Thomas Edison State University alum and supporter Barbara Armand Kushner, B.A. ’93, knows that success takes more than boldness and determination – it demands a healthy dose of impatience.
Kushner is the founder and CEO of the Armand Corporation, a minority-owned construction management company based in New York, N.Y. The company oversees flagship projects ranging from multifamily housing, public schools, transportation and healthcare facilities, to full-scale community disaster recovery and resiliency projects across the United States.
Her impact is also felt by TESU students.
Kushner recently provided generous scholarship support to students whose trade apprenticeship training was converted to degree credits through the University’s Professional Learning Review (PLR) process. Davonte Boyer and Fredamalinda Hall are now, with Kushner’s help, able to advance further than they ever thought possible.
As a Thomas Edison alum, Kushner understands the value of a transformative, student-centric academic program.
“I was looking for an alternative to the on-campus degree program that I had already begun when I turned to Thomas Edison. I was struggling with escalating tuition costs and demands on my schedule when I finally made a phone call that changed my life forever,” noted Kushner, who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in natural science and mathematics from TESU in 1993. “That degree helped my career in innumerable ways.”
Shamsell Abdill brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry to her role as Vice President at Armand Corporation. She oversees the company’s building and infrastructure programs, serving as Project Executive, and is renowned for her expertise in contract administration, project management, problem resolution, and M/WBE compliance. Her career highlights include contributing to the rebuilding of the World Trade Center as part of the Procurement and Change Order Management Team, where she gained extensive experience in procurement and negotiation. Shamsell leverages her comprehensive industry knowledge to build strong professional relationships with agencies and utility companies, minimizing impacts on construction schedules. Her diverse project portfolio spans corporate, correctional, healthcare, educational, and landmark building restorations, as well as masonry renovations. She is adept in various project delivery methods, including construction manager as agent, construction manager at risk, design-bid-build, and design-build, making her an invaluable leader in delivering successful projects for Armand Corporation.
Robert “Bob” Mello is a seasoned construction professional with over 35 years of experience managing both new construction and renovation projects. As Associate Vice President of Pre-Construction at Armand Corporation, Bob specializes in overseeing planning and construction-related services for public and private clients.
A licensed Professional Engineer in New York State, Bob’s extensive expertise includes managing projects across urban environments and on-call contracts. His skill set encompasses facility planning, property condition assessments, constructability reviews, quality control and compliance, energy efficiency initiatives, and scope and schedule reviews.
Bob’s comprehensive approach ensures effective construction management from initial phases through project close-out, making him an invaluable leader in delivering successful outcomes for Armand’s clients.
CariAnn Palmese is a senior program manager with nearly 20 years of experience delivering program management and administrative support for large, complex, multi-million-dollar projects. Her expertise includes developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the successful execution of challenging initiatives.
A highlight of CariAnn’s career was guiding the Nassau County Department of Public Works in managing community reconstruction projects under a $36 million CDBG-DR capital program. Currently, she works alongside Armand’s team to provide construction management services for disaster recovery capital programs, showcasing her dedication to driving successful outcomes in high-stakes environments.
Jerome Wright is a seasoned financial analyst with nearly 20 years of accounting experience across diverse industries. As Associate Vice President of Operations at Armand Corporation, Jerome excels in managing and tracking vendor invoices, ensuring timely processing using project-specific templates, and providing hands-on assistance to vendors with invoice submissions.
Jerome’s expertise includes preparing detailed invoice summary reports for Program Manager approvals and collaborating with Program Managers to resolve billing discrepancies. He has a proven ability to reconcile financial data, comparing and correcting invoice details while working closely with project management and accounting teams to address invoicing issues.His commitment to precision and collaboration makes him an integral part of the operations team.
At Armand Corporation, We are committed to maintaining a secure and transparent hiring process. Please be aware of potential job scams that misuse our name to solicit sensitive or personal information. We do not request Social Security numbers, bank account details, or payment of any kind during the initial stages of the hiring process. Additionally, we never offer employment without a formal interview process. All applicants are required to participate in one or more interviews before any job offer is extended. While we may request verification of education, certifications, or licenses during the later stages of the hiring process.
If you receive suspicious communication claiming to be from Armand Corporation or are uncertain about the legitimacy of a job offer, please contact us directly at careers@armandcorp.com for confirmation. Protecting your privacy and ensuring a fair and professional hiring experience is our top priority.
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Phillip Grant is responsible for overseeing the company’s daily operations and driving the execution of strategic initiatives. He manages key relationships with stakeholders, including boards, owners, consultants, and contractors. Phillip is also responsible for negotiating contracts, resolving budget and schedule challenges, and integrating innovative technologies. He has over 20 years of extensive expertise in economic development, engineering, and public infrastructure. Phillip has successfully managed multi-billion dollar capital construction programs, focusing on sustainability, compliance, and efficiency. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York, a Certified Construction Manager and holds a BS in engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MBA from Mercy University. He is also a member of the Construction Management Association of America, National Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
