Summer on Long Island makes us think of beaches, tourism, and crowded parkways, yet behind all of it lies an enormous amount of infrastructure, planning, transportation, logistics, and workforce coordination that keeps the region moving. This issue of Road Warriors takes a closer look at many of the systems and the people behind them that quietly shape daily life across our Island.
Our cover story profiles Rear Admiral Anthony Ceraolo, the new Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. A Nesconset native with an extraordinary career spanning Coast Guard command, homeland security, and maritime policy at the White House, Admiral Ceraolo returns home at a pivotal moment for the Academy and the Nation’s maritime future. As Kings Point embarks on an ambitious modernization effort expected to total nearly $3 billion over the next decade, the Academy stands at the intersection of infrastructure, workforce development, transportation, and national security.
Also in this issue, LICA Executive Director Marc Herbst reflects on the region’s changing infrastructure priorities and the workforce challenges facing the heavy construction industry. Congressman Nick LaLota discusses federal investment, tax relief, and efforts to return more resources to Long Island communities. We also take readers behind the scenes of the emergency stabilization and reopening of the Smith Point Bridge with Suffolk County DPW’s Kyle Swaringen, P.E., highlighting the engineering, coordination, and urgency required to restore this critical corridor ahead of summer travel season.
This issue also explores the future of offshore wind and marine construction through the perspective of the Dock builders Union, while Financial Perspectives contributor Rocco Carriero offers guidance on long-term retirement planning for business owners and industry professionals. In our Not-for-Profit Perspectives section, Devon Giordano, Executive Director of the Long Island Conservancy shares its mission to protect and restore Long Island’s natural environment through native planting and conservation initiatives.
Finally, we close this issue celebrating the connections that continue to strengthen our industry community, including highlights from another successful LICA Golf Tournament and recent gatherings that brought together contractors, labor leaders, engineers, elected officials, and industry partners from across the region.
As always, thank you for your continued support of LICA and Road Warriors. We hope you enjoy the issue. Stay safe out there!
Thank you,
Jaime Franchi
Editor-in-Chief
Road Warriors Magazine