Press Releases & Statements

NEW YORK – Approximately 900 members of the building community gathered to pay tribute to two industry greats during the New York Building Congress 2010 Industry Recognition Dinner at the Grand Hyatt New York on November 16.  Skanska USA Inc. Chairman Stuart E. Graham was presented with an Industry Recognition Award, and STV Group President Milo E. Riverso received the George A. Fox Public Service Award.

Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch delivered greetings to those in attendance on behalf of the Paterson administration.  “I am here tonight wishing that all of you will be busy as hell in the next decade.  What is in your interest is in the public’s interest,” he said, noting that investment in infrastructure is critical if New York is to grow, prosper and create jobs. 

New York Jets owner Robert Wood Johnson IV, who served as Dinner Chairman, echoed the Lieutenant Governor’s sentiments, noting “This industry has to do well for all of us to do well and prosper in the future.  This evening’s honorees exemplify the industry’s strength in creating a better, stronger and more livable New York.”

Mr. Johnson was joined by Hudson River Park Trust Chair Diana L. Taylor in presenting the Industry Recognition Award to Mr. Graham.  Both lauded him and his Skanska team for its work on the New Meadowlands Stadium, as well as complex urban projects such as the Hudson River and Brooklyn Bridge Parks, and a host of bridge, highways and other infrastructure work. 

Ms. Taylor said, “What I admire about Stu Graham and the Skanska organization is their incredible attention to detail and their ability to get the job done on time and on budget.  In addition to chairing the Building Congress, Stu has served the industry in numerous other ways, including chairing the Engineering and Construction Governors Council of the World Economic Forum.  For his exemplary leadership, for his contributions to educational service and development programs, and for his global leadership, I am pleased to join Woody Johnson in presenting this year’s Building Congress Industry Recognition Award to Stuart E. Graham.”

During his acceptance, Mr. Graham remarked, “I have spent 40 years working in construction both here and in many other parts of the world.  Because I have had the benefit of seeing so much of the world in my role at Skanska, I want to take a minute and reflect on the real estate and construction industry of New York.  First, there is no place like it – the most passionate ‘can-do’ owners, engineers, architects and contractors – it is a great place to do business – full of energy and exciting projects.”

At the same time, however, Mr. Graham noted that a great many challenges lie ahead.  “We have to look at ourselves. We have to be more competitive.  We are competing with other cities here in the USA, but even more so, we are competing with London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Dubai.  We are competing for talent and for jobs.”

Milo Riverso was selected as this year’s recipient of the George A. Fox Award in recognition of his voluntary public service above and beyond his professional responsibilities.  Never shying away from doing good, Milo has taken on leadership roles at the Regional Alliance for Small Contractors, the ACE Mentor Program and the New York Building Foundation, to name a few. 

Thornton Tomasetti Founding Principal Charles H. Thornton said, “Milo Riverso’s distinguished career is marked by voluntarism as well as professional accomplishments.  His leadership, as Board Chairman of the ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York, is carrying forward the ACE program to new heights.  What I like and admire most about Milo is his ability to work with so many in and out of government.  His quiet demeanor should not be taken for lack of dedication or perseverance.  He has a remarkable ability to get things done within his company and within the industry.”

Mr. Riverso used his acceptance to convince others to join him in his efforts.  “It is estimated that by the year 2015, we will have one million job openings.  Yet, for every five people who leave the design and construction field today, only one new person enters.  In order for our industry to grow and thrive, we need to take action now.  I would like to urge all of you to become more active in encouraging young people to become engineers, architects and builders, and to increase your efforts in mentoring, so that those who enter the field will stay and become tomorrow’s leaders.  It is also critical that we guide small and minority-owned businesses, helping them to grow and become more successful so they too can realize their full potential.”

Building Congress Chairman Peter A. Marchetto thanked the attendees for joining the salute to the evening’s honorees and supporting the Building Congress.  “Since I became Chairman last year, the unique qualities and 89-year record of accomplishment of this organization have never ceased to amaze me.  Our membership extends to every corner of design, construction and real estate in the City of New York.  We have over 1,500 members from almost 400 organizations.  We involve nearly 5,000 participants in Building Congress events each year and promote the best that our industry has to offer.  By your involvement, all of you make the Building Congress what it is – a highly influential and effective advocate for this industry.”

“Each year, we salute the extraordinary leadership and professional accomplishments of top leaders in our industry.  Including this year, we have honored 44 exceptional individuals from design, construction, real estate and government in the City of New York,” said Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson.  “We thank our Dinner Chairman Woody Johnson, our underwriters Michael F. McNally of Skanska USA, the New York Jets and Dominick Servedio of STV Group., as well as our Executive Co-Chairmen AECOM, Thomas Iovino, Peter Marchetto, George Pierson, Lawrence Roman, Porie Saikia-Eapen, Frank Sciame and Robert Stromsted 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.