Leadership

Founded by two partners, Alberto Villaman and Ralph Suazo, who originated their careers in public agencies, ALRA has a unique understanding of the trust required between an agency and consultant in managing and executing some of the most complex projects in the metropolitan area. Additionally, and by association, our senior managers have extensive hands-on experience in coordination with NYS and NYC governmental agencies, Public Works agencies, property owners, professional engineering firms, and contractors.

Alberto Villaman, PE

President

Mr. Villaman is a skilled and versatile professional with over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. As President of ALRA Engineers, he directs the daily operations of the company, with a commitment to deliver above client expectations by employing highly skilled professionals and the latest technology and techniques.

Mr. Villaman offers vast industry knowledge and expertise, having been instrumental in some of the NY metropolitan area’s largest infrastructure improvements throughout his career. He has overseen multiple high-profile, award-winning projects for major agencies and authorities such as New York City Department of Design and Construction, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, New York State Department of Transportation, New York City Department of Transportation, and MTA Bridges & Tunnels. He is a professional engineer in seven states and the District of Columbia.

During his tenure, notable and award-winning projects under Mr. Villaman’s purview have included the following:

New York State Department of Transportation, Gowanus Expressway Emergency Repair project, recipient of the 2016 ACEC NY Diamond Award
New York City Department of Transportation, Design-Build Rehabilitation of the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island, recipient of the 2014 ACEC NY Gold Award; the 2013 ASCE-Met Design-Build Project of the Year Award; and the 2012 Municipal Engineers of New York Project of the Year Award
New York State Department of Transportation, Emergency Repairs along 7.2 Kilometers of the Gowanus Expressway Viaduct, I-278, recipient of the 2009 Concrete Industry Board, Honorable Mention Award; the 2010 ACEC Engineering Excellence Award, Gold Award; and the 2010 ASCE Met Section Construction Achievement Award
MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Superstorm Sandy Restoration of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel
New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Gilboa Dam Reconstruction
New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Activation of the Third Water Tunnel
New York City Department of Design and Construction, South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Infrastructure Rehabilitation
Connecticut Department of Transportation, I-95 Interchange 14 and 15/Route 1 Improvements, recipient of the 2016 ACEC CT Platinum Award

Ralph Suazo, PE

Executive Vice President

Mr. Suazo has a strong background of nearly 30 years of experience in administering, managing and supervising construction inspection and management projects. As Executive Vice President for ALRA Engineers, he manages the business operations and strategic growth of the firm with a client-focused mindset to provide project success.

Mr. Suazo has been responsible for over $2 billion in construction projects. In addition to his private sector experience, he served as a New York Division Highway Engineer and Construction Supervisor for the New York State Thruway Authority, where he began his career. There, he was responsible for the maintenance of more than 100 miles of superhighway; oversight of six highway sections; and management of several complex capital improvement projects.

As recipient of the 2024 ASCE Lower Hudson Valley Branch Engineer in Construction Award for Engineer in Construction, he is proud to continue his passion for the industry and strives to pay it forward by mentoring the next generation of engineers. Mr. Suazo holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the City College Grove School of Engineering, and a M.S. in Engineering Management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He is a Professional Engineer in New York.

His portfolio of high-profile and award-winning projects includes:

MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Superstorm Sandy Restoration, Mitigation and Rehabilitation of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel and the Brooklyn Plaza
New York City Department of Design and Construction, Pacific Park Project Phase II
Connecticut Department of Transportation, I-95 Norwalk Interchange 14 and 15 and Route 1 Improvements, recipient of the 2016 ACEC New York Platinum Award
New Jersey Turnpike Authority Interchange 105 at Hope Road/NJ Route 36 and Interchange 105/Wayside Road Connection, recipient of the ACEC New Jersey 2018 Distinguished Award
New York City Department of Transportation, Claremont Parkway Bridge over Metro-North Railroad Recipient of the 2015 ACEC New York Gold Award
New York State Thruway Authority, Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement of West Causeway Deck Panels Phases 1-2
New York State Department of Transportation, I-287 Cross-Westchester Expressway Interchange 8, recipient of the 2014 ACEC New York Platinum Award

Robert Gizzi

Senior Vice President

Mr. Gizzi is a well-versed professional with over 40 years of experience in project management, contract administration, and all phases of infrastructure design, construction inspection and biennial bridge inspection, which he brings to ALRA Engineers. As Senior Vice President, he is responsible for the management of ALRA’s Long Island office, utilizing his expertise in providing critical hands-on technical support and oversight of multiple design and construction projects, along with performing business development and supporting staff and other projects for the firm throughout New York State.

