Annual Report 2004

Page 1

This is an exciting time for the building industry and for the New York Building Congress. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this vitally important coalition and am extremely fortunate to be inheriting the mantle from Marilyn Jordan Taylor, who has done so much to strengthen the organization over the past two years.

While we as an industry face a host of challenges – from rethinking how we make our buildings more secure and healthy for their occupants to promoting greater minority and women participation in the workforce – our biggest and perhaps most difficult challenge is an age-old one.

It is critical that we come together as an industry to tell our story more thoughtfully and forcefully. Admittedly, great strides have been made on this front. The entire world witnessed the bravery and commitment of our men and women in the days and months after the collapse of the twin towers. And it is no secret that our industry has helped tremendously to bolster the City during its most recent economic downturn.

Still, such accomplishments and recognition often prove fleeting. In addition, there remains a misperception among too many New Yorkers about our industry’s safety record, ethics and
trustworthiness. These lingering doubts are fed by news reports of isolated lapses, usually by members on the fringes of the building community.

So, what must the Building Congress and its members do to better (and more accurately) communicate this industry’s track record and dedication to the City? First and foremost, we must protect our industry’s reputation and insist that all members act ethically and honestly. We must act as ambassadors of our industry and cooperate with our government to deter members of our industry who don’t adhere to this principle. They represent but a tiny fraction of the industry but the consequences of their actions ultimately affect us all.

Second, we must continually strive to produce accurate information on who we are, what we do, and how we impact the regional economy. We must then widely disseminate this information to New Yorkers, public officials, private business leaders, the news media and other opinion makers. Much the same as the financial and communication industries, construction is a major engine of economic activity, and it is high time such facts become more widely recognized and appreciated so that we may be justly rewarded for our efforts.

Finally, I submit that our members, for the sake of the building community, should strive to be more self-promotional. Not a day goes by in which one of our firms is not giving generously of their time and talents to help build facilities, such as libraries, parks and community centers, that benefit the City at large. What is more, we are unstinting in the financial support we give to so many charitable causes. Rarely, however, do our members seek to publicize these kind deeds.

As Chairman of the Building Congress, I will work hard to help our members tell these inspiring stories of altruism and will offer the resources of the Building Congress in this effort.
I eagerly look forward to working collaboratively with each of you in the coming years.

Frank J. Sciame
Chairman, New York Building Congress