Building on Success

NJIT TAB Expands Team and Welcomes Acting Executive Director Amid Continued Growth

Newark, NJ – September 2024 – The NJIT Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities (TAB) Program and Center for Community Systems (CCS) are entering an exciting new chapter as Dr. Colette Santasieri, the long-serving Executive Director, announces her retirement. Dr. Santasieri, who has been a transformative leader over the past 40 years, will be succeeded by Sean Vroom, who has been appointed as the Acting Executive Director. This leadership transition follows a significant expansion of the Center for Community System team, positioning NJIT TAB for continued growth and deeper impact.

Adding to this momentous occasion, Dr. Santasieri was recently honored with the prestigious 2024 Geoffrey R. Forrest Outstanding Individual Achievement Award from the Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast (BCONE), recognizing her remarkable contributions to the field of brownfield redevelopment and her dedication to revitalizing communities across the country.

Dr. Colette Santasieri: A Legacy of Leadership and Vision

Dr. Santasieri’s distinguished career includes securing and managing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for projects in environmental, infrastructure, and land use planning. With expertise spanning from sustainable community design to brownfield redevelopment, her leadership has shaped the NJIT TAB Program into a national model of excellence, bringing a comprehensive and strategic perspective to every initiative she led.

Reflecting on her retirement, Dr. Santasieri remarked, "It has been an honor to serve as the Executive Director of NJIT TAB and Center for Community Systems. Together, we have accomplished so much, and I am confident that under Sean’s leadership, the Center will continue to thrive and expand its reach to even more communities. I look forward to watching the continued success of this incredible team."

Mimi Marcus, Manager of Marketing & Engagement at NJIT CCS, reflected on the transition, saying, "Colette’s leadership has been nothing short of inspiring, leaving an indelible mark on both the Center and the communities we serve. Her vision and dedication set a high standard of excellence that resonates throughout our work. Under Colette and Sean's thoughtful guidance, this transition has been remarkably smooth. It’s been a privilege to work in an environment where passion and compassion are at the core of our leadership. While we will deeply miss Colette, we are confident that Sean’s leadership will continue to build upon the strong foundation they have established."

Sean Vroom: A Visionary Leader Takes the Helm

Stepping into the role of Acting Executive Director is Sean Vroom, who has been a pivotal figure at NJIT TAB, serving as the Director of the Center for Community Systems. With more than 30 years of experience in the environmental and infrastructure fields, Mr. Vroom has co-led the development of the Center’s programs alongside Dr. Santasieri. His expertise in sustainable community planning, brownfield redevelopment, and stakeholder engagement positions him perfectly to lead the Center through its next phase of growth.

"I am deeply honored to step into this role at such a critical and exciting time for the NJIT TAB Program," said Mr. Vroom. "Colette has been an inspiring mentor, and I am committed to building on the solid foundation we’ve established. With our expanded team, we are poised to drive even greater impact, helping communities turn underutilized properties into valuable assets."

Cailyn Bruno: Acknowledging Leadership and Looking Forward

Cailyn Bruno, PG, LSRP, rounds up the Center’s leadership team as Director of Environmental Services. Ms. Bruno brings over 16 years of experience in environmental investigation, assessment, and remediation. She plays a vital role in helping communities navigate the brownfields regulatory process, interpreting technical and scientific documents, and providing guidance on site redevelopment strategies and health risks.

Reflecting on the leadership transition, Ms. Bruno shared, "Colette’s visionary leadership, particularly as a woman in this field, has been personally inspiring and instrumental in shaping NJIT TAB into a national leader in brownfield redevelopment. Her unwavering commitment to empowering communities and breaking barriers has set an example for all of us. As we move forward under Sean's direction, I am confident that his deep expertise and passion for sustainable community planning will continue to drive our mission forward. I’m excited to be part of this next chapter and to work with such a dedicated and diverse team."

Strategic Team Expansion Fuels Growth

In anticipation of this leadership transition, the NJIT TAB Program has strategically expanded its team to enhance its capacity to serve communities in EPA Regions 2 and 4. This expansion includes the recent appointment of Dawn Bembry Breeden, CEM as the Manager of Brownfield Redevelopment. Ms. Bembry brings over 25 years of experience as an environmental professional, specializing in managing brownfield site revitalization, environmental assessments, and remediation management. She has led redevelopment projects from inception to completion, ensuring regulatory compliance while overseeing project plans, timelines, and budgets. Her experience in conducting Phase I Environmental Assessments and NJ Preliminary Assessments, coupled with her coordination with environmental consultants and regulatory entities, brings invaluable expertise to the Center’s mission.

Dawn Bembry: A Wealth of Experience and Knowledge

Sue Boyle, former Assistant Commissioner, NJDEP, former Executive Director for NYC Brownfield Partnership and former President of BCONE, expressed enthusiasm about Dawn Bembry’s addition to the NJIT TAB team, stating, "Dawn brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the NJIT TAB Program. Her deep understanding of environmental assessments, site investigations, and redevelopment strategies will be invaluable in supporting communities across EPA Regions 2 and 4. We are excited to see the innovative solutions and tangible impact she will drive in her new role, helping to revitalize underutilized properties and turn them into community assets."

Other key hires include:

This new team has already begun to expand the Center's network, hosting numerous community workshops, educational forums, and webinars at no cost, effectively broadening the reach and impact of the NJIT TAB Program.

On the transition in leadership and her new role, Environmental Sustainability Planner Carrie Martin notes “I’m proud to be part of such a talented team of professionals driven to help underserved communities transform and thrive. I’m grateful for Colette’s leadership, vision, and support and I know moving forward under Sean’s leadership, we’ll be able to execute her vision and hope to make her proud.”

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for NJIT TAB

With a $10 million EPA grant to support its work as the TAB provider for Regions 2 & 4, the NJIT TAB Program is well-positioned to lead the way in brownfield redevelopment. Under Sean Vroom's leadership, the Center will prioritize brownfield forums and a robust network of resources, with aggressive goals to expand knowledge and awareness of the resources available to local, regional, and state government and nonprofit entities for redeveloping underutilized and potentially contaminated properties into community assets.

Closing Remarks from Dr. Santasieri:

"As I step back from my role, I am filled with immense pride in what we have achieved together. The NJIT TAB Program is stronger than ever, and I am grateful to have been part of its journey. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire team, our partners, and the communities we serve. The future is bright, and I am excited to see where this next chapter leads."

About NJIT TAB: NJIT Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities Program (TAB) provides free technical assistance to state, regional, county, tribal, and local government entities and nonprofit organizations interested in learning about, identifying, assessing, cleaning up, and redeveloping  brownfield sites in EPA Regions 2 and 4 (NJ, NY, PR, US VI, AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN and federally recognized tribes therein).  Funded by the U.S. EPA, NJIT TAB offers tailored technical assistance through expert guidance on environmental assessments, remediation strategies, funding opportunities, and more.

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