2026 NJDOT Complete Streets Summit Agenda
8:30am
Breakfast & Registration
Multi-Purpose Room
9:00am
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Multi-Purpose Room
9:30am
Session 1: Breakout Panels
Complete Streets policies offer an opportunity to make New Jersey communities more vibrant and inclusive spaces for all road users. The goal of this session is to discuss how to create a comprehensive policy that aids local governments in making Complete Streets the standard planning practice in their communities. Topics of discussion will include developing and using a Complete Streets checklist, the role of a Complete Streets Advisory Board, establishing benchmarks, and tracking progress through data collection. The session will also include information on technical assistance opportunities available to communities and how to incorporate community engagement best practices into Complete Streets planning and implementation processes.
- Hailey Anilonis, AICP (moderator) – Senior Planner, Division of Statewide Planning, New Jersey Department of Transportation
- Anthony Talerico, Jr. – Mayor, Borough of Eatontown
- Jacob Nieman – Complete Streets Director, Montclair Township
- Ryan Conklin, AICP, PP, GISP – Director of Planning, County of Warren
Room 411
There is no one-size-fits-all model when designing Complete Streets, and municipalities across the state must address their own set of needs and priorities. Fortunately, there is an abundance of guidance available to assist with planning, designing, and implementing Complete Streets. In this session, speakers will explore how to apply Complete Streets design principles to real-world projects. Panelists will also discuss guides and resources that can help Complete Streets become a reality.
- Nazhat Aboobaker, PE, MBA, PMP (moderator) – Section Chief-Planning, Complete Streets Implementation, Bureau of Safety Improvement Programs, New Jersey Department of Transportation
- Tom DiBiase, P.E., RSP2i – Project Manager, Transportation Planning & Engineering, Michael Baker International
- Brian M. Stankus, PE, PTOE – Senior Traffic Engineer, NV5
- Sean Meehan – Managing Director, Active Transportation & Safety, Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center, Rutgers University
Multi-Purpose Room
NJDOT and NJDEP share a focus of creating more vibrant and accessible communities through the expansion of active transportation networks both on- and off-road. Complete Streets principles can also support the development of the State’s network of trails and greenways. This session will focus on efforts statewide to expand access to trails for people walking and bicycling, including an introduction to circuit trail planning and how to effectively create an interconnected network of multi-use trails.
- Jelena Lasko (moderator) – Transit Village Coordinator, New Jersey Department of Transportation
- Mackenzie Piggott – State Trails Coordinator, Green Acres Program, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- Tiffany Robinson – Trails and Active Mobility Director, NJ Bike & Walk Coalition
- Matthew J. Johnson, AICP, PP – Deputy Director, Resource Conservation Department, Burlington County
Room 109
10:30am
Break
11:00am
Session 2: Breakout Panels
All 21 New Jersey counties are taking a fresh, coordinated look at how to make county and municipal roads safer for everyone through the development of comprehensive safety action plans. With support from the State’s three metropolitan planning organizations, these county-level efforts reinforce NJDOT’s 2025 Strategic Highway Safety Plan and help shape a statewide vision for safer streets. This session will examine the safety action planning process at the state and county levels, take stock of what has been accomplished so far, and explore how Complete Streets fit into strategic transportation safety planning.
- Jennifer Marandino, PE (moderator) – Executive Director, South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization
- Cheryl Kastrenakes – Executive Director, Greater Mercer TMA
- Tanner Thul, AICP – Senior Transportation Planner, Hudson County Department of Roads and Public Property, Division of Engineering
- Vijayant (VJ) Rajvanshi, AICP – Planning Director, Department of Transportation, Middlesex County
Room 411
Well-designed Complete Streets support accessibility and mobility for all New Jerseyans, including those living with diverse mobility needs. This session will focus on how to promote accessibility and inclusivity in Complete Streets design and implementation, including planning for the needs of neurodivergent individuals, Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG), the role travel training programs play in ensuring New Jerseyans with disabilities can enjoy the benefits of Complete Streets, and how NJDOT’s ADA Transition Plan and updated universal design guidance can help create Complete Streets that meet the needs of people of all abilities.
