Monetizing the Infrastructure and Jobs Act
11:00-11:50am
Breakout Room- Lindy
Moderator- Gerrard Bushell
Chair CAG Holdings
Dr. Gerrard P. Bushell is the Former Executive Chair of The New Terminal One at JFK, and the Chair of CAG Holdings, the airport investment platform of The Carlyle Group. He brings a wealth of experience from business, government, and labor. He combines expertise as a major financier of infrastructure projects, and senior advisor raising capital. He leads the New Terminal One Development Corporation charged with delivering one of the nation’s largest Public/Private Partnerships with the NY/NJ Port Authority. New Terminal One at JFK airport is a $7 billion enterprise delivering global and local retail brands, food and beverage, and transformational customer experiences. The project will execute more than $1 billion dollars of community benefits across three phases; this includes 40% community participation for local jobs and businesses, and MWBE goals beyond 30%. Dr. Bushell was appointed President & CEO of DASNY in 2015. He led the nation’s top issuer of infrastructure financing, and infrastructure project management; successfully executing strong local, and MWBE participation on DASNY’s projects. Under Dr. Bushell’s leadership, DASNY issued more than $38 billion of municipal debt for public and private infrastructure projects across New York State for higher education, health services, science + technology, and government justice clients. DASNY as a builder, also executed on a construction portfolio valued at more than $6 billion across New York State. Dr. Bushell came to DASNY as an accomplished investment advisor where he counseled leading institutional investors and raised private and public investment capital. He was a senior sales and client officer selling investment solutions for Alcentra and Insight at BNY Mellon, Director in the Client Partner Group at KKR, Managing Director at Arden Asset Management, and the Head of Institutional Sales at the Legg Mason Company, ClearBridge Advisors, formerly Citi Asset management. Dr. Bushell started his career in government and labor serving in senior roles for NYC Councilwoman C. Virginia Fields, District Council 37, AFSCME, and NYS Comptroller H. Carl McCall. A graduate of Columbia University in both the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Bushell received a B.A., M.A., and PhD. from the Department of Political Sciences.
Patrick Askew
Executive Vice President, PM/CM - Aviation
Patrick Askew has more than 25 years of design and construction industry experience, which includes public, private and not for profit clients. His experience touches various sectors, including new-build and renovations for Academic, Piers, Port & Terminals, Hospitals, Libraries, Markets, Sports Stadiums, Cultural Facilities, Transportation Infrastructure, Utility Infrastructure, Waterfront Esplanades, Streetscapes and Pedestrian Improvement projects with some having extensive sustainability goals. Patrick joined McKissack in 2014 to serve as one of McKissack’s leaders on the MTA Independent Engineering (IEC) contract, providing support and management of a team of approximately 21 industry engineers, subject-matter experts and construction professionals in the administrative oversight, monitoring, and project/program analysis of the MTA’s 32-billion-dollar capital program. In 2016, Patrick joined New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCEDC”) Capital Division to successfully lead and manage a $9+ billion project portfolio, including 95+ projects in design/construction, as well as 45+ engineers, architects, landscape architects, and other technical and administrative project support staff. He provided executive oversight for all capital design and construction work which includes large scale infrastructure projects, such as: Design & Construction of the New York Mets Minor League Stadium in Coney Island Brooklyn, design & construction of the Coney Island Hospital, East Midtown Greenway, and the iconic West Thames Pedestrian Bridge. In addition to his core capital projects he also played a key role in the development of the proposed state-of-the-art BQX Streetcar transportation system. Patrick returned to McKissack in 2020 to serve as Deputy Director and Risk Manager for the $9.5B New JFK Terminal One (NTO) Project where he was part of the Development Management leadership team that successfully closed one of the largest P3 projects in the country. Mr. Askew also helped lead the New JFK Terminal One Development group in establishing the Project Management Office, which oversees the delivery of the $9.5 billion World Class International Terminal. Patrick is a graduate of Temple and New York University and holds a bachelor’s and master’s in civil engineering, and a master’s in business administration. He is now an Adjunct Professor of Design & Construction Management at New York University and Columbia University.
