MBDI Gala 2024 by AMHC

Transforming Lives Together 2024 AWARDS GALA

Honorees

Rick Cotton Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Rick Cotton became Executive Director of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in August 2017. Prior to joining the Port Authority, Mr. Cotton served as New York State’s Special Counsellor for Interagency Initiatives, serving as the point person for most of the Governor’s major downstate infrastructure priorities.

Mr. Cotton joined New York State following 25 years at NBC Universal, where he held several positions, including 20 years as EVP and General Counsel and four years as President and Managing Director of CNBC Europe. He has served in senior advisory roles at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare and the U.S. Department of Energy. Mr. Cotton is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School, and he served as a law clerk to Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Honorees

Stephen L. Davis Chairman & Founder

The Will Group

More than 38 years ago, Stephen L. Davis founded The Will Group to honor his father, William E. Davis, known for his integrity and hard work. The Will Group, with the mantra “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” has since launched numerous companies, created hundreds of jobs, and executed large-scale projects like the replacement of 300,000 LED lighting fixtures for ComEd and the City of Chicago.

The company has been consistently recognized by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the Top 100 Black businesses. Currently, The Will Group is expanding its facilities with a 75,000 sq. ft. addition, creating over 200 jobs and supporting clean energy initiatives. Mr. Davis, passionate about economic development and philanthropy, has been actively involved in various boards and charitable foundations, including the William and Mary Davis Foundation and the Tuskegee NEXT Foundation, helping empower individuals and communities.

Honorees

Steven Alessio CEO & President Sweet Construction Group

Steven Alessio, RA, brings over 40 years of expertise in construction, architecture, and design-build projects. Joining Sweet Group LLC (formerly Sweet Construction Group) in 1980 as an intern, he became President in 1995, driving the firm’s growth while upholding its standards of quality and competitive pricing. As principal, he oversees all phases of project delivery, from planning to completion.

Sweet, founded in 1912, has delivered numerous notable projects for esteemed clients such as Chanel, Coca-Cola, Disney, Rolex, and Sotheby’s. The firm has also contributed significantly to public initiatives, including post-Hurricane Sandy recovery, COVID-19 vaccination sites, and field hospital construction.

Mr. Alessio excels in value engineering, fast-track construction, and business operations optimization, leveraging his architectural training to improve operations and financial performance. He holds a B.A. in Architecture from the New York Institute of Technology, is a licensed architect in New York, and serves on various industry boards, including Columbia University's Center for Buildings, Infrastructure, and Public Space.

Honorees

Jennifer Aument Chief Executive Officer

The New Terminal One at JFK

Jennifer Aument is Chief Executive Officer of The New Terminal One, a private consortium developing a world-class international terminal that will anchor the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s $19 billion redevelopment of John F. Kennedy Airport. The New Terminal One’s $9.5 billion first phase, scheduled to open in 2026, is the largest single-asset project financing in US history and the nation’s largest public-private partnership.

Jennifer brings more than 25 years of experience in developing and delivering major infrastructure projects across the highway, rail, airport and port sectors, with a focus on public- private partnerships. She has a strong track record of advancing complex infrastructure and megaprojects efficiently and safely on behalf of leading equity investors and developers, for both the private and public sectors.

Prior to joining The New Terminal One in April 2024, Jennifer served as Chief Executive of AECOM’s Global Transportation business, leading a team of 14,000 to deliver innovative transportation solutions for clients of the pre-eminent transportation consulting and design firm. She previously served as President and CEO of leading infrastructure investor Transurban’s North American business, where she oversaw the development, financing and operations of major toll road infrastructure in the US and Canada In addition to her private sector experience, Jennifer served for a decade on the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Port Authority. She has contributed to the boards of several publicly listed and private organizations in the transportation and technology sectors, including investment firms Meridiam and Strategic Value Partners and the non-profit transportation policy think-tank, Eno Center for Transportation. Jennifer has also served as an Executive in Residence at Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy, where she taught a graduate course on delivering modern mega transportation projects.

6pm 7pm 8pm 8:25pm 9:20pm 10:00pm

Program Menu

Cocktail Reception

Honoree & Award Ceremony

Dinner

Honoree & Award Ceremony Continues

Cocktails & Networking

Event Concludes

FIRST COURSE

ASIAN SALAD

Asian greens, baby green oak, pickled cucumber, frizzled shallots, watermelon radish, black garlic sesame vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choice of:

GRILLED FILET MIGNON

Chimichurri, mint fava bean puree, pomegranate kernels

MAPLE-GLAZED CHILEAN SEA BASS

Spinach, quinoa, bursted cherry tomatoes, saffron beurre blanc, frizzled leeks

SEARED CAULIFLOWER STEAK | Vegetarian option available upon request

Brunoise of root vegetables, golden raisings, tumberic glacé

DESSERT

CARMELIA FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

Whipped milk chocolate ganache

Grade Industrial Supply is a leading supplier of concrete materials and products. We have an extensive inventory and the ability to fabricate rebar onsite. Our warehouses are fully stocked to fill your orders promptly.

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Steven Alessio CEO & President, Sweet Construction Group Stephen L. Davis Chairman & Founder, The Will Group

Aument Chief Executive Officer, The New Terminal One