- Elise Bremer-Nei, AICP, PP (moderator) – Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, New Jersey Department of Transportation
- Sam Rosenthal, AICP – Research Project Coordinator, Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center, Rutgers University
- Jim Elliott, AICP – Principal Planner, Toole Design
- Linda Rapacki – Research Project Coordinator and Senior Travel Instructor, NJ Travel Independence Program at Rutgers
- Chrystal Section, MBA – ADA Coordinator, New Jersey Department of Transportation, Division of Civil Rights
Multi-Purpose Room
- Michael Dannemiller, PE (moderator) – Assistant Director, Programmatic Planning, NJ TRANSIT
- David Schmetterer, AICP, PP – Assistant Director of Planning, Monmouth County Division of Planning
- Francesca Giarratana, AICP, PP – Deputy Director, Department of Planning & Business Opportunity, Hudson County
- Christopher Gonda – Program Manager, Keep Middlesex Moving TMA
- James Clavelli, AICP, PP – Principal Planner, NV5
Room 109
12:00pm
Lunch & Keynote
Multi-Purpose Room
This year’s keynote will be provided by Veronica O. Davis, a powerful voice for community-centered transportation and the author of Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities, a book that challenges our industry to rethink how we design, build, and invest in infrastructure.
- Veronica O. Davis, PE – Vice President, Planning, Engagement & Urban Design – AtkinsRéalis
1:00pm
Awards Ceremony
Multi-Purpose Room
Complete Streets Champion and Complete Streets Excellence Awards recognize individuals, groups, or communities who have worked to further Complete Streets policies or implementation in New Jersey.
1:45pm
Break
2:00pm
Panel Discussion
Multi-Purpose Room
- Michael Manzella, AICP (moderator) – Director of Statewide Planning, New Jersey Department of Transportation
- Jeffrey Perlman, AICP, PP – Senior Director of Planning, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority
- Betsy Mastaglio, PLA – Associate Director, Multimodal Planning, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
- Jenna Monaghan – Assistant Planner, South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization
3:30pm
Closing Remarks & Adjournment
Multi-Purpose Room
3:40pm
End
Veronica O. Davis, PE
Veronica O. Davis, PE is a globally recognized transportation leader and the US Vice President for Planning, Engagement & Urban Design at AtkinsRéalis, where she brings more than twenty-five years of leadership in civil engineering and planning.
Veronica is a powerful voice for community-centered transportation and the author of Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities, a book that challenges our industry to rethink how we design, build, and invest in infrastructure
Her career spans the public, private, and entrepreneurial sectors — from leading Transportation & Drainage Operations for the City of Houston to cofounding Nspiregreen LLC, a firm dedicated to planning for people. She also cofounded Black Women Bike and represented Houston nationally as Vice President on the National Association of City Transportation Officials.
In recognition of her impact, the White House honored Veronica as a Champion of Change and Transportation Innovator, celebrating her work to advance safe, reliable, and affordable mobility for all communities.
Veronica holds dual master’s degrees in Engineering Management and Regional Planning from Cornell University, along with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Maryland. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and makes her home in Baltimore with her family.
She is leader who blends technical rigor with humanity, who understands both systems and people, and who continues to push our industry toward a future where everyone — in every neighborhood — has access to opportunity.
Hailey Anilonis, AICP
Hailey Anilonis, AICP is a Senior Transportation Planner at the New Jersey Department of Transportation. She is a graduate of the Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning with a minor in Real Estate. Hailey utilizes her studies in her work in the Division of Statewide Planning at NJDOT with responsibilities including the development of the NJ 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan, access management tasks, and performance-based planning activities. Hailey is a dedicated public servant with a strong passion for community placemaking, context-sensitive design, and sustainable solutions.
Anthony Talerico, Jr.
Anthony Talerico, Jr. is a lifelong resident of the Borough of Eatontown. He holds an accounting degree from the University of Scranton and an MBA from Monmouth University. Talerico initially worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York City as a Certified Public Accounting, auditing clients in the capital markets and financial services industry. He later transitioned his career to forensic accounting and fraud investigation at Withum in Red Bank, eventually opening his own business performing forensic accounting consulting services. After a career in accounting, Talerico went back to school to become a nurse. He is now a Registered Nurse on the oncology floor at Monmouth Medical Center.
Mayor Talerico began his public service as an appointed member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Commissioner on the Eatontown Sewerage Authority. He subsequently served nine years as a Borough Councilman, including four years as Council President. In 2018, he was elected to his first four-year term as Mayor and was reelected in 2022 to a second term. As Mayor, Talerico sits on the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority where he is currently the Vice Chairman. In 2020, Mayor Talerico won the Art Ondish Leadership Award from Sustainable Jersey.
Using his positions as Mayor and on the Planning Board, Talerico leverages development opportunities in Eatontown with various long-term planning initiatives. Eatontown was the first town to adopt the NJDOT Complete and Green Streets for All Policy and is Bronze Certified through Sustainable Jersey. Talerico’s administration has been successful in obtaining several million dollars in grants from County, State and Federal sources. He has made infrastructure replacement and planning a key initiative so as to address his town’s development and position Eatontown successfully in the future.
Jacob Nieman
Jacob Nieman is a proud municipal employee, fierce advocate for inclusive and welcoming communities, and stubborn year-round bike commuter. As the Director of Complete Streets for Montclair, Jake has yet to find where sidewalk ends. With a decade of experience as a local government professional and an active civic leader where he calls home, he brings to his work both a deep love for New Jersey and an intimate understanding of her strengths, challenges, and untapped potential.
Jake received his BA in planning and public policy from the Bloustein School and a Master of Public Administration, from Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration, where he was an Eagleton Institute Graduate Fellow. He’s currently a LeadNJ fellow.
He lives in Montclair with his wife and their house plants.
Ryan Conklin, AICP, PP, GISP
I am a builder of ideas and places—a strategic leader guided by design, data, and purpose. As Director of the Warren County Planning Department, I bring over 22 years of experience in community planning, zoning, permitting, environmental review, land development, transportation, and natural resource management.
I’m a Licensed Professional Planner in New Jersey and an AICP Certified Planner, with a background in GIS and spatial analysis that helps me turn complex challenges into clear, practical solutions. I earned my undergraduate degree in planning from Rutgers University and pursued graduate studies in GIS at Northeastern University.
My work focuses on improving quality of life, supporting economic growth, and protecting the natural environment—helping communities grow in a balanced and sustainable way.
Brian M. Stankus, PE, PTOE
Brian Stankus has been working as a traffic engineer for 31 years, having built a career on a childhood fascination with traffic signs and signals. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. He is a registered professional engineer in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York and also holds a PTOE registration. His traffic engineering experience includes data collection and analysis, signing, striping and signal design, crash analysis and safety studies, concept development/alternatives analysis, and ped/bike improvement studies. He has been with NV5 for 3-1/2 years where, in addition to his traffic engineering project workload, he serves as a traffic engineering technical advisor on many of the office’s Planning Department projects, including NJDOT assignments in Collingswood, West Orange, Clayton and Hackensack, as well as the firm’s Warren County Complete Streets and Monmouth County SS4A assignments. He spends a lot of his spare time bicycling, which gives him great perspective on bike facilities and Complete Streets projects.
Sean Meehan
Sean Meehan is the Managing Director for the Active Transportation & Safety Team at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University. With over fifteen years of experience, Sean works in the area of pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety with a goal of making it easier and safer for both children and adults to walk and cycle more. Sean oversees projects for the New Jersey SRTS program in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and with the state’s eight Transportation Management Associations (TMAs). As part of his work Sean provides services, training, coordination, technical assistance, and outreach to TMAs, local and regional governments, schools and school districts, and other organizations to encourage walking and bicycling while identifying opportunities for infrastructure and policy improvements that make walking and bicycling safer.
Thomas DiBiase, P.E., RSP2i
Tom DiBiase has nearly 17 years of experience in transportation engineering and planning projects spanning all phases of project delivery, including data collection, analysis, and concept, preliminary, and final design, and construction. He supports projects in all design phases, including concept, preliminary, and final design, and construction, where his primary focus is concept design. His experience includes project delivery as Engineer and Project Manager for NJDOT Capital Project Delivery, Local Technical Assistance, NJTPA LCD and LSEAP, New Jersey Counties, Municipalities, and others. He has performed and coordinated multi-discipline project efforts for transportation data collection studies, concept studies, SS4A Action Plans, roadway safety audits and studies, road diet studies, Complete Streets bicycle and pedestrian projects, Transportation Plans, school travel plans, and road/bridge rehabilitation/ replacement. Tom strives to deliver safer communities around the state of NJ through his work with the Counties, Municipalities, NJDOT and MPOs NJTPA, DVRPC and is concerted in his efforts to improve safety on our transportation networks using sound, pointed design measures.
Jelena Lasko
Jelena Lasko is a transportation planner and the Transit Village Coordinator at the New Jersey Department of Transportation. With over 7 years of experience, she spearheads the Transit Village Initiative, fostering smart growth, transit-oriented development, and sustainable community planning throughout New Jersey.
Jelena helps create vibrant, accessible, and livable communities through municipal partnerships and cross-agency collaboration. Her approach emphasizes inclusive planning practices, including Complete Streets, to cater to diverse community needs and promote sustainable development and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users of New Jersey roadways.
Jelena holds a Masters Degree in Integrated Urbanism and Regional Development and a Bachelors in Spatial Planning from Belgrade University, Republic of Serbia. In her spare time, she volunteers for coastal protection initiatives. Jelena serves as the NJDOT liaison for the TransAction Conference and is a member of multiple boards and committees.
Mackenzie Piggott
Mackenzie Piggott has served as State Trails Coordinator for the Green Acres Program since 2022. Driven by the mission to ensure that all New Jerseyans, regardless of age, ability or background, have access to safe, quality trails, Mackenzie works to help coordinate trail funding and planning efforts statewide. She administers the Recreational Trails Program and serves as staff to the New Jersey Trails Council. She collaborates with various stakeholders, including state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations, to foster the connection and development of trail networks across the state.
Prior to this role, Mackenzie served as a Compliance Officer for the NJDEP Office of Transactions and Public Land Administration. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Ecosystems Science & Policy from the University of Miami and a Masters degree in Environmental and Community Land Planning from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Tiffany Robinson
Tiffany Robinson has over 20 years of experience in transportation and urban planning across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on how walking, biking, and public space function in people’s daily lives. Guided by the Māori proverb that asks, “What is the most important thing in the world?” and answers, He tangata, he tangata, he tangata (it is the people), her work centers on creating environments that support safety, dignity, and connection. She is the Trails and Active Mobility Director at the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition, leading the North Jersey Trail Network Initiative and statewide efforts to strengthen active mobility. She believes active transportation is essential infrastructure that, when done well, supports opportunity and connection for everyone.
Matthew J. Johnson, P.P., A.I.C.P.
Matt Johnson holds the position of Deputy Director for the Resource Conservation Department, Burlington County, New Jersey. In that capacity, he heads-up the County Open Space Program, purchasing targeted properties and developing regional park and trail facilities to add to the Burlington County Park System and greater Philadelphia Circuit Trail Network. To date, Matt has led the planning and construction of over a dozen regional parks and 22 miles of regional trails.
Matt earned his BA in Political Science and MA in Public Administration from Rutgers University, NJ. He is also a licensed Planner for the State of New Jersey and has his national planner’s certification.
Jennifer Marandino, PE
Jennifer Marandino is the Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO); after the retirement of Tim Chelius, in 2016, who served in the position since its inception. Mrs. Marandino began with SJTPO in March of 2011, previously serving as Team Leader of Capital Programming and Safety. Before she worked at SJTPO, Mrs. Marandino worked in the traffic and transportation engineering field for 10 years. Mrs. Marandino has over 25 years of experience in the transportation industry.
In her current role as Executive Director, Mrs. Marandino oversees overall SJTPO operations, including semi-annual reporting, the development of SJTPO’s annual budget, and the advancement of project development efforts.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Transportation from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of New Jersey.
Mrs. Marandino lives in the Borough of Newfield (Gloucester County) with her 17-year-old daughter, her husband, and their dog, Flynn Rider. She enjoys serving on the Recreation (Special Events) Committee and is actively involved in planning the annual fall festival and other fun activities.
