Project Service

Paul Gessner

Email: *********@********.***

Address: *** ****** *****

City: Westfield

State: NJ

Zip: 07090

Country: USA

Phone: 908-***-****

Skill Level: Management

Salary Range: $80,000

Willing to Relocate

Primary Skills/Experience:

See Resume

Educational Background:

See Resume

Job History / Details:

Paul K. Gessner

285 Seneca Place

Westfield, NJ 07090-4337

908-***-**** *********@********.*** Cell: 908-***-****

www.gessnertransportation.vpweb.com

Port and Intermodal Transportation Professional who utilizes proven multi-modal expertise in freight transportation project planning and management, strategic analysis and policy development in support of infrastructure project studies and implementation, and operational effectiveness.

BACKGROUND SUMMARY

Extensive and progressively responsible consulting experience has included:

Marine Highway Project Development

Intermodal Project Management

Intermodal Service Development

Rail Operations

Rail Facility Planning

Rail Traffic Forecasting

Terminal Capacity Analysis

Commercial Vehicle Operations

System Performance

Regulatory and Legislative Compliance

Strategic Market Planning

Grant Application and Proposal Writing

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Awarded the Port Authority (PA) Port Commerce Department (PCD) Director's Team Project Award for developing an innovative research approach that was instrumental in obtaining legal authorization from the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to construct the Chemical Coast Connector. This $52 million project was vital to restoring rail freight service to the Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island in 2007 after an absence of 16 years.

Key member of the Port Authority team tasked with negotiating the terms of support with the two Class I railroads when they applied to the STB to acquire and split the assets of the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail). Reviewed and evaluated legal submissions, especially the operational proposals, to ensure that the Port Authority's marine terminals would receive the appropriate level of competitive rail service to handle the Port's anticipated growth in marine container traffic.

Performed financial and operational transactions analyses and drafted testimony as part of the litigation filed on behalf of the Trustees of the bankrupt Penn Central Transportation Company against the United States Railway Association. The claim, to determine the value of the rail assets transferred to Conrail in 1976, was settled for $2.1 billion in 1980.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Union County College (UCC), Cranford, NJ (Fall 2010 - present)

Adjunct Mathematics Professor teaching Elementary Statistics and Intermediate Algebra.

Tutor Supervisor at UCC's Academic Learning Center, a peer tutoring service.

Gessner Transportation Consulting (GTC), LLC, Westfield, NJ (2007 - present)

As Principal of GTC, prepared a comprehensive grant application seeking $19.5 million in Federal Stimulus (TIGER Grant I) funding to redevelop an unused pier to serve a large logistics park in New Jersey using the Marine Highway network and on-dock rail service.

Performed a rail intermodal freight analysis and developed a white paper as part of a large transportation planning study for a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) client.

Produced a complex rail intermodal shipping plan analysis as part of a major logistics strategy review for a Midwest consumer products manufacturer.

US Department of Transportation (USDOT), Maritime Administration (MARAD), North Atlantic Gateway Office (NAGO), New York, NY (2008 - 2009)

As a Port and Intermodal Specialist (contracted GS-13 equivalent), worked closely with MARAD headquarters, project stakeholders, MPOs, State and City Departments of Transportation (DOTs), the I-95 Corridor Coalition, and other maritime industry representatives to identify, develop, analyze and advance projects to move goods efficiently in an environmentally and cost-effective manner using short sea shipping via Marine Highways to reduce highway congestion and promote economic development.

Organized, reviewed, and evaluated project applications to receive Federal funding, both Annual and Stimulus Programs, for security enhancements from the Port Security Grant Program as a participant on Area Maritime Security Committees; made recommendations to the appropriate Northeast US Coast Guard Captains of the Port.

As part of the NAGO, the day-to-day presence throughout the Northeast section of the Maritime Transportation System (MTS), developed a comprehensive outreach strategy to proactively advance the transportation policies and infrastructure improvements supported by USDOT and MARAD. My network of stakeholders is based on more than 30 years of cultivating important contacts in the port, rail and intermodal industries as well as within public sector transportation and economic development agencies.

Assisted in the organization and implementation of protocol for visiting government and industry officials; e.g., while the Director of the NAGO was on leave, working cooperatively with headquarters staff, served as the local liaison for the successful development and execution of a Merchant Marine Award Ceremony in May 2009, presided over by USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood and the (then) Governors of New York and New Jersey.

On behalf of the Director of the NAGO, in a timely fashion, prepared required administrative reports, substantive responses to official inquiries from headquarters and other Gateway Offices, and outside research requests. Developed and monitored the budget, time-keeping, leave reporting, and expense reports. Effectively managed the NAGO while the Director was on leave during two of the twelve months of employment. Updated the material for three Gateway Offices on MARAD's official website.

Participated in required Agency and USDOT online training courses, including a portion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Program.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New York, NY (1987 - 2007)

As Senior Freight Specialist, contributed specialized technical expertise for the Port Commerce Department's $600 million intermodal rail capital plan in support of the physical and operational planning and development of projects intended to increase existing, and initiate new, rail services to Port Authority marine terminals.

Advanced the planning and implementation of a regional rail freight agenda intended to increase the capacity and efficiency of the region's rail system, especially those projects and policies which would benefit and complement PA marine and intermodal facilities.

Analyzed and assessed regional and national intermodal rail traffic data and trends in support of management decision-making.

Provided expertise to PCD industry relations unit and other PA departments on operational, regulatory, and legislative issues related to commercial vehicle operations, such as truck safety, truck routes, size and weight regulations, hours of service, and technology.

Advised other PA departments and external transportation agencies, e.g., MPOs and State and City DOTs, on regional freight studies and planning and policy issues.

DNS Associates, Lexington, MA (1981 - 1987)

As Senior Rail Analyst, applied the proprietary Operations and Costing Methodology (OCM) computer programs to analyze rail traffic trends, diversions, operations and costs for a railroad client who was trying to reorganize following bankruptcy. The client successfully merged with another railroad.

Charles River Associates, Boston, MA (1978 - 1981)

As a Research Associate, prepared a handbook describing eligible projects and the application process for municipalities interested in pursuing Federal funding of transportation systems management initiatives.

Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (1976 - 1978)

As a Research Assistant, utilized statistical software packages to perform aircraft collision risk analysis for low-flying aircraft traveling to and from offshore oil rigs on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration.

EDUCATION

MSE, Civil Engineering, Transportation Program, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (1978).

BS, Applied Mathematics and Statistics (with a double major in Economics), State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY (1976).

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Transportation Research Forum (TRF):

Member, New England Chapter (1981 - 1986), New York Chapter (1987 - present).

Secretary, National (2008 - present).

Vice President, Public Relations, National (1998 - 2008).

President, National (1995).

Secretary-Treasurer, New York Chapter (1990 - present).

Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS):

Member, Greater New York Chapter (2009 - present).

Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP):

Member and Officer, New York City Roundtable (1988 - 1998, 2010 - present).

HONORS AND AWARDS

Recipient, Herbert O. Whitten TRF Service Award (2000).

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Literacy Volunteers of Union County, Plainfield, NJ (2009 - present):

GED Mathematics Tutor.

Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Hillside, NJ (2000 - present):

Food and clothing sorting and packing.

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