Speakers

For nearly a decade, her work at the executive level has focused on the development of science-based and protective environmental policy informed by the communities the DEP serves. She coordinates strategic planning on cross-media issues, works to expand public access to environmental information, shepherds the Department’s science portfolio and cultivates important partnerships. 

Kati most recently served as DEP’s Deputy Commissioner.  In that role she was the principal adviser to the DEP Commissioner and second-in-command, with oversight of nearly 3,400 environmental professionals and an annual operational and grant-making budget of approximately $1 billion. 

In addition, Kati previously held the position of Assistant Commissioner for Watershed and Land Management (WLM), overseeing the Division of Watershed Protection & Restoration, the Division of Land Resource Protection and the Division of Resilience, Engineering & Construction. As WLM’s leader, she focused on advancing watershed initiatives, including integration of New Jersey-specific climate change science into watershed policy. That post followed a term as Associate Commissioner for Science & Policy, where she managed science, environmental health and economic analysis programs, while developing policy protective of New Jersey’s environment and public health. 

Earlier, Kati spent several years focused on water policy, including the adoption of new drinking water standards, which involved first-in-the-nation PFAS standards and water supply emergency response. More than half of her DEP career was spent assisting with the development of New Jersey’s state land use policies, including stormwater management, habitat protection, flood hazard area controls and protection of the Highlands region. 

A passionate advocate of the environment, Kati is dedicated to DEP’s mission to protect the environment and public health in service to the people of New Jersey. 

Prior to joining the BPU, Bob was Vice President and General Counsel for American Water’s Eastern Division, consisting of New Jersey American Water, New York American Water, Virginia American Water and Maryland American Water. He also served as Vice President and Secretary for each of the Eastern Division state operating companies, and at various times served as the lead for Business Development, Government Affairs and Regulatory Affairs. Bob’s primary responsibilities included enterprise risk management, acquisitions and business development, environmental and insured litigation, rate and regulatory matters, government affairs, and corporate governance.

Prior to joining American Water, Bob worked at the New Jersey Public Advocate, Division of Rate Counsel (formerly the Division of the Ratepayer Advocate) as Deputy Director and Managing Attorney. In his time there, Bob provided legal, policy, political and media advice to the Division during the restructuring of the power industry and the implementation of the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA) and served as lead counsel on many significant water industry matters, including national and international mergers and acquisitions.

Bob received his law degree from Pace University School of Law, with a Certificate in International Law and a concentration in Environmental Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace Studies from Colgate University. He is currently licensed to practice law in New Jersey.

Bob previously served on the Board of Directors of the NJ State Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Committee of the Board of the NJ Utilities Association, and is a member of the Board of Consultors for the Public Utilities Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association. He is also a member of the American and New Jersey Bar Associations.

Mr. Testa was OEM’s lead in the development of the 2014 and 2019 NJ State Hazard Mitigation Plans. He has a BS in Environmental Studies from Stockton University, and a MS in Environmental Policy Studies from NJIT. Prior to his work with the NJSP, he was employed by specialty contractor Henkels and McCoy as an Environmental Manager on a PSEG Electrical Transmission projects. Following DR-4021, the remnants of Hurricane Irene, Chris worked as a Community Hazard Mitigation Planner for FEMA. Prior to that, he was Special Projects Coordinator for the Hunterdon County Soil Conservation District.

At home Chris is a Husband, Father of 2, and women’s lacrosse coach.

Smith’s legislative highlights include the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act protecting the region that provides drinking water for 5 million New Jersey citizens; Stormwater Utilities, Beach Access, Hydrofluorocarbons, and the strongest fertilizer law in the nation. Smith authored the Recycling Enhancement Act and worked to pass laws to ensure the recycling of both electronic waste and food waste. He led the fight banning single-use plastic bags in the Garden State. Smith’s Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA) law has been successful in cleaning up over 14,000 contaminated sites and his update to that law further improves the program. Senator Smith has worked to pass legislation stimulating solar and alternative energy in New Jersey including landmark electric vehicle and charging infrastructure laws putting our state on the path to one hundred percent clean energy by 2035.

Senator Smith has worked diligently for his district as well as the entire state by sponsoring the Emergency Disaster Relief Act and Local Flood Aid Act to aid economic recovery. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Smith wrote the Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program which expands the scope of what can be financed through the Environmental Infrastructure Trust.  Smith sponsored successful state-wide ballot initiatives on Natural Resource Damages, Diesel Particulates, Parks and Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation ensuring a cleaner greener Garden State for future generations creating a stable source of funding from Corporate Business Tax monies in perpetuity.

Smith knows that Military Veterans sacrifice the comfort of their homes in exchange for the realities of war which is why he fought to pass his legislation providing affordable housing opportunities to our veterans and worked to pass legislation for our New Jersey National Guard students. He has fought for the enactment of laws affording greater protection of child victims of abuse and to protect judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement.

Senator Smith has a long record of public service dating back to his days as a graduate student at Rutgers University where he was an environmental and civil rights activist. Locally, Smith was elected in 1977 as a member of the Piscataway Township Council, serving as Council President and Vice President. In 1981 he was elected Mayor of Piscataway Township serving until 1986 when he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly. From 1991-1992 he served as the Chairman of the Middlesex County Democratic Organization. He also served as Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic Task Force on the Environment in 1987 and was counsel to the New Jersey State Democratic Platform in both 1987 and 1989. From 1995-1996 he served as Deputy Minority Leader in the General Assembly.

Senator Bob Smith is a uniquely qualified legislator. Prior to becoming an attorney in private practice, Senator Smith was a Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science at Middlesex College. He holds Master’s degrees in Chemistry from the University of Scranton and Environmental Science from Rutgers University, as well as a J.D. in law from Seton Hall University.

Senator Bob Smith and the love of his life Ellen were married in 1968. They have two adult daughters and are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren. They live and work in Piscataway Township.