104-24 Exhibits-Economic Development Counsultant - 2024.pdf

Team Qualifications Staffing Plan & Organization The successful completion of multiple economic development and planning services to the Township of West Orange requires a diverse pool of experienced planning professionals capable of performing tass within their area of subject matter expertise. Nishuane Group 6 aware that the success of any plan, initiative or project 6 dependent upon the close collaboration required between our team's staff and project personnel of our clients. The proposed organization of personnel resources outlined in this proposal brings together a team of experienced planning professionals that can focus on project objectives, provide the Township expertise support and engagement as well as respond to unattended circumstances or issues should they arise. Nishuane Group Principal & Managing Partner, Michele S. Delisfort, PP/AICP, will serve to help interace with client management and be involved in the draft and final development of the Strategic Action Plan. She attended the Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University and eamed a Masters in City & Regional Planning. She is an American Institute Certified Planner (AICP) (Certification # 024640) and is a New Jersey Professional Planner (PP) (License#: 331100615500). Additionally, Senior Associate Zunilda Rodriguez, AICP on the Nishuane Group team wil oversee the overall project team, provide project management support to the client, oversee stakeholder engagement activities and participate in the drafting and finalization development of the Strategic Action Plan as part of the project. She graduated from the Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University with a Masters in City & Regional Planning. She is also an American Institute Certified Planner (AICP) (Certification#:0210530. On our project team is also Craig Sawyer who is Principal and Managing Partner at Equitable Development Consultants, LLP.. a community economic development consultancy firm, and is Principal and Chief Operating Officer at Urban Development Partners LLC, a boutique real estate development company. Mr. Sawyer will be responsible for the economic analysis work for the Strategic Action Plan. He will provide economic development expertise and contributions to the development of the draft and final Strategic Action Plan. The team qualifications section of this proposal

trategic Action Plan. He will provide economic development expertise and contributions to the development of the draft and final Strategic Action Plan. The team qualifications section of this proposal provides more detailed information including professional biographies for each team member for this proposed project. Mr. Sawyer holds an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) designation, Main Street Downtown Revitalization certification, and approved to sit for the professional certification designation as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council. He also has other professional certifications and licenses from national and state recognized institutions, including a New Jersey real estate agent license. Nishuane Group project team has a wealth of experience in economic development, community revitalization and redevelopment planning. We have licensed New Jersey Professional Planners on our team. The firm has sufficient staffing capacity to meet the requirements requested by the Township. Staff resumes can be found in the Team Qualifications section of this proposal. 19

BIO MICHELE S. DELISFORT, PP, AICP PRINCIPAL & MANAGING PARTNER Nishuane Group, LLC. 105 Grove Street, Suite 3 Phone: (973) 954-2677 ext. 2 E-mail: mdelisfort@nishuanegroup.com Ms. Michéle S. Delisfort, PP/AICP has extensive interwoven experience in Urban Planning, academia and policy and is a fully engaged practitioner, community leader and public servant. Ms. Delisfort earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Rutgers University in 1992 and a Master Degree in City and Regional Planning in 1995 from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. Her professional career began from 1994 to 1996 at the Port Authority of NY&NJ Easy Rider Program as a Transportation Coordinator. In this role she educated agencies, corporations and airlines on the Clean Air Act. From 1996 to 2002, Ms. Delisfort worked at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) managed the Newark- based Capacity Building Program and AmeriCorps Program. From 2002 to 2007, she served as the Manager of Comprehensive Planning at the City of East Orange. She managed the City’s land use planning and zoning boards, served as the Board Planner, prepared Area In Need Studies and Redevelopment Plans, oversaw and helped implement the development process and managed Division personnel. Ms. Delisfort developed and implemented planning and development review protocols for all existing and new development within the City. Her planning passion however soon led her to transition into academia and private practice. Ms. Delisfort was an Adjunct Professor at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy from 2007 to 2012. She helped to educate and mentor students including many rising women planners in the field. Since 2005, she has served as an official mentor in the American Planning Association. In addition, she volunteers at the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority-Training Institute where she teaches and moderates on topics related to redevelopment planning. In fact, as a redevelopment expert, Ms. Delisfort authored the APA-NJ redevelopment policy guide and often represents its redevelopment committee as a panelist at local, state and national Planning conferences. Ms. Delisfort is a licensed realtor in the State of New Jersey. She has utilized her business development expertise and urban planning revitalization knowledge and skills to

