Cynthia Norfleet, CEO, Van Cleef Engineering Associates LLC

In an interview with Invest:, Cynthia Norfleet, CEO of Van Cleef Engineering Associates, discussed the evolving challenges and opportunities in New Jersey’s infrastructure and development sectors. She highlighted the firm’s growth since its founding in 1972, now spanning nine offices with over 240 employees, while addressing industry-wide struggles in talent retention and rising costs. “The greatest challenge for Van Cleef Engineering, like others in our industry, has been attracting and retaining employees to handle our significant workload and growing business,” Norfleet noted.

What changes or milestones have most impacted Van Cleef Engineering Associates over the past year, and in what ways?

The greatest challenge for Van Cleef Engineering, like others in our industry, has been attracting and retaining employees to handle our significant workload and growing business. Founded in 1972 in Central New Jersey, we’ve grown to over 240 employees across nine offices, offering services in land development, transportation, municipal engineering, GIS, schools, construction inspection, and wastewater. I’m proud to lead the firm my father started, upholding our family values and prioritizing work-life balance. Many employees stay for decades, but as they retire, replacing them is challenging. Young engineers face abundant opportunities, and fewer are entering civil and structural engineering, partly due to its long licensure process. Surveyor roles also face heightened requirements, making technical talent scarce. This tight supply drives rising salaries. To address this, we’re creating rewarding career paths and relying on internships to develop long-term employees. The cyclic job market may see adjustments as tech industries reduce workforces, potentially redirecting talent to our field.

Have you noticed any of these headwinds impacting, if not your company directly, then your clients, particularly in their decision-making?

Yes, we have seen that for our clients. For private developers — our clients who create housing developments and commercial properties — the cost of materials and the cost of interest rates with loans has been, in some cases, a detriment to moving projects forward. For our municipalities, grant programs are being reduced or eliminated, and that has taken away a source of funding for them. We represent many municipalities in New Jersey, and so we hear from some that the funding they were counting on has gone away. There are headwinds, but overall, I’d say our business is still healthy. There are still a lot of opportunities out there.

What is the state of planning for urban infrastructure?

We’re seeing a surge in funding from the $1.3 trillion Federal Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act, with billions of investment dollars flowing into New Jersey over the coming years. After some delays, projects are now moving forward, and our goal is to provide expertise to implement them effectively, ensuring residents benefit from this investment. Infrastructure remains a key economic driver for our firm and for New Jersey.

What is the state of sustainable development, and how is the firm approaching this area?

New stormwater regulations from the NJDEP’s MS4 permit renewal, effective Jan. 1, 2023, aim to improve water quality and reduce flooding. We’ve been advising municipal clients on compliance, including prevention plans, ordinances, and mapping stormwater facilities using our GIS division, which can help municipalities map all their stormwater assets, such as storm drains and outfalls, and manage them better to meet the increased standards. For private developers, we design projects with detention basins and permeable pavements to meet these standards. These initiatives address critical issues like flooding and water quality, making them our most significant sustainability focus.

How does the firm approach aging infrastructure when it comes to civil engineering projects?

Our work varies by client. For municipalities, where we’ve served for decades, we guide growth with asset management plans to address aging infrastructure. We secure grants to fund upgrades, easing financial burdens. For large agencies like the Turnpike Authority and counties, we inspect bridges under the National Bridge Inspection Safety Program on a two-year cycle, ensuring safety and upgrades. We also support utility authorities in improving water and wastewater systems.

Our inspectors work overnight on major roadways, inspecting bridges, culverts, and overpasses when traffic is lighter. This ensures their safety and minimizes driver disruptions.

What kinds of projects represent the biggest opportunity for firms like Van Cleef?

Transportation infrastructure, like bridges and roads, garners public support due to high visibility and necessity. However, water and wastewater systems, though less visible, are critical. Aging underground infrastructure, designed to outdated standards, causes issues such as water main breaks, posing community risks. Funding from sources like the I-Bank remains strong and essential to upgrade these vital systems.

What are your top goals for the next two to three years? 

Our company has been fortunate to have grown over the years in both staffing and revenues.  We have been named a  Best Place to Work in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for multiple years.  And so our primary goal is to stay the course and sustain our revenue growth and employee satisfaction.

A second goal focuses on assisting with the need to invest in and improve our infrastructure in the state, as our critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, as well as water and sewer facilities, was designed under different conditions and much of it was built more than 50 years ago.  We are dedicating staff and resources to assisting the agencies in meeting this demand to complete utility and transportation projects from the larger agencies.  

And finally, as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), we utilize supplier diversity programs and set-asides from transportation agencies and utilities to foster new relationships. My goal is to attract women to our firm, enabling them to meet their potential. 

What is next in the pipeline for Van Cleef Engineering Associates?

We’re focusing on transportation, dedicating resources to support agencies and utilities with design, construction, and inspection for roadways throughout New Jersey. We also support many utility companies as they improve our aging water resource infrastructure. Affordable housing remains a priority, with a shift from warehouses to housing as suitable warehouse sites dwindle. In municipal engineering, we see growth opportunities as some firms retreat from this challenging field. Navigating community needs and attending night meetings are demanding, but our long-standing experience in municipal engineering allows us to navigate this challenge.