ENVIRONMENTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
Tracy Straka : Trailblazer in NJ Environmental Industry
By Diane Walsh Editor , COMMERCE
On her way to becoming a doctor , Tracy Straka got sidetracked by her passion for music . But when the rock band fizzled out , she leaned on her science background – finding fulfillment and great success in New Jersey ’ s burgeoning environmental industry .
Since the 80s when she was hired to help build an environmental laboratory at a Paterson startup , Straka has been a trailblazer in a male-dominated profession . In every position she has held , she rolled up her sleeves and proved her worth .
Most of her career has been with Creamer Environmental , Inc . As executive vice president of one New Jersey ’ s pre-eminent environmental remediation companies , Straka is a leading voice in the industry .
One of her earliest and most significant accomplishments also was establishing the Environmental Business Council within the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey ( CIANJ ). The EBC concentrates on environment issues through a business lens . Its parent , CIANJ , is a statewide business advocacy organization representing every industry sector . In 2013 Straka rose to become the first woman chair of CIANJ .
“ She ’ s fearless ,” said Agnes Antonian , chair of the environmental business practice at Connell Foley , who has been Straka ’ s colleague and friend for more than 25 years . Antonian laughed as she recalled a zany moment they had together . On a job site in Brooklyn years ago , Straka dared her to climb a 50-foot old “ gasholder .” Back in the day , the massive storage tanks were used to hold coal gas .
There was no reason to scale the tank , but once they were at the top Straka explained every aspect of it and its history . “ That ’ s Tracy ,” the attorney said , adding , “ She ’ s technically incredibly astute and driven .”
“ I had to work hard to prove myself ,” Straka said . She was keenly aware of the skepticism and doubt among those who were unaccustomed to a woman in a hardhat . To overcome the trepidation , she relied on strong communication skills . “ I needed to get them to be comfortable with the fact that hey I ’ m just a person and I was going to do their work . I was going to get it right and solve their issues .”
After graduating from George Washington University with a degree in biology , she was initially hired by pharmaceutical giant , Hoffman LaRoche , doing research on their Nutley campus . The job was short-lived , however , since she and 1,100 other co-workers soon were laid off . Realizing there was a very competitive job market in research , Straka answered an ad to work with a Ph . D chemist building an environmental laboratory in Paterson .
Her duties became more complex when she was asked to resolve compliance issues the company ’ s financial backers faced with their real estate holdings . State environment laws and land use regulations were intensifying at the time . “ They said to me ‘ go figure it out ’ – so I did ,” Straka recalled . Looking back , she said the assignment became her first environmental consulting job . The experience also sprouted a new company , Environmental Waste Management Associates , where she worked for eight years .
Through what Straka described as “ word-ofmouth relationships ,” her client base grew and with it her knowledge and understanding of the industry and its demands . When the opportunity arose to join Creamer , “ I came over here and I really haven ’ t looked back in 30 years .”
J . Fletcher Creamer Jr ., the owner and director of the business , said Straka and Tom Cawley were the first two employees . “ We built it from zero ,” said Creamer , explaining Cawley was tapped for his construction experience and Straka bought a background in regulatory affairs and compliance . “ She is very well respected in the industry and very knowledgeable ,” Creamer said , adding “ and she ’ s as loyal as can be .”
At the onset when Creamer Environmental was building its brand the company was cleaning up fuel oil spills on the highway and even removing background oil tanks . Over the years it grew to be one of the state ’ s most sought-after remediation firms with major projects throughout the region and a client list that includes PSE & G , Veola , and other major utility companies . “ I ’ m very proud of what she has accomplished ,” Creamer said .
As Straka ’ s career developed , she felt the growing industry was being hampered by a lack of collaboration in the state . “ In the early days , everybody was competed with each other for market share . They didn ’ t cooperate . They didn ’ t talk to each other about what was important for the industry ,” she said .
Neighboring states had professional associations and at their prodding she decided to form the Environmental Business Council . It is dedicated to providing education and awareness to all the stakeholders in the industry , while also serving as a business networking forum . The first meetings were in Straka ’ s living room . But it soon outgrew the space , moving on to facilities offer by Bergen Community College in Paramus and later at PSE & G offices in Edison . The monthly sessions easily draw more than 100 consultants , attorneys , engineers , technicians ,
Tracy Straka committed 30 years of her career to Creamer Environmental , Inc .
and scientists anxious to trade information , ideas and even job opportunities .
CIANJ President Anthony Russo said the EBC is recognized as a key voice in the industry , often invited by the state Department of Environmental Protection , legislators and the governor ’ s office to give input and participate in stakeholder groups .
Valerie Montecalvo , the owner of Bayshore Recycling , is among Straka ’ s long-time friends and colleagues . “ She is a fine example of someone who excels in the environmental landscape providing a personal and efficient touch to manage her client ’ s needs .
“ Tracy and I share very similar interests in protecting our natural resources . This isn ’ t always easy in the construction industry . Tracy is deeply dedicated to her work ,” Montecalvo said . “ Her passion for the environment and intelligence in connecting the dots were instrumental in introducing our team to the CIANJ way back in 2003 . We quickly became invested in their mission for promoting business and industry throughout New Jersey ,” added Montecalvo , who served on the CIANJ board for many years .
Montecalvo credited Straka for mentoring her vice president , Jennifer Solewski . Solewski , who now serves on the CIANJ board , said “ Tracy is one of the most sincere and collaborative individuals I ’ ve had the pleasure to work with . She has an amazing ability to bring people together to exchange information , ideas and provide insight toward achieving common goals across the industry .”
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Photo : Russ DeSantis Photography and Video
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