Veteran-owned business builds with purpose on Port Authority projects

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is actively modernizing and maintaining its vital regional transportation network from bridges, tunnels and airports to the seaport. With so many projects of varying difficulty on land or near the sea, the agency contracts firms with proven ability and skills to tackle complex structural work, while seeking out as many qualified firms as possible to encourage competitive processes for the work.

When a contractor’s technical expertise and values align with the Port Authority’s commitment to building both world-class infrastructure and creating inclusive economic opportunities, the result can lead to good business all around. One such contractor was founded by a commercial diver and now led by a former Navy SEAL and Naval officer. Walker Diving Underwater Construction provides highly specialized technical expertise for underwater construction on marine and infrastructure projects, and under CEO David Earp, it also creates meaningful career pathways for veterans.

“Our partnership with the Port Authority allows us to do work that matters—both in terms of the infrastructure itself and the people behind it,” said Earp. “Whether we’re maintaining runway surfaces or cutting through concrete underwater, we bring the same level of discipline, safety, and care to every project. And we take real pride in offering opportunities to veterans who bring those same values to the field.”

So far, Walker Diving has worked on several projects across the Port Authority’s portfolio — some at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A, Port Newark, the Elizabeth Port Authority Marine Terminal, and the agency’s berths in Bayonne.

As a service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB), Walker Diving makes veteran hiring a priority: 15 to 20 percent of its workforce are former service members. The company partners with programs like Helmets to Hardhats to help veterans transition into skilled construction roles. Earp’s leadership extends beyond the construction work sites to the executive board of the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce, where from 2018 to 2022, he worked to expand job access and build supportive networks for former service members.

At Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A, Walker Diving provided core drilling as part of the $2.7 billion redevelopments completed in 2023. The work involved using a giant, hollow drill bit similar to very thick straw to bore clean, round holes into concrete or asphalt. This lets crews run pipes, wires, or sensors through floors, walls, and other surfaces without breaking up large chunks around the opening.

Walker Diving also applies its underwater construction technical expertise on marine projects, such as barrier sawing where a powered circular blade mounted on a track slice through concrete walls, bridge barriers, and roadway dividers. The clean cuts create narrow, precise cuts that allow damaged sections to be removed without disrupting surrounding structures – much like a handsaw working through wood, but on a much larger scale.

For techniques such as deep plunge cutting, the blade lowers vertically into a concrete slab, cutting a tight slot before lifting out, allowing for accurate work in confined or sensitive areas. The firm used the technique to demolish a very specific area on a ramp without comprising its structural integrity as part of the Port Street Corridor Improvement project, a $220 million project to improve safety and egress at the busiest marine terminal complex within the East Coast’s busiest port.

“We don’t just look at who can do the work – we look at how they do it and who they bring with them,” said Jose Febrillet, the Port Authority’s chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer. “When a firm like Walker Diving shows up, they bring more than technical skill. They bring a team that includes veterans, skilled tradespeople, and individuals who are building careers through programs like Helmets to Hardhats. That matters to us. It’s not just about meeting diversity goals on paper – it's about seeing those values reflected in the field, on our sites, every day.”