square feet of new construction on the historic New Brunswick campus of Rutgers University, there’s plenty of work to go around. Take a look at how these RU engineering alums are redefining the Rutgers experience for future students.
Mary Acciani ENG '79 | SVP, Principal in Charge – Mechanical Engineer | PS&S
PS&S Vice President Mary Acciani, PE, CEM, GBE, directs the firm’s Education Market group. By changing the model to enable public entities to work directly with contractors who bring their partner engineers and architects into the picture from the beginning, the timing and delivery of public school and university projects has improved. Mary leads a team of about 30 people in the MEP engineering group and works closely with architectural design and management, structural and geotechnical engineering, as well as civil and environmental engineering. She also heads the Go-to-Market Committee for the Education group. Prior to joining PS&S in 2009, she was Director of Planning and Construction at Rowan University.
Giselle Baluyut ENG ‘12 | Staff Engineer | Langan Engineering & Environmental Services
A site/civil engineer, Giselle’s professional ties stayed local after graduating from the School of Engineering. She worked for Rutgers Utilities Operations unit which provides basic utility services to the university 24 hours a day, seven days per week, 365 days per year. Her job at Langan brought her back to campus, assisting New Brunswick Development Corporation (the developer for the College Avenue project) with site plans and permitting for this expansive project.
Kevin Blankenbuehler ENG ‘06 | Director of Energy Services | Concord Engineering
Concord Engineering is providing LEED Fundamental and Enhanced Commissioning Services for each of the buildings under construction for the College Avenue Redevelopment Initiative. A mechanical engineer, Kevin is responsible for ensuring that all systems are go in terms of HVAC and building controls, the building envelope, domestic hot water systems, day-lighting and lighting controls, standby generator and automatic transfer switch, and main electrical switchgear. Kevin has been at Concord since graduating from Rutgers.
Matthew Buaron ENG ‘13 | Vice President/Civil and Environmental Engineer | ReVireo
Matt describes himself as an open-minded engineer with a working knowledge of traffic engineering principles, standards, and software. He adapts well to a variety of assignments, and, prior to his position at ReVireo, Matt was a traffic engineering associate for the Port Authority of NY/NJ. Matt is overseeing LEED certification for the new Rutgers Honors College. He is “thoroughly proud to contribute to the expanding community of Rutgers. My time as a student was transformative, and being able to give back to that same community is a joy.”
Timothy Conlon ENG ‘85 | Associate Principal/Mechanical Engineer | PS&S
Tim was project manager for mechanical, electric, plumbing engineering and fire protection design on the Honors College building. When he first started on the project two years ago, his oldest child was a junior in high school, starting her college search; today, she is enrolled as a freshman in the Rutgers Honors Program. For Tim it feels great to be working on this Rutgers project, particularly knowing that my daughter will be there to enjoy the facility (although he notes that she still prefers to live on Livingston over College Avenue – things have changed a lot in 30 years!)
Chris Christoforou, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, ENG ‘83 | Principal/Structural Engineer | Thornton Tomasetti
Danielle Ferland ENG ‘12 | Civil Engineer and Environmental Engineer | Louis Berger
Ronald Garon ENG ’98 and PhD ‘00 | Associate/ Project Manager Structural Engineer | Thornton Tomasetti
Ronald Garon ENG ’98 and PhD ‘00 | Associate/ Project Manager Structural Engineer | Thornton Tomasetti
Glenn Kustera ENG '91 | VP, Principal in Charge - Structural Engineering | PS&S
Glenn manages the day to day operations of PS&S’ team of engineers and BIM technicians. His 20 year career has involved projects of increasing complexity utilizing steel, cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete, post-tension concrete, masonry, stone, timber, cold form metal, shallow/deep foundations and all types of low, mid and high rise construction. His recent projects at PS&S include: the Red Bull Stadium in Harrison; Montclair State University Student Housing Project in Montclair; hotel and casino projects for Harrah’s and Caesar’s in Atlantic City; and the BAPS Hindu American Religious Center in Robbinsville.