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
Thornton Tomasetti provides engineering design, investigation and analysis services to clients worldwide on projects of every size and level of complexity. The firm is providing structural engineering services to the College Avenue Redevelopment Initiative. Chris is an award-winning structural engineer with more than 25 years of engineering experience in a wide variety of building types and sizes. His experience includes the design and construction of high-rise commercial and residential concrete and steel structures, long-span and open-air sports and entertainment facilities, healthcare and transportation structures. His responsibilities include the design and management of fast-track projects and large complex projects, as well as budget management. His prominent projects include the Bloomberg Tower in New York, The Edge residential complex in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, the PNC Baseball Park in Pittsburgh, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the Prudential Center arena in Newark, New Jersey, and Ten Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.
Danielle Ferland ENG ‘12 | Civil Engineer and Environmental Engineer | Louis Berger
Danielle started her career I worked as an environmental engineer for the first six months out of college working for a small environmental consulting engineering firm. For the past few years she has been at Louis Berger enabling her to get involved with the College Avenue projects. Danielle is sure all the improvements will enhance the lives of current and future students. As for working on projects for her alma mater? She is “proud. I loved my time at Rutgers and to see it thrive and grow keeps that pride strong; even more so knowing I was able to be a part of that process.”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.
Alan Lothian ENG '98 | Project Manager, Civil Engineer | Langan Engineering & Environmental Services
Alan has been at Langan Engineering since he graduated from Rutgers. As a traffic engineer, he brought his expertise to bear on the traffic engineering and site circulation for the University Apartment site on College Avenue. Alan is I a proud Rutgers graduate, along with approximately 75% of his immediate family. For him, “It feels great to be part of growth and improvement on campus for my children to hopefully enjoy in the future.”