Authority Management/Governance
Dr. Richard J. Wolff, Executive Director
Richard J. Wolff, served as Chairman of the Authority from its inception in 1988 until 2013. In February 2013, he assumed the duties of Executive Director. He is a former managing partner at an international consulting firm, Kreab Gavin Anderson, and the former chief executive officer and vice-chairman of Grayling Global, a global consulting firm specializing in financial and corporate communications. He holds an A.B. from Georgetown University, Phi Beta Kappa, and an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from Columbia University. He also served as a dean and professor at St. John's University. He has written several books and many articles on social and economic history, investor relations, business, and wastewater issues.
Donald R. Conger III, P.E., Authority Engineer
Donald Conger has been the Authority Engineer since 2023 and has been working on Authority projects since 2003. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer and Wastewater Operator in New Jersey. Before coming to the Authority, he was Project Director in charge of plant and collection systems operations and maintenance for all NHSA Facilities for 9 years. He also spent 9 years with an environmental consulting firm performing water and wastewater design work, as well as construction management and inspection for clients across New York and New Jersey. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Syracuse University, and an MS in environmental engineering from NJIT. He is a member of the New Jersey Water Environment Association.
Fredric J. Pocci, P.E., Special Advisor
Fredric J. Pocci is the Special Advisor to Executive Director focusing on the long-term control plan. He previously served as the Authority Engineer from 1991 till 2023. He also served as the Executive Director from 1991 to 2013. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in New Jersey and New York. Before coming to the Authority, he was chief operating officer of a New York real estate firm, assistant commissioner with the N.Y.C. Departments of Buildings and General Services, and Division Chief of Sewer Construction and Maintenance for the NYC DEP. He holds an MS in management and a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from NYU and a BS from St. John's University. He is an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a member of the Association of Environmental Authorities of New Jersey. He has contributed to several articles on waste water management and design issues.
Linda Kish, Chief Operating Officer - Chief Financial Officer
Omar Vicioso, Director of Communications - Chief of Staff to the Executive Director
Brian Kappock, Chairman
Commissioner Kappock, a resident of Weehawken, graduated from Rutgers University and earned his law degree from the City University of New York. Currently, Mr. Kappock maintains a law practice in Hoboken. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Children’s Therapy Center which helps educate and assist children with all types of special needs. Commissioner Kappock is married to Filomena Kappock, and they have three children.
Edward Friedrich, Commissioner
Commissioner Friedrich is a lifelong resident of New Jersey. He grew up in Gloucester County, is a graduate of Rutgers College, New Brunswick with a degree in physics, and has lived in Hoboken since 2001 where he has been an active member of the community. He has served as both the vice president (2004 - 2011) and president (2011 - present) of his condo association. Researching flood mitigation ideas while working with former Mayor Zimmer (2007), he came across the CSOnet technology which the mayor eventually moved forward in coordination with the NHSA. He is also a current member of the Hoboken Rebuild by Design Citizen Advisory Group (CAG). He works in Information Technology for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His interests include technology, being outdoors, traveling, and playing many sports including snowboarding, soccer, tennis, kayaking, sailing, running, triathlons.
Kurt Gardiner, Commissioner
Commissioner Gardiner has lived in Hoboken since 2003 and is originally from the City of Saratoga Springs, New York. He holds a BA in Mathematics with honors from Skidmore College. Active in the local community, Kurt previously published a community website focused on local issues. He has worked in the NYC area for over 20 years as a project manager in Information Technology, with a particular specialization in Enterprise Resource Management.
Margarita Guzman, Commissioner
Commissioner Guzaman was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She is a passionate public servant who is committed to the residents of Hudson County, especially her hometown of West New York. She graduated college with degrees in advertising and law, and later went on to pursue a teaching certification. In addition to working as a teacher at the Hudson County Schools of Technology, she is an active member of her community. In 2015, she was first elected to the West New York Board of Commissioners, and presently serves as the Commissioner of Revenue and Finance. She has served on multiple governing boards in West New York, including the housing authority and the planning board, as well as political organizations, as vice chair of the local Democratic committee. She is excited to work with her fellow colleagues and the managing administration of the NHSA.
Libero Marotta, Commissioner
Commissioner Marrota is a life-long resident of Union City. He graduated from New York University and received his law degree from New York Law School. He has served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Union City and Borough Attorney for the Borough of East Newark. He maintains a law office for the general practice of law. He is the father of a daughter, Lee Darin, and a son, Neil.
Alejandro “Alex” Velazquez, Commissioner
Commissioner Velazquez was born and raised in Union City. He is intimately familiar with the densely populated City and its infrastructure, having served as a Housing and Health Inspector for over thirteen years. Commissioner Velazquez is currently the Deputy Director of the Health Department. The Commissioner is a graduate of Union Hill High School in Union City.
Erika Zucconi, Commissioner
Commissioner Zucconi is a life-long resident of Weehawken. She received her BA in political science from Wagner College and MSW from Rutgers University. She currently holds the position of school social worker for the Weehawken Board of Education. Commissioner Zucconi is also the Second Vice Chairperson of the North Hudson Community Action Corporation on whose board she has served since 2007.
Victor Barrera, Commissioner
Commissioner Barrera is a lifelong resident of West New York. He has dedicated his life to working with the senior citizens in our community as a small business owner. He is the current Commissioner of Parks & Public Property & Senior Affairs in the Township of West New York.
Victor is the Founder of the Casa Manito Adult Day Care Center and the Rise & Shine Adult Day Care Center and the former Executive Director of Senior Citizen Services for the Town of West New York. Victor has served his community as a former Trustee of the West New York Board of Education a former Member of the West New York Planning Board and a former Commissioner of the West New York Parking Authority.