Throughout his career, Mr. Gizzi has focused on the design and construction of bridges, including many high-profile projects in the New York City/Long Island area. He has directed and overseen numerous bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects, biennial bridge inspection projects, as well as roadway and drainage improvements throughout the state.

He has been responsible for the management and successful completion of many infrastructure improvements for agencies such as the New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Bridge Authority, New York City Department of Transportation, New York City Department of Design and Construction, New York State Thruway Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Nassau County Department of Public Works, Suffolk County Department of Public Works, Westchester County Department of Public Works, as well as the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay.

Mr. Gizzi is the recipient of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Long Island Branch 2021 Engineer of the Year Award as well as the 2004 Frank Patti Award; In addition, he was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors for the recently created South Nassau Water Authority in 2022.

Some noteworthy and award-winning projects include:

New York State Thruway Authority, Construction Inspection Support Services in the NY Division for D214736/TANY 19-27B Replacement of Three Overhead Bridges
MTA Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, Design-Build Services for Reconstruction of the Harlem River Drive Ramp at the RFK Bridge
New York State Department of Transportation, Long Island Expressway (I-495) High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Design and Capacity Improvement Projects
New York City Department of Transportation, Extell Development, Riverside Drive South from West 7th Street to West 72nd Street

Frank Fragapane, Jr.

Assistant Vice President

Mr. Fragapane has over 30 years of experience in construction management and inspection for various infrastructure projects throughout the New York metropolitan area. This expertise allows him to oversee large infrastructure improvements such as bridge repairs, bridge replacements, and pavement rehabilitation projects.

Mr. Fragapane currently manages construction projects while serving in the roles of Chief Inspector and Resident Engineer. His extensive bridge and roadway construction experience includes various pavement improvements, ramp installation, and inspection of bridges and tunnels throughout the NY metropolitan area. He is very familiar with maintaining and enforcing extensive Work Zone Traffic Control measures.

His portfolio includes notable and award-winning projects such as:

New York State Department of Transportation, Construction Management & Quality Assurance Services for Design-Build D900051, Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvements Project
Connecticut Department of Transportation, Metro-North Railroad Bridge over Atlantic Street, Phase 2
New York State Department of Transportation, Shore Parkway Interchange/Gowanus Expressway, recipient of the 2016 ACEC New York Diamond Award
New York State Department of Transportation, Gowanus Expressway Emergency Repair and Interim Deck Replacement, recipient of the 2011 American Society of Highway Engineers Unique Project of the Year Award; the 2011 CMAA Metro NY/NJ Project of the Year Award; the 2010 ASCE Met Section Project of the Year Award; the 2010 ACEC New York Gold Award; and the 2009 CIB Award of Merit
Ulster County Transit Facility Upgrades, recipient of the 2006 ACEC New York Gold Award
MTA Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, As-Needed Inspection Services in New York City
New York State Thruway Authority, Stewart International Airport C Street Reconstruction
New York State Department of Transportation, Staten Island Expressway Reconstruction

Louis A. Torelli

Branch Manager

Mr. Torelli has over 40 years of varied engineering experience. He brings a wealth of knowledge in the areas of study, design, and construction administration/inspection for infrastructure projects to ALRA Engineers, where he is responsible for the operations of ALRA’s Wallingford, Connecticut office.

Mr. Torelli has a deep history of managing state and federally funded infrastructure improvement projects throughout Connecticut for various Towns, Cities, and Public Works Departments including Middletown, East Hartford, Guilford, Milford and Derby, CT. He has provided coordination and administrative management for several major CTDOT projects in Norwalk, Fairfield, Bridgeport and Stamford. He has participated in diverse transportation projects related to highways, bridges, airports, primary and secondary roadways. He has provided management of diverse wastewater projects involving Sewer Separation and SSES studies in several Connecticut municipalities including major projects in Middletown and New Haven.

His career highlights include serving as Project Manager and Project Coordinator, providing management, coordination, and administrative supervision and control on a variety of public and private improvement programs in the Northeastern United States. Mr. Torelli was also Area Programs Manager for an international multidiscipline consulting firm. He has a proven record of responsible management, development of organizational structure, identification/assignment of functional responsibilities, and coordination of in-house resources and associated professional engineering firms, from the conceptual stage through construction.

Mr. Torelli’s portfolio includes many noteworthy projects such as:

Town of East Hartford Engineering Department, Brewer Street Roadway Reconstruction
City of Milford Department of Public Works, Fort Trumbull Beach Revetment Restoration
Town of Guilford Engineering Department, Saw Mill Road Bridge and Roadway Reconstruction
City of New Haven Engineering Department, Full Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Program
Connecticut Department of Transportation, District 1, Reconstruction of I-84
City of Derby Office of Economic and Community Development, Naugatuck River Greenway