New GM for Falls bridge commission
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission will have a new general manager, effective May 1.
The commission’s board has selected Kenneth Bieger to succeed Lew Holloway.
Bieger currently serves as chief financial officer for the commission, and brings more than 35 years of professional management experience to the position.
“While we were fortunate to have many excellent candidates apply for the position, what really set Ken apart was his strong vision for the future and appreciation for our organization’s mission, coupled with extensive experience acquired through several previous executive management roles,” said chairman Russ Quarantello.
As CFO, Bieger has had direct hands-on expertise in the areas of strategic and budgetary planning, contract negotiations and funding oversight for capital projects. Prior to joining the commission, he held several executive level leadership positions in the Buffalo-Niagara region, including the most recent role of chief financial officer, treasurer and member of the board of directors for Karrena International in Williamsville, N.Y.
“The mission of the commission is to facilitate the movement of goods and people at our three border crossings, while investing in programs, technology and infrastructure improvements that will allow us to effectively maintain the three bridge facilities well into the future,” said vice-chairman John Lopinski.
“We know that Mr. Bieger shares this same focus and he will operate in the best interests of the NFBC, our employees, and the travelling public.”
Holloway has been the commission’s GM for the past eight years. During his tenure, he helped oversee more than $250 million in construction and capital improvement projects, including full reconstruction of the Queenston plaza; completion of the new Rainbow Bridge bus processing centre; various capacity expansion upgrades and technology enhancements at the Whirlpool Bridge; an improvement project at the Lewiston U.S. customs plaza; and installation of the E-ZPass program at all three crossings.
Holloway will retain a recent appointment as member of the board of directors for the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, which maintains the Peace Bridge.
Canada and the U.S. are equally represented on the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission by an eightmember board of commissioners. The commission is responsible for maintaining the Rainbow, Whirlpool Rapids and QueenstonLewiston bridges.