# UTCA Hosts Annual Convention in Atlantic City, N.J.

- **Published:** 2026-10-15
- **Edition:** Northeast
- **Source:** Construction Equipment Guide
- **Authors:** CEG
- **URL:** https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/utca-hosts-annual-convention-in-atlantic-city-nj/72515
- **Tags:** Events, New Jersey, Utility and Transportation Contractors Association of New Jersey

## Summary
The Utility & Transportation Contractors Association of New Jersey (UTCA) held its 61st annual convention Oct. 1-3, 2026, at the Borgata in Atlantic City, N.J.

## Article

The Utility & Transportation Contractors Association of New Jersey (UTCA) held its 61st annual convention Oct. 1-3, 2026, at the Borgata in Atlantic City, N.J.

During the convention's trade show exhibit on Oct. 2, contractor members and guests checked out more than 100 exhibitors touting their latest equipment offerings and services.

This year's keynote luncheon speaker was Rocky Bleier, who was a former Pittsburgh Steelers running back whose remarkable career combined perseverance, military service and championship success.

Born in Appleton, Wis., Bleier played college football at Notre Dame before Pittsburgh selected him in the 16th round of the 1968 NFL Draft. After his rookie season, he joined the Army and served in Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Despite his injuries, Bleier rehabilitated and returned to football in 1971. He played 12 seasons with the Steelers, helping win four Super Bowls and rushing for 3,855 yards. He entered Pittsburgh's Hall of Honor in 2018.

Also, during the keynote luncheon on Oct. 2, UTCA inducted Kim Foley, who recently retired as chairman of Foley Inc. after 53 years in the business, into its Construction Industry Hall of Fame. Foley Inc. is the Caterpillar dealer serving New Jersey, Staten Island, eastern Pennsylvania and parts of Delaware and Bermuda.

Foley served in the United States Marine Corps as an officer from 1967 to 1971. While in Vietnam, he was a platoon commander and company commander with the First Motor Transport Battalion, First Marine Division. He has served as a board member of Semper Fi and America's Fund since 2007 and is currently treasurer.

Today, his son, Jamie Foley, serves as Foley Inc's CEO, representing the fourth generation of family leadership in the company. Jamie Foley accepted the award for his father, Kim, during the luncheon.

Also, during the convention, UTCA inducted Frank Criscola, president and COO of Crisdel Group Inc., as its president for 2026/2027. He previously served as the association's president from 2009 to 2010. Rick Berenato, retired of M.L. Ruberton Construction Co., was the Robert A. Briant Sr. Memorial Award recipient and Michael Lynch of Colonial Electric Supply-Teltek Division was the Larry Gardner Memorial Awardee.

## Photos

![Touting the fundraiser of The Cape Atlantic Detachment 194 of the Marine Corps League (L-R) were Jim Casas, senior vice commandant; Steve Swankoski, chief of staff; and Bryan Bridle, sergeant of arms.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-10_jpeg-05c84140a99f72ad1845a2cf2f57521a.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![Evan Hall of Ferguson Waterworks managed to snag $205 in the “Money Booth” on behalf of Lucille Renda of F.D. Renda Engineering and Construction.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-11_jpeg-785b9b74a5e6df26ab9a7fe5b4ee02ab.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![Art Trela (L) and Evan Hall (R) of Ferguson Waterworks pose with Lucille Renda of F.D. Renda Engineering and Construction after Hall collected $205 in the “Money Booth” on Renda’s behalf.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-12_jpeg-1f0b04cf4d40b5e9d641901ccbfa3dc7.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![The UTCA inducted Kim Foley, who recently retired as chairman of Foley Inc. after 53 years in the business, into its Construction Industry Hall of Fame. Jamie Foley, who serves as Foley Inc’s CEO, representing the fourth generation of family leadership in the company, accepted the award for his father, Kim, during the luncheon.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-13-2903c8bf390da5c7240c0c2839444a06.jpg)
*Photo credit: UTCA photo*

![The UTCA inducted Frank Criscola, president and COO of Crisdel Group Inc., as its president for 2026/2027.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-14-b16512b3ae17b457f36f07156322963f.jpg)
*Photo credit: UTCA photo*

![This year’s keynote luncheon speaker was Rocky Bleier, who was a former Pittsburgh Steelers running back whose remarkable career combined perseverance, military service and championship success.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-15-c121e9bb2c01142eeb67f3dee3118697.jpg)
*Photo credit: UTCA photo*

![(L-R): Foley CAT occupied a prominent spot on the trade show floor with a contingent featuring Brett Barratt, heavy account manager; Matt Emerson, general manager of Foley Rents; Eric Paterno, sales manager; Jamie Foley, CEO and president; Bill Grater, sales; Warren Gonzalez, sales; Jeff Merle, executive vice president, sales; and Bob Cavaliere, owner of P. Anthony Construction.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-1_jpeg-c56fac1cbf83502ff0b95a0a087a780b.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![JESCO brought a heavy contingent to UTCA that (L-R) included Rick Trapanese, general manager; Brian Hammond, territory manager; Phil Hartman, territory manager; Joe Matarese, sales representative; Gary Repke, general manager; Steve Rizzi, director of governmental sales; Jerome Ferri, strategic account manager; Gregg Swartz, signature territory manager; and Steve Galloppo, territory manager.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-2_jpeg-98a7613ae8af6e82629af19d8bb7525d.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![Hoffman Equipment’s team (L-R) included Van Pham, sales and marketing coordinator; Jeff Wroniuk, director of material processing; Anthony Nalewajko, service manager; Steve Izzi, crane specialist; Matt Jensen, territory manager; Rob Martini, territory manager; and Kathy Gould, director of product support.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-3_jpeg-4a5f2543d3432a02964d5ea42af6eb6f.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![Ritchie Bros. auctioneers were represented at UTCA by Nehal Selim (L), territory manager of Northern New Jersey, and Scott Smith, territory manager of south central New Jersey.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-4_jpeg-3da98b4fa76bbd1290db15a6f4bc554b.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![The team from Core Equipment Group on hand to discuss equipment needs with booth visitors (L-R) included Dom Riga, sales representative; Patrick Geiger, regional sales manager, New Jersey; Troy Tangolics, sales representative; Vic Riga, vice president; Brendan McIntyre, marketing coordinator; Chris King, territory sales manager; and Dan Wagner, regional sales representative.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-5_jpeg-1d552cda9057b9b12deea52953b25a3c.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![Komatsu’s spot in the middle of the exhibitor hall drew a steady crowd of visitors.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-6_jpeg-bc642cc007e08f845727abec97902e52.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![Alonzo Bess (L), ITIC coordinator and Thomas Flynn, public relations coordinator, touted the free services of New Jersey One Call for those with underground projects.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-7_jpeg-1e4e82a20f17dca099cfb27fc75e35a1.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![Visitors to the ECA booth were greeted by Mike Langan (L), account manager, and Zach Zamonski, product and support sales representative.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-8_jpeg-bdb47fc8e3935f8e0c9a73fc5d7914f8.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*

![Justine Cilona (L), rental manager, and Devin Mancini, sales manager, were all smiles to those visiting their Company Wrench booth.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72515-N-UTCA-26-9_jpeg-bca1722f598e0f3c1c2ae2787aee3914.jpg)
*Photo credit: CEG photo*