Maher Abdelqader - Member

Mr. Abdelqader, is a Certified Construction Manager (CCM), has over 30 years of experience in the management and implementation of multi-discipline, multimillion-dollar in design and construction engineering projects. Mr. Abdelqader has demonstrated exemplary leadership and management skills by successfully delivering large and complex engineering projects to federal, state and municipal clients throughout the Northeast States; including upgrade/rehabilitation and construction of bridges, Bridge Skewbacks, tunnels, roadways, service buildings, Ventilation Buildings, Subway stations & platforms, Parking lots, Salt domes, etc.

Prior to joining AIE, Mr. Abdelqader was the Project Manager with MTA Bridges & Tunnels and MTA NYC Transit Authority where he compiled an impressive record of project achievements.  Over his career, he has led, managed and oversaw teams of lead designers, construction managers, resident engineers, schedulers, estimators, architects, inspectors, and Construction Management Professionals and Contractors from project inception through design, construction and close out in areas of scope development, design, construction, and construction close out.  Mr. Abdelqader is a strong advocate of sustainability in all infrastructure design, construction and maintenance projects. Mr. Abdelqader believes in restoring vibrancy in our urban centers by investing in physical infrastructure, including transportation/transit projects. 

 These projects have involved the construction of the nation’s important infrastructure including railroads, bridges, highways, airports, transit facilities, power and utilities. Mr. Abdelqader is AI Engineers, (AIE), Corporate Vice President and NY Regional Manager.

In addition, he was also an adjunct professor at St. Johns University in Jamaica - Queens/ New York.  In June 24, 2010 Mr. Abdelqader was honored by NYC Council where he was presented by the City Council proclamation for being a lead community leader.

Mr. Abdelqader co-founded the Palestinian American Congress, “PAC” – USA in 1995 and served as its National President, Chairman of the Board and VP between the years of 1995 – 2008.    Mr. Abdelqader also facilitated the appearance of former President Bill Clinton as the key-note speaker in PAC’s 3rd Annual Convention in Washington, DC in May of 1998.

Mr. Abdelqader cofounded in 2006 & served thru 2019 as the President and Chairman of the Arab American Association of Engineers & Architects; AAAEA- Tristate, also served in 2011thru 2014 as the east coast representative of the National Executive Committee.

Mr. Abdelqader cofounded and served as chairman of the board of the American Friends of Palestine organization from 1989 to 1994.  Mr. Abdelqader is a prominent member of the National Policy Council and the presidential circle of the Arab American Institute. September 1995; Mr. Abdelqader was a member of the State of Palestinian delegation to the United Nations 50th Anniversary Celebration which was headed by the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.  In 2005, Mr. Abdelqader was appointed as an advisor and a member of the State of Palestine delegation to the International Parliamentary Conference held at United Nations headquarters in NYC.  

Mr. Abdelqader was a co-founded of the General Union of Palestinian Students (GUPS) – USA which was established in 1980, Mr. Abdelqader served as president of GUPS-NY chapter from 1981 to 1987.  He has been an instrumental facilitator in the creation of a multitude of Arab student clubs in universities throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts states in the 1980’s as well. 

Mr. Abdelqader has met with US Secretary of State, John Kerry & Colin Powell, US national Security Advisor, Susan Rice in the White House in August 2013. former President Bill Clinton in the White House August 6, 1996, and February 18, 2000 to discuss issues pertinent to our Arab American community as well as issues pertinent to Palestinian American community and issues regarding prospects of peace in the Middle East.  Mr. Abdelqader had several meetings in the White House and the US State Department where he met also Mr. Sandy Burger, National Security Advisor, Vice President Al Gore and other key leaders.  Mr. Abdelqader had meetings with several world leaders, i.e., President Yasser Arafat and President Mahmoud Abbass of Palestine, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, former New York Governor George Pataki, Senator Charles Schumer, former Assistant Secretary of State Bill Burns, former Secretary of the Arab League Amr Musa, and Prince Crown and then King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, to name but a few.

Mr. Abdelqader has been interviewed by and appeared on most major American radio and television stations: CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, NY- Channel 1 News, Fox, BBC / English, RT, Russian Arabic TV as well as Japanese news outlets.  He has been interviewed by and appeared on Arabic radio and television stations as well: Al-Jazeera, ART, Monte Carlo /Arabic, BBC / Arabic, and Sawt Philistine/ Ramallah.  Mr. Abdelqader has been a lecturer at Columbia University, CUNY Graduate Center, Rodgers University, Torah Academy, and the Beirzeit Society.