Burger to serve out late Barbieri’s term on NHP village board

Rebecca Klar
Rainer Burger was appointed to the New Hyde Park village board to finish out the late Trustee Donald Barbieri's term. (Photo courtesy of Rainer Burger)

Rainer Burger has been an active member of the New Hyde Park community through his work with the Boy Scouts, but it is his career working with transportation construction that he said will most likely help him the most in his new spot on the New Hyde Park village board.

Burger, who was originally from Floral Park but has lived in the village for about 30 years, works for AECOM Tishman, a construction and design firm, as a consultant to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

His primary function is overseeing the LaGuardia Airport redevelopment project, Burger said.

His work with construction plans will be helpful with the ongoing Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s third track project that will affect the village, he said.

Before getting involved with construction consulting, Burger served in the U.S. Air Force.

He has also been involved in the community as a scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 298.

After serving in military, Burger said he’s always seen the value in “service before self.”

He views serving on the village board as another way to give back to the community, he said.

He added that serving as a trustee is a “natural stepping stone” to transition from high school volunteering.

“I’m honored to serve the village,” Burger said. “Honored that the trustees, as well as the mayor, have asked me to come forward to fill the big shoes of Barbieri. He was a fixture in our town, and very active in the community, so I could never fill his shoes, but I hope I can do my best and help in the community interest as we move forward.”

Barbieri died in February after decades with multiple sclerosis.

Burger will finish out Barbieri’s term, which extends until the March election.

Although his time on the board has just begun, Burger said he is already considering running for his own term.

Share this Article