Tanner Thul, AICP
Tanner Thul is the Senior Transportation Planner in the Division of Engineering at Hudson County. His focus is on grant funding and management, advancing projects on county roads and collaborating across agencies to advance shared goals of safety, mobility and sustainability. His previous career is in supply chain management in the pharmaceutical industry. He holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s in history from the University of Tennessee.
Cheryl Kastrenakes
Cheryl Kastrenakes is the Executive Director of the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association. She is responsible for the organization’s daily operations and the development of its work program to improve mobility, increase safety and further sustainability in Mercer and Ocean counties.
She holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University and a BA in Economics from Rutgers College.
Vijayant (VJ) Rajvanshi, AICP
Vijayant Rajvanshi, AICP, is Middlesex County’s Planning Director focusing on sustainable development, multimodal transportation, and resilient infrastructure. He also serves as the County’s Director of Network Operations Center and leads the DataCity (Smart Mobility Testing Ground) project, focusing on integrating emerging transportation technologies into existing and future corridors, and guiding the design and development of the County’s state-of-the-art Network Operations Center at the Health and Life Sciences Exchange (HELIX) campus in New Brunswick.
Vijayant functions at the intersection of multimodal transportation planning and cutting-edge technology for smart streetscapes and pedestrian and vehicular safety. He is a dynamic and results-driven transportation planning leader with 20+ years of experience and a proven track record of driving organizational growth, developing strategic partnerships, and managing large-scale planning initiatives.
Elise Bremer-Nei, AICP, PP
Elise Bremer-Nei is the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator and a licensed professional planner with the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Division of Statewide Planning. Over the last 30 years, she has worked on active transportation issues in both the private and public sector, at the county and the state level. Among other responsibilities, Elise oversees implementation of the statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council and the NJDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center. She also manages staff involved in Freight Planning, the Transit Village Initiative, and coordination with the Office of Planning Advocacy.
Sam Rosenthal, AICP
Sam Rosenthal is a Research Project Coordinator at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC) at Rutgers University. His research focuses on planning for safe, equitable, and accessible transportation. Sam has managed and supported research projects for the NJ Department of Transportation, the NJ Office of Planning Advocacy, and NJ TRANSIT, addressing topics including micromobility safety, designing streets for neurodivergent pedestrians, and the transit experiences of women and LGBTQ+ riders. Sam conducts quantitative and qualitative primary research, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys, to identify best practices that advance transportation safety and equity. He is also experienced with web and graphic design and manages several of VTC’s resource center websites. Sam is well-versed in creating public-facing reports and visual media that effectively communicate research findings and recommendations to planners, practitioners, and the public. Sam received a Master of City and Regional Planning from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and a B.A. in Urban Studies from Vassar College.
Jim Elliott, AICP
Jim Elliott is a Principal Planner at Toole Design and serves as captain of the firm’s Inclusive Design Resource Group. He led Toole Design’s work on an action plan for NJDOT to better address the needs of neurodivergent individuals in its policies, guidance, and procedures. He has also played a leading role in national research on accessible transportation design, including an FHWA project exploring how shared streets, separated bike lanes, and other innovative street designs can better serve people with vision disabilities, and a current effort to develop guidance on making floating bus stops safer and more accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Linda Rapacki
Linda Rapacki is a Travel Instructor with the New Jersey Travel Independence Program (NJTIP) @Rutgers. She comes to VTC with more than 16 years of experience in mobility management, transportation education, Complete Streets adoption, and bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. In her role at NJTIP, Linda provides travel instruction to individuals with disabilities and older adults, helping them develop the skills and confidence to travel independently and safely.
Before joining Rutgers, Linda served as Director of Mobility Management at RideWise, Inc. in Somerset County, where she led the Travel Instruction Program and supported hundreds of residents each year in gaining confidence using public transportation. She also collaborated with municipalities and community stakeholders to advance Complete and Green Streets policies throughout the county. Her professional background also includes leadership roles in digital communications, project management, and technology — including a decade at AT&T leading innovative internal communication initiatives developing web-based systems and digital marketing solutions. Linda is a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) with the League of American Bicyclists and a dedicated advocate for safe, sustainable, and inclusive travel.