Andrew Simmons
Founder
With over 20 years in the construction industry, Andrew Simmons is the co-founder of Lashay’s Construction & Development. Founded in 1996, the firm specializes in commercial and residential projects, school and college construction and the development of transportation and infrastructure projects. Simmons has managed numerous development projects as a prime contractor totaling more than $10 million, including the Port Jervis Train Station, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Avenue N and Avenue X train stations, East Side Access and Whitestone Bridge. Also, as a subcontractor Lashay’s Construction has successfully and safely completed over 100 projects for prime contractors on time and on budget. In 2014, Simmons launched A&S Rebar, the first African American-owned, full-service rebar manufacturing company that estimates, purchases, details, fabricates and distributes reinforced steel and welded wire fabric. A&S Rebar was awarded its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and is uniquely positioned as a supplier and manufacturer in New York State with the capacity to furnish, fabricate and sell steel for major construction projects. Simmons has received several awards and proclamations, including the Developers in the Community Award from the Housing Council and a Certificate of Recognition from the Honorable Senator Ada L. Smith for his work and commitment in the community. Recently, Simmons received the Housing & Economic Development Award from the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators. Simmons received a diploma from the School of Paralegal Studies and a degree in Building Construction Management from New York University. Andrew Simmons is also the co-founder and former executive director of the Center for Urban Rehabilitation and Empowerment (C.U.R.E.), a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing in Westchester County and its surrounding communities. Founded in 1999, C.U.R.E is certified as a 501(3)(c) and Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). Working through C.U.R.E., Simmons partnered with the City of Yonkers to assist with the development of affordable homes in distressed areas. In 2005, Simmons led the company in a $1 million development of two-family homes overlooking the Hudson River. In 2010, the company completed a $3.5 million development of a 12-unit condominium, called Lillie Pearl on the Hudson, named after his late mother, Lillie Pearl. As an advocate for local economic and community empowerment, Simmons also created My Brother’s Keeper, a program that trains and employs young adults in the community. Through this program, participants receive employment on C.U.R.E. construction projects and an opportunity to earn their GED at Westchester Community College. Andrew still hires young adults through his Brother’s Keeper Program and hire people to work with Lashay’s Construction for infrastructure projects and currently working in A&S Rebar fabrication shop.
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Lourdes Zapata
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
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Lourdes Zapata serves as the MTA Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, after leading the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, locally known as SoBro. As the MTA’s CDIO, Zapata is charged with ensuring equitable access to economic opportunities for Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and eliminating barriers to their participation in obtaining MTA contracts and supporting equal opportunity for MTA employees. Prior to joining SoBro, Zapata was appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo as Chief Diversity Officer for the State of New York, where she was engaged in policy and program development to increase the participation of women and people of color in all areas of State government. She also served the State as Executive Vice President of the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development at Empire State Development. Her responsibilities included the development and oversight of statewide MWBE procurement policy as required by Article 15A of the Executive Law. She oversaw the Division’s certification, compliance and business development activities, and worked with State Commissioners and the Legislature on matters affecting the MWBE community. Her public service also extends to her earlier tenure as Community Development Director for the City of Newburgh in Orange County. Born and raised in the Bronx, Zapata received her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University and her Bachelor’s Degree from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.
Mark Ferguson
Founder/CEO
Mark J. Ferguson is an accomplished investment banking and structured products professional with 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Innervation Finance Group, Inc., a leading provider of supply chain finance solutions focused on addressing the access to capital challenges of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those run by MWBEs. Prior to founding Innervation Finance Group, Mark served as a Managing Director in the Global Investment Banking Group at JP Morgan. Before that, he led the lower-middle market advisory firm, Harbourview Capital Management, and was Head of the Exotic Products business of ABN AMRO. Mark is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach to business. He purchased and ran the American Can & Spool Company, which was the original manufacturer of the metal Band-Aid box, after long stint at Bankers Trust Company where he was head of the structured note business. Mark earned a BSc in Finance and International Business from the Stern School of Business at New York University.