Press Releases & Statements

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NEW YORK, April 2006 – Richard L. Tomasetti, PE, Hon. AIA, chairman and co-founder of Thornton-Tomasetti and one of New York City’s preeminent leaders in structural engineering and design, has been elected Chairman of the New York Building Foundation, the charitable arm of the New York Building Congress.

“Richard Tomasetti represents the continued strength of this industry as well as the vitality of the New York Building Congress, which has been fortunate to have consistently outstanding leadership,” said Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson. “Richard succeeds John F. Hennessy III, joining a long list of men and women who exemplify this history of devotion and intelligent service to the industry and New York City.”

Richard Tomasetti has more than 35 years of extensive experience in the design of major innovative commercial, industrial and residential projects. His firm has been the structural engineers for the world’s tallest buildings, including Taipei 101 and Petronas Towers, as well as major athletic stadiums and arenas throughout the country. In New York, Thornton-Tomasetti is currently providing structural engineering services for the New York Times Building, the new Yankee Stadium, Giants/Jets Stadium and the Nets arena, among many others. Tomasetti is also a well-known specialist in building investigations and his firm was the lead engineering consultants on the World Trade Center rescue and clean-up operations.

Mr. Tomasetti’s many honors and awards include election to the National Academy of Engineering, an Honorary Doctorate from Manhattan College, the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York’s 2002 "Engineer of the Year Award," the 2001 Salvadori Center Founder's Award, the 1999 Concrete Industry Board "Leader of Industry Award," and the Engineering News-Record citation "Those Who Made Marks" for developing the "stressed skin" tube structure for high-rise buildings. He is an adjunct professor at Columbia University, a member of the honors seminar faculty at New York University, a noted author, lecturer and leader in the development of industry professional standards.

“It is a great honor to be named chairman of the New York Building Foundation by my peers at the New York Building Congress,” said Mr. Tomasetti. “I look forward to continuing the dedicated work of my predecessor John Hennessy and the mission of the Foundation in giving back to the city and region from which we all have received so much.”

The New York Building Foundation was formed in 1998 to promote the long-term growth and well being of the industry through a program of research, educational and philanthropic activities. It was created by construction industry leaders in part to marshal the diverse talents and energies of local firms and trade unions toward projects that give back to the community.

Philanthropic efforts by the Foundation include work completed on behalf of Peter’s Place and the Center for the Elimination of Violence in the Family. In response to the tragic attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the Building Foundation established a World Trade Center Memorial Fund. The Fund raised more than $400,000 from member employees, firms, and other industry colleagues. Most of the donated funds were distributed to surviving family members of building industry workers and uniformed personnel who perished on September 11. The Fund also awarded checks for $25,000 to the United Firefighters Association’s 911 Fund, the Port Authority Police Department WTC Disaster Fund and the Building Trades Families Relief Fund.

In seeking to better serve the industry and contribute to public debate on issues concerning design and construction, as well as the City’s economic future, the New York Building Foundation has also made research and analysis a major part of its efforts. The Building Foundation and its parent organization, the New York Building Congress, sponsor research and publish periodic reports on construction in New York City. These reports analyze the impact of current design, construction and real estate activity on the City’s economy and quality of life, and provide valuable forecasts of job creation and construction spending in the years ahead.

The Building Foundation has also been a participating sponsor of a series of reports assessing the urgent need for additional electric generation, financing future infrastructure and development strategies in New York City. These reports have been influential in educating media, public officials and residents about the growth of New York’s electric usage and have informed and influenced the City’s official energy policy.

Another major goal of the New York Building Foundation is to support the development of the next generation of industry leaders. This goal is accomplished most directly by the Hennessy Fund, through which the Building Foundation provides opportunities and funding for professional fellowships and student internships within the design, construction and real estate industry. The Building Foundation also sponsors one or more annual scholarships as part of the ACE Mentor Program. In addition, and in partnership with the Building Congress, an ACE scholarship is awarded each year in the names of the recipients of the George A. Fox Public Service Award, given at the New York Building Congress Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon.

Other officers elected to serve the New York Building Foundation for 2006 include Vice Chairmen: Robert Fee of Hunter Roberts Construction Group LLC; Jeffrey M. Levy of Rail Works Corporation; Ralph Esposito of Bovis Lend Lease LMB, Inc; and William A. Marino of Allied North America; Treasurer: Patric O’Malley of Gensler; Secretary: George Leventis of Langan Engineering; General Counsel: Michael De Chiara of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, and Mr. Anderson continues to serve as president.

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About New York Building Congress
The New York Building Congress is a non-partisan public policy coalition of business, labor, association and governmental organizations representing the design, construction and real estate interests of more than 250,000 individuals. More information on policies, programs and events is available at www.buildingcongress.com <http://www.buildingcongress.com/> .

About Thornton-Tomasetti
Thornton-Tomasetti Inc. is a 500-person international engineering and design firm, headquartered in New York City, which provides a wide range of services to building industry clients through structural engineering design, multidisciplinary building investigations, restoration design, advanced technologies and building design services for specialized facilities with complex systems. The firm maintains 12 offices in the U.S. and international offices in Hong Kong, Moscow and Shanghai. More information is available at http://www.ThorntonTomasetti.com <http://www.thorntontomasetti.com/> .

 

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.