nal Planning conferences. Ms. Delisfort is a licensed realtor in the State of New Jersey. She has utilized her business development expertise and urban planning revitalization knowledge and skills to rehabilitate a handful of housing structures over the years. Ms. Delisfort has served as a Principal and Managing Partner of Nishuane Group, LLC, since 2007; a growing Urban Planning consultancy firm based in Montclair, New Jersey. Nishuane Group, LLC. specializes in land use planning, economic and community development, redevelopment planning and housing development. She is a licensed Professional Planner in New Jersey and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Her business development expertise has significantly increased the firm’s capacity, client base and annual revenues. Ms. Delisfort’s professional experience coupled with a broad network has helped to build bridges between urban planning and the community. Though Ms. Delisfort is an accomplished Urban Planner, her work and passion has extended to serving the community. Nishuane Group, LLC. 105 Grove Street, Suite 3 Montclair, NJ 07042 Phone: (973) 954-2677 (EXT 2) E-mail: mdelisfort@nishuanegroup.com

MICHELE S. DELISFORT, ».« PRINCIPAL & MANAGING PARTNER Nishuane Group, LLC. 105 Grove Street, Suite 3 Phone: (973) 954-2677 Ext. 2 E-mail: mdelisfort@nishuanegroup.com Ms. Delisfort’s community service commitments and volunteerism include the following: Union Township, Mayor * Union Township Economic Development Advisory Committee, Chair + Union Township American Disabilities Act Committee, Chair + Union Township Planning Board, Member & former Vice Chairperson + APA-NJ Redevelopment Planning Chair, NJ-APA Executive Committee + APA National Ethics Committee, Member + National Haitian American Elected Officials, Member * Union County Black Leadership Caucus, Member *St. Joseph Church, Finance Committee Over the past decade, Ms. Delisfort’s public service has been recognized by many organizations. Most recently, she has been the recipient of the following awards and honors: * Budd Chavooshian Outstanding Planner Award (2019) - American Planning Association * Community Service Award (2019) - NJ Association Medicale Haitienne a Uentranger Leadership Award (2019)- Women Leaders In Action *Best Speaker (2019) - Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Accomplishments in Urban Planning (2018) - CJA Delta Sigma Theta Sorority * Community Service Award (2018) - Golden Rule Lodge No. 24 ‘Outstanding Leadership and Service (2018) - Islamic Center of Union County Ms. Delisfort’s passion and commitment to revitalizing communities led her to volunteering her skillsets in her hometown. She began her journey by serving on the Union Township Planning Board for eight years. In 2016, she was elected to the Township Committee, where she served a three-year term. Elected as Mayor of Union Township in January 2019, she presides over the meetings of the Township Committee, recommends, reviews and adopt Township policy, legislation and its fiscal budget and executes ceremonial duties. On a daily basis, Ms. Delisfort works collaboratively with the township Administrators, citizens, business owners, elected and appointed officials, and various local, county and state agencies to gain support on legislative, fiscal and development priorities for the Township. As a Planner and an Elected Official, Ms. Delisfort is fully engaged and committed to the communities that she serves. Nishuane Group, LLC. 105 Gi Street, Suite 3 Montclair, NJ 07042 P Phone: (973) 954-2677 (EXT

and an Elected Official, Ms. Delisfort is fully engaged and committed to the communities that she serves. Nishuane Group, LLC. 105 Gi Street, Suite 3 Montclair, NJ 07042 P Phone: (973) 954-2677 (EXT 2) " E-mail: mdelisfort@nishuanegroup.com NISHUANE GROUP LEC

STEVEN M.MARTINI ee. ASSOCIATE Over 10 years of professional experience in economic development, land use, redevelopment, research and fiscal school and impactanalysis. EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Master of Science, City and Associate Reionel Planning, Coram NISHUANE GROUP, LLC. i i MONTCLAIR, NJ in Environmental & Physical Planning, Real Estate & Housing, Senior Planner Rutgers University, C/02013 PHILLIPS PREISS GRYGIEL LEHENY HUGHES, LLC. HOBOKEN, NJ Bachelor of Arts, Planning & i PublicPolicy, Minor in Economics, VHB ENGINEERING, SURVEYING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, PC Rutgers University, C/02011 WHITE PLAINS, WJ SKILLS Planning Intern a NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING Drafting Data Analysis BRONK.NY AutoCAD ArcGIS/QGIS Intern wey - NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IMPLAN PATERSON,NJ ieee MMAR | CENSURES, CERTIFICATIONS, & ACCREDITATIONS OF Word InDesign ny American Instituteof Certified Planners (AICP) Illustrator Bi werpoint New Jersey Licensed Professional Planner (PP) Lightroom Certificatein Urban Planning, Edward J.Bloustein School of Planning & Public Poticy,May 2011 AFFILIATIONS American Planning Association New Jersey Chapterof American Planning Association US Green Building Council Urban Land Institute, Northern New Jersey Chapter VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Participant NJAPA COMMUNITY PLANNING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (2015 AND 2019)

