Building Congress Event
95th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon
NEW YORK BUILDING CONGRESS HONORS JOSEPH MIZZI, THOMAS PRENDERGAST, AND SCOTT RECHLER AT 95TH ANNIVERSARY LEADERSHIP AWARDS LUNCHEON
NEW YORK – Nearly 1,000 men and women from the design, construction, and real estate community gathered on May 18 to pay tribute to Sciame Construction LLC President and Chief Operating Officer Joseph G. Mizzi, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast, and RXR Realty Chairman and CEO Scott Rechler, during the New York Building Congress 95th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon at the New York Hilton Midtown.
The luncheon, which was Co-Chaired by Brookfield Property Group Chairman Ric Clark and Con Edison Chairman and CEO John McAvoy, included a special greeting from New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.
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"Our City is booming. Jobs are being created. People are moving here from all over, and more and more, New York continues to reinvent itself. With this growth come the inevitable questions: how do we house, how do we transport, and how do we support this growth? The answer, of course, is building," said Speaker Mark-Viverito. She told those assembled that the City Council is proactively tackling the issues of education, housing, infrastructure, and transportation systems head on. She also applauded the Building Congress on its new report, Building a Better NYC Capital Budget, citing the organization's call for dedicated streams of funding for infrastructure investment and its advocacy for clearer timelines on public projects.
Rudin Management Company Vice Chairman and CEO William C. Rudin presented the 2016 Jack and Lewis Rudin Award for Service to New York City to Scott Rechler. Mr. Rudin praised Mr. Rechler, who founded RXR Realty in 2007, for his professional achievements, sterling track record as Vice-Chairman of the Port Authority where he oversees a $27.6 billion capital program, and his many philanthropic endeavors. "Governor Cuomo appointed Scott a few years ago and he was really focused and working tremendously hard to make sure the priorities were set for the future of our City," said Mr. Rudin. "Scott, thank you for your commitment to our City and State."
In his acceptance, Mr. Rechler recalled meeting Lewis Rudin. "He made it clear that when you are in the New York real estate business, it's not just about doing deals or owning buildings. It's about making a commitment to New York City and an obligation to make our communities better places," Mr. Rechler said, adding, "This City needs all of us in this room to take a page from the Jack and Lewis Rudin playbook, turn our backs to the nay-sayers, and prove once again that we will continue to move forward with bold projects. As New Yorkers, no challenge is too great, and it is my honor and privilege to join all of you in building for the future."
New York Building Congress Chairman Richard Cavallaro and Mr. McAvoy presented the 95th Anniversary Leadership Award to Mr. Prendergast. Mr. Cavallaro said, "The Building Congress has many reasons to recognize Tom. He has been an industry leader in promoting the use of advanced technologies to improve the safety, effectiveness, and quality of transit services." Mr. McAvoy added, "He is a true visionary with an unwavering commitment to maintaining and enhancing one of the world's largest public transit systems – a system that millions rely on 24/7."
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Mr. Prendergast accepted the award on behalf of the employees of the MTA who dedicate their lives to improving the region's public transportation. He discussed the importance of fully funding and executing the MTA's current five-year capital program and thanked Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature for their leadership. Mr. Prendergast said, "I came back to New York to run New York City transit because it's one of the few places in the world that gets its act together to be able to provide the finances necessary to maintain a state of good repair, provide enhancements, and expand the system. We have been challenged by the Governor to deliver this program faster, more economically, and better," which he said the MTA will do.
Mr. Clark was joined by Building Congress Director Cheryl McKissack Daniel in presenting the 95th Anniversary Leadership Award to Mr. Mizzi. Mr. Clark said, "Throughout his career, Joe has built a reputation for quality work and exemplary leadership. His firm has built some of New York City's iconic projects and is known for quality construction of complex designs by international architects."
"In 2012, Joe co-founded the non-profit 14+ Foundation, which develops, builds, and operates primary schools in underserved rural African communities and provides students with a free education. In addition, he serves on many Boards, including the New York Building Congress, Architectural League of New York, Boy Scouts of America, Salvadori Center, and Bronx Museum of the Arts," added Ms. McKissack Daniel. "The Building Congress could not have selected a more deserving honoree."
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Mr. Mizzi said that he was accepting his award on behalf of the men and women of Sciame Construction, as well as the firm's executive team, led by Founder and Chairman Frank Sciame. Mr. Mizzi then spoke of the importance of education and the pride he feels about the educational facilities that Sciame builds. "They say that education is the premise of progress of every society and every family, and I know our efforts with educational projects are directly contributing to elevating the fabric of our society into a future that will outlast us all."
Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson told the attendees, "Since our founding in 1921, we have held this annual celebration to bring together New York City's design, construction, and real estate community. We are deeply grateful for your attendance and generous support of our most successful Leadership Awards Luncheon to date. Congratulations, again, to those honored today."
The Underwriters of the luncheon were Brookfield Property Partners, Con Edison, