As the Chief Procurement and Contracting Officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Lillian Valenti and her team played a critical role in redeveloping the Central Terminal Building at LaGuardia Airport (now Terminal B) and Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport. The projects allowed Lillian and her team to work on all procurement phases, from conceptual planning to the RFP process. Lillian used the opportunity to establish targeted minority and women business enterprise (M/WBE) goals for separate work categories (construction, professional services, architectural & engineering services, & operations & maintenance) as requirements for RFP submissions. This change provided unprecedented M/WBE participation in the building of each terminal and is now included in other large complex procurements along with enhanced training for the M/WBE community.
Technology integration, data-driven decisions and assignment of diverse cross functional teams are a priority. Her team prioritizes making a social impact through the support of local economic development initiatives and environmental stewardship. She is passionate about making positive changes through collaborative relationships with public and private sector partners. Lillian encourages team member growth through guided developmental plans, training programs and participation in professional associations. She leads procurement on the principles of competition, integrity, and transparency.