New York Building Congress 98th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon Honors Innovators in the Building Industry
In front of nearly 900 attendees, award recipients include Brookfield Properties’ Ric Clark and The Moynihan Train Hall Project
Photos from the event are available here
New York, NY — Last Thursday, the New York Building Congress held its 98th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon and celebrated the accomplishments of New York’s building industry. Prominent industry leaders gathered at the New York Hilton Midtown for the Building Congress’ most successful awards luncheon ever with almost 900 attendees.
“This is a built environment and when you are a built environment you have to continue to build and you have to continue to renew, and that’s what you have done extraordinarily well,” said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, who delivered welcome remarks. “We are not going to wait for the federal government, because that is what New York does—New York leads. We have a $150 billion investment program, the largest infrastructure program in the United States of America, and we are doing it totally differently than we have ever done.”
New York Building Congress President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura highlighted Governor Cuomo’s leadership and support of the building industry of New York and highlighted successes such as the Mario M. Cuomo bridge that was completed on time and on budget.
“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the largest state infrastructure program in the United States is happening in New York,” said Scissura. “Thanks to Governor Cuomo, New York is an infrastructure leader that is a model to the country and the world – we don’t just talk, we get things done.”
Scissura, along with Building Congress Chairman Milo E. Riverso, President and CEO of STV Group, Inc., led the annual luncheon focused on executives, projects and future leaders who are strengthening and improving the built environment of New York City.
“Our honorees represent the best of the building industry, leading iconic projects such as Hudson Yards, One Madison Avenue, and the New York Times building to usher in the future of the city,” said Riverso. “Leaders in the building industry are there when New Yorkers need them most, such as after Superstorm Sandy or when the World Trade Center was rebuilt.”
McKissack & McKissack President and CEO Cheryl McKissack Daniel and HDR, Inc’s Senior Vice President and Director of Transportation, East Region Eli R. Khoury, were Co-Chairs of the luncheon. Batska Consulting Group Principal Altin Batska served as the event’s Journal Chair.
“This event brings together an industry full of varying interests and organizations so that we can collaborate and progress together,” said Khoury. “We’ve been able to bring the best of the best from design, construction, and real estate to support initiatives that improve the industry and New York City as a whole.”
McKissack introduced the Moynihan Train Hall Project, which was honored with the inaugural Building the Future Award.
“The Moynihan Train Hall will transform the historic post office into a 21st century passenger hub, doubling the space that serves more passengers daily than LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark airports combined,” said McKissack.
“Transportation is a critical part of economic development, and the Moynihan Train Hall illustrates Governor Cuomo’s continued commitment to building New York’s economy and infrastructure,” said Empire State Development President & CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky, who accepted the award. “This is one of many examples that proves we can build great projects if we put our mind to it, and I’d like to congratulate the Moynihan team on their hard work.”
Brookfield Properties’ Chairman Ric Clark was presented with the Jack & Lewis Rudin Award for Service to New York City.
“It is a great honor to accept this award because of the Rudin family for which it was established. Jack and Lewis Rudin were real estate titans, but they also shaped our city in profound ways that went well beyond just the skyline,” said Clark. “Every step along the way, they were devoted to New York City’s success time and time again.”
The luncheon’s Guest of Honor was Lawrence P. Roman, Chief Executive Officer of WDF Inc.
"If there's one thing everyone can agree on, it is the need for strong infrastructure,” said Roman. “The New York Building Congress advances the most urgent infrastructure needs of our time, such as The Gateway Program – a comprehensive investment in the busiest section of the Northeast Corridor that would link millions of people to jobs, connect the New York-New Jersey metro area to the rest of the country, and supports sustainable practices. I hope we can all come together to support this goal.”
The Building Congress also honored two individuals with the inaugural Emerging Leaders Awards: Marilisa Stigliano, Director of Project Controls, NY Metro, at AECOM, and Andrew Werner, Senior Associate Principal at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, P.C. Stigliano and Werner lead the New York Building Congress’ Young Professionals Committee.
“I’m so honored to accept this Emerging Leaders Award because it exemplifies the New York Building Congress’ commitment to the future of this industry represented by its young professionals,” said Stigliano in her acceptance speech.
“We’re so lucky to be able to shape the skyline of New York City and other metropolises across the world,” said Werner when accepting the award. “But we also have a responsibility to make an impact by shaping the next generation of industry leaders.”
The New York Building Congress hosts various events throughout the year including next month’s Ascend 2019 on June 14, their first innovation and technology specific conference that will bring together design, construction, building, and engineering professionals across the city.
New York Building Congress Chairman Milo E. Riverso, Governor Andrew Cuomo, and New York Building Congress President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura (Left to Right)
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Michael Papagianakis; mp@buildingcongress.com; 212.481.9230 ext. 125
Anne Smith; anne.smith@berlinrosen.com; 646.517.7378