Michael Dannemiller, PE
Michael Dannemiller is an Assistant Director in Programmatic Planning at NJ TRANSIT. He is advancing First and Last Mile access and safety, Trails, Bike Parking, and other transit projects. Throughout his 30+ years of experience, he has worked to make it safer for people to get around however they choose to travel. Mr. Dannemiller is experienced in transportation planning, traffic engineering analysis, transit access, and the design of conceptual plans for implementing safe and inclusive transportation facilities. He is a civil engineer and planner focusing on transit access, complete streets, Vision Zero, bicycle/ pedestrian accommodation, traffic calming, trails, freight management, electrification, and transportation planning and design projects.
Francesca Giarratana, AICP, PP
Having grown up in Jersey City, Francesca Giarratana attributes her upbringing to her initial interest in urban planning. She earned her undergraduate degree from American University and Master’s from Rutgers Bloustein School of Planning. She has spent the majority of her career in Hudson County and past major projects include the project manager on a County Bike Share Study and a 2016 Reexamination effort, Planning Board Secretary, lead on Census 2020 outreach for the County, and creating the Hackensack Riverfront Working Group. In her role as Deputy Director, she focuses on the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund and serves as the County Executive’s designee for the Vision Zero Task Force. Francesca continues to reside in the County she’s passionate about with her husband and two young daughters, who have strengthened her conviction and drive to protect green spaces and make our streets safer.
Christopher Gonda
Christopher Gonda is the Program Manager of Operations at Keep Middlesex Moving, the non- profit community transportation management association. Chris’ responsibilities are to help communities in Middlesex County reach their potential for walkability and bike-ability. Chris aims to tailor programming and solutions, that promote opportunities for alternative and active transportation schools, municipalities, community-focused organizations and businesses.
Chris is a League Cycling Instructor through the League of American Bicyclists. Chris also serves the Trails Advisory Committee in his hometown of Franklin Township where his passion for cycling and running inspires his work to develop inclusive opportunities for all people to enjoy the outdoors. Christopher is member of the Raritan regional board for the organization Girls in Gear, a non-profit dedicated to teaching girls, “Life skills through bike skills.”
James Clavelli, AICP, PP
James Clavelli, AICP, PP is an urban and transportation planning consultant at NV5. He has extensive expertise in land use and road safety planning across urban, suburban, and rural communities. James has prepared a wide variety of planning documents, including master plan elements, redevelopment plans, transportation oriented development and mobility studies, and climate and resilience strategies. He has also served as a planning and zoning board planner for multiple municipalities throughout New Jersey, including the cities of Bayonne and Lambertville, the Townships of Readington and Montgomery, and the Boroughs of Jamesburg and Little Ferry.
David Schmetterer, AICP/PP
David Schmetterer holds a Bachelor of Science in Television and Radio Production from the Park School of Communications in Ithaca, New York, and earned his Master of City and Regional Planning from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, New Brunswick.
David holds an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) accreditation, is a member of the American Planning Association, and is a New Jersey Professional Planner (PP).
Since joining the Monmouth County Division of Planning in 2016 as a transportation planner, David has served for five years as the Assistant Director of Planning and contributes to work throughout the Division.
Michael Manzella, AICP
Michael J. Manzella, AICP serves as the Director of Statewide Planning at NJDOT. The Division includes the Bureau of Statewide Strategies (BSWS) and Bureau of Research, Innovation, and Information Transfer (BRIIT) and provides broad, future-oriented direction for the Department’s missions and programs, engages in strategic, performance-based planning and asset management, and develops innovative transportation solutions to enhance mobility, reliability, safety, and quality of life. Mr. Manzella received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Engineering Management with a Minor in Pre-Law and Public Policy from Stevens Institute of Technology in 2009 and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree with a concentration in Transportation Planning and Policy from the Edward J. Bloustein School at Rutgers University in 2014. Mike has previously served as the Director of Transportation in both the City of Jersey City and the City of Asbury Park as well as the Deputy City Manager in Asbury Park. Mike has been responsible for leading municipal Vision Zero initiatives, implemented Complete Streets and low-cost pilot intervention projects to enhance the safety of all users, administered transit, microtransit, and micromobility transportation services, and managing long-range transportation planning efforts.