STEVEN M.MARTINI ee. ASSOCIATE Nishuane Group, LLC. 105 Grove Street, Suite 3 Montclair, NJ 07042 Phone: (862) 283-1508 Ext. 6 E-mail: smartini@nishuanegroup.com Mr. Steven Martini, PP/AICP has more than 8 years of public and private sector experience, specializing in redevelopment planning, economic development and land use. He is a fully engaged practitioner who utilizes his strategic and analytical skills. Mr. Martini is passionate about the connection between urban planning, economic development and New Jersey communities. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Planning and Public Policy and also a Master Degree in City and Regional Planning both from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. He is a licensed Professional Planner in the State of New Jersey and is a certified member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Mr. Martini passion for neighborhood-level revitalization of communities led him to join Nishuane Group, LLC as an Associate in 2019. Nishuane Group is a growing urban planning consultancy firm based in Montclair, New Jersey. Nishuane Group includes a diverse staff and specializes in land use planning, economic and community development, and neighborhood planning. During his time with Nishuane Group, Mr. Martini has gained extensive planning experience as he has prepared numerous Area in Need of Redevelopment Investigations, Redevelopment Plans and Amendments for the Cities of Plainfield and East Orange, where he is serving as the Redevelopment Planner. He was an integral part of preparation of the the 2020 City of Plainfield Master Plan as he authored the Economic Plan and Community Facilities Elements. His duties also consist of assisting in development application reviews, serving as Board Planner at public meetings and preparing planning testimony outlines for privatesector clients. Prior to his employed at Nishuane Group, he held a variety of positions in the Planning field. Mr. Martini began his career as a Planning Intern for the New York City Department of City Planning in the Bronx Borough Office. Following graduate school, he became employed in the the private sector. He was first a Planner at VHB, a planning and engineering firm, in their White Plains, NY office and then transitioned as a Senior Planner at Phillips Preiss Grygiel Leheny Hughes, LLC in Hoboken, NJ.

He was first a Planner at VHB, a planning and engineering firm, in their White Plains, NY office and then transitioned as a Senior Planner at Phillips Preiss Grygiel Leheny Hughes, LLC in Hoboken, NJ. He augmented his analytical, research and economic development skills and experience during this time Mr. Martini experience includes providing support for the development of comprehensive plans, redevelopment studies/plans, conducting research, analyzing and quantifying demographic, housing and economic U.S. Census data as well. Mr. Martini adds a strong economic, research and analytical dimension at Nishuane Group in order to meet growing project needs of clients. Nishuane Group, LLC 105 Grove Street, Suite 3 Montclair, NJ 07042 Phone: (973) 954-2677 ext.6 Email

CRAIG L. SAWYER Craig L. Sawyer serves as Principal and Managing Partner at Equitable Development Consultants, LLP., a community economic development consultancy firm, established in 2002, and Principal and Managing Partner at Poiema Development Group, a mission-focused, boutique real estate development company. Within his network of companies and partnerships, Craig focuses on creating value in community initiated, residential and commercial redevelopment projects where he advises, assists, and serves to transform concepts, goals, and plans into financially viable strategies and projects, and his knowledge of real estate development and public financing sources are realized. His primary focus within the development process is managing and overseeing the planning and due diligence process and negotiating and structuring the deal and finance structure. With more than 25 years of real estate and economic development experience through his various employment, professional consulting, and development roles, his efforts have helped to secure well over $250 million in capital for multiple residential, mixed- use, commercial, and industrial development projects and related initiatives which contributed to the recruitment, retention or creation of new business and employment opportunities. In addition, Craig was instrumental in creating and establishing the State of New Jersey’s regional training institute on real estate and redevelopment – the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority’s Redevelopment Training Institute (RTI), and since program inception in 2006, the institute has trained over 2,000 elected officials, governmental staff, for-profit and non-profit developers, attorneys and other development professionals on real estate and redevelopment related matters. For more than 17 years, he served as the RTI Lead Trainer responsible for the identification and development of training curriculum agendas and customized municipal training sessions on redevelopment, zoning, public incentives, real estate development, financing tools, and other relevant matters. Craig currently mentors and trains aspiring young real estate developers in real estate development under the auspices of Equitable Sustainable Redevelopment (ESR) Training Academy. In