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NEW YORK – Nearly 1,000 members of the building community gathered to pay tribute to four industry greats during the New York Building Congress 2008 Industry Recognition Dinner at the Grand Hyatt New York on November 19. Henegan Construction Chair/CEO Maureen A. Henegan and STV Group, Inc. Chairman/CEO Dominick M. Servedio were presented with Industry Recognition Awards. Thornton Tomasetti Founding Principal Richard L. Tomasetti received the George A. Fox Public Service Award, and Special Recognition was given to New York City Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney.
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Left to right: New York Building Congress 2008 Industry Recognition Dinner honorees STV Group, Inc. Chairman/CEO Dominick M. Servedio, New York City Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney, Henegan Construction Chair/CEO Maureen A. Henegan and Thornton Tomasetti Founding Principal Richard L. Tomasetti with Building Congress Chairman Stuart E. Graham. |
Sciame Construction Chairman/CEO Frank J. Sciame and University of Pennsylvania School of Design Dean Marilyn Jordan Taylor presented the Industry Recognition Award to Ms. Henegan. After Mr. Sciame marveled at her ability to survive and thrive over 22 years in the industry, Ms. Taylor added, “We are welcoming Maureen tonight in the company of some extraordinary women whom we have honored,” including Patricia Lancaster, Maryanne Gridley, Mary-Jean Eastman and Susan Hayes.
Ms. Henegan used part of her acceptance to praise Ms. Taylor and the organization honoring her. “The Building Congress is doing tonight what it does best – living out its commitment to bringing out New York’s finest; all of the people who make up this great industry.” She also praised her father, who founded her company. “Our firm is the fruition of my father’s vision. I accept this award in his memory.”
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Executive Director Christopher O. Ward presented the Industry Recognition Award to his friend, Dominick M. Servedio, immediate past Chairman of the Building Congress. While Mr. Ward noted Mr. Servedio’s major role at the World Trade Center, where he and his STV colleagues are working on the WTC Transit Hub, Freedom Tower and Memorial, most of his presentation was focused on Mr. Servedio’s passion and drive. “Dominick has committed himself to New York. He makes this town possible,” Mr. Ward said. And he has been there time and again for this City, the Building Congress and for STV.”
Mr. Servedio praised his colleagues in the room and expressed his usual optimism, saying, “Make no mistake. It will be our industry that leads the turnaround in our economy.” He thanked his colleagues at STV, saying “To be the best you can be, you have to contribute to your City and your industry,” before concluding, “It doesn’t seem right to give someone recognition for doing something he loves so much.”
Building Congress Chairman Stuart E. Graham presented the George A. Fox Public Service Award to Mr. Tomasetti. “Few individuals have contributed as much as Richard to so many worthwhile causes. As Chairman of the New York Building Foundation, he has energized the organization toward much greater support of education, philanthropic and research activities,” said Mr. Graham who also noted Mr. Tomasetti’s exemplary contributions to educational and mentoring programs aimed at existing and future industry professionals.
Mr. Tomasetti urged those in attendance to continue working for the betterment of New York, saying, “If George Fox was here tonight, I think he would ask us, even in these difficult times, to always set aside some of our time and money for the next generation. This is not the time to pull back on the best investment in our future – teaching and mentoring our young people.”
In presenting Special Recognition to Commissioner Burney, Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler remarked, “Our administration continues to be impressed with David’s extraordinary expertise in building and design. He was ahead of the curve on sustainability, pushing for green elements on projects long before anyone thought to mandate it, and he has always been ahead of the curve on innovative design.”
During his acceptance, Commissioner Burney discussed his work on Mayor Bloomberg’s Design and Construction Excellence Initiative, which started in 2004. “We have worked very hard with this industry to achieve that excellence and I think we have had success,” Looking ahead to the challenge of operating during a downturn, he said, “The tighter the budget, the more we need great design professionals to get the most out of the budget.”
City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn greeted the attendees during the dinner, telling them, “I want to thank you for being such active members of the building and development community of New York. Your participation has never been more important. Thanks for helping keep our City growing and our economy moving.”
In a letter, Governor David A. Paterson wrote of the industry, “Your steadfast commitment to your work will not only advance the overall building and construction industry but ensure future growth and progress in the greatest City in the world.”
“Each year, we salute the extraordinary leadership and professional accomplishments of top leaders in our industry. Including this year, we have honored 38 exceptional individuals from design, construction, real estate and government,” said Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson. “Our thanks to our Dinner Chairman Stuart E. Graham as well as to our Executive Co-Chairmen Paulinus J. Bryce, Raymond P. Daddazio, John M. Dionisio, John T. Livingston, Salvatore Mancini, Charles F. Murphy, Raymond M. Pocino, Milo E. Riverso, and Frank J. Sciame for their exceptional work in making this one of our most successful evenings yet.”
The New York Building Congress is a membership coalition of business, labor, association and government organizations promoting the design, construction and real estate industry in New York City.