Jeffrey Perlman, AICP, PP
Jeffery Perlman currently serves as the Senior Director of Planning at the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. He is responsible for overseeing and integrating metropolitan transportation planning initiatives for the North Jersey region. Previously, Jeffrey has worked as a planning consultant for a number of New Jersey municipalities, where he conducted a variety of planning studies including master plans, redevelopment studies, and affordable housing plans. Jeffrey holds a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University, and a Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Jeffrey is a licensed planner in the State of New Jersey and certified with the American Institute of Certified Planners at the American Planning Association.
Betsy Mastaglio, PLA
Betsy Mastaglio leads the Multimodal section of DVRPC, the metropolitan planning organization centered on the Philadelphia region. She is a licensed landscape architect with national experience in both the public and private sectors. Her work is focused on scrutinizing difficult transportation planning ideas into collaborative and livable decisions.
Jenna Monaghan
Jenna Monaghan is an Assistant Planner at the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO), working under the Safety Initiatives and Complete Streets umbrella. In this role, she serves as Project Manager for the Countywide Local Road Safety Plans, coordinating efforts with local partners to identify safety challenges and develop strategies to reduce roadway fatalities and improve conditions for all users.
Her work also includes projects focused on bikeway planning, including involvement in the Atlantic County Bikeway West Project, which aims to expand bicycle infrastructure and connectivity from Philly to the Shore. In addition, Jenna oversees the review of applications for Transportation Alternatives and the Safe Routes to School programs.
Greg Woltman
Greg Woltman is a Research Project Coordinator at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center. His work with the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center includes research focused on micromobility, pedestrian access for older adults, and federal zero deaths initiatives and grant programs. He is interested in multi-modal transportation planning, mixed-use development, and bolstering the car-free lifestyle in New Jersey. Before joining VTC, Greg worked as a freelance computational linguist at Lionbridge Technologies. He received his Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) and Certificate in Transportation from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and a Bachelor’s degree in French and Linguistics from New York University.
William Riviere
William Riviere is a Principal Planner and the Safe Routes to School Coordinator with the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Safety, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs. As the lead administrator of NJDOT’s Local Technical Assistance Program for bicycle and pedestrian projects, Bill provides guidance and expertise in creating streets as corridors for all modes of transportation for all ages and abilities. As the statewide Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Bill oversees the technical assistance program working closely with the Safe Routes Resource Center at Rutgers and all eight New Jersey Transportation Management Associations.
James Sinclair
James Sinclair is a Senior Research Specialist at the Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center. His work includes developing Complete Streets Implementation Plans, analyzing solutions to address distracted driving in New Jersey, and evaluating the New Brunswick Ciclovia.
James is a graduate from the Master of City and Regional Planning program at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. While there, he focused on transportation and urban design, with a special emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian planning. With his undergraduate degree in business administration from Boston University, he was previously involved in bringing a bike share system to the Boston region. That experience solidified his interest in planning for sustainable transportation.
Leigh Ann Von Hagen, AICP, PP
Leigh Ann Von Hagen is a Managing Director and Adjunct Professor with the Voorhees Transportation Center at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. As a licensed professional planner, Leigh Ann has over 20 years of experience in transportation and land use planning, specializing in creating healthy, active communities for all ages and abilities through design, research, education, and training. Leigh Ann is currently the managing director for the NJ Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes and Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Centers and conducts research and training on Health Impact Assessment and health in all policies.
Eric Powers, AICP, PP
Eric Powers joined the New Jersey Department of Transportation in 2001 as a Transportation Planner in the Division of Statewide Planning serving as project manager for the State’s first Statewide Freight Transportation Plan. From 2008 to 2011 he worked directly for the Assistant Commissioner of Planning. In 2011, he returned to the Division of Statewide Planning to lead the MPO Liaison unit. He was promoted to Section Chief in the Bureau of Trucking services in 2013 and in 2014 he joined the Division of Capital Investment Planning and Development as the Manager of the Bureau of Capital Program Coordination. He was promoted to Director of Capital Investment and Program Coordination in 2017 and served in that capacity until being appointed to the position of Assistant Commissioner of Statewide Planning, Safety and Capital Investment in October of 2023.
Eric earned a BS in Economics with a concentration in Public Sector Finance from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University. He is a licensed Professional Planner in the State of New Jersey and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners.