Category: P3 Center in the Media

The Center for Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Policy is pleased to welcome two new senior fellows to its growing community: Dr. Jessica Terman and Dr. Vinh Mai join as Senior Research Fellows. Both bring valuable expertise that will enhance the Center’s mission to support innovative, effective, and inclusive infrastructure policy.

Dr. Jessica Terman is an Associate Professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, where she teaches public administration and research methods. As a Senior Research Fellow, she brings deep experience in public management, with a focus on the implementation of third-party governance tools such as intergovernmental grants and government contracting. Her current research explores how state and local governments design and implement energy efficiency and conservation policies. She has also published extensively on bureaucratic policymaking and procurement practices within state governments. Dr. Terman holds a PhD in Public Administration from Florida State University and a BA in Policy from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Dr. Vinh Mai, joining as a Research Fellow, is a Lecturer (Teaching) in Infrastructure, Economics, and International Development. Originally from Vietnam, Dr. Mai combines academic knowledge with practical insights into infrastructure challenges in developing economies. His research focuses on infrastructure financing and funding, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), the relationship between infrastructure investment and economic growth, the role and performance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and cost-benefit analysis of infrastructure projects. His work is driven by a commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, especially in resource-constrained settings.

The Center is proud to welcome Dr. Terman and Dr. Mai and looks forward to their contributions to its research, policy engagement, and thought leadership in infrastructure development.

Dr. Jonathan Gifford, Director of the Center for Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Policy, was quoted in FundFire‘s coverage of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s approval of a BlackRock-led acquisition of Allete, parent company of Minnesota Power. Under the $6.2 billion deal, BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners will take a 60% stake, with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board holding the remaining interest. Dr. Gifford called the move a “new frontier” in utility financing, emphasizing the need for innovative capital strategies to meet private equity-level return targets.

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Center Director, Dr. Janothan Gifford was quoted in The Washington Post article titled,“ Maryland could face millions in cost risks if toll lane plan for Beltway, I-270 stalls”.

Jonathan Gifford, a professor at George Mason University and director of the Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy, said early collaboration can help governments advance projects more quickly and efficiently, while also improving the design.

“The earlier you get the contractor involved,” Gifford said, “the more options for innovation you have.”

See the full article here.

Center Director Dr. Janothan Gifford was quoted in The Washington Post article titled, “Possible legal challenges pose cost risks for Maryland toll lanes proposal”.   

Jonathan Gifford, a professor and expert in public-private partnerships at George Mason University, said state transportation officials might proceed with a controversial project if their lawyers conclude that any lawsuits are unlikely to succeed or cause significant delays.

The companies — and, more importantly, their investors — will protect themselves from a legally vulnerable environmental analysis, he said. That’s because private financing relies on collecting toll revenue to pay back bondholders and other investors on a certain schedule.

“I’d be astonished if the state or any developer would enter into an agreement without having very explicit discussions and agreeing on how they’d cover such an eventuality,” Gifford said. 

See the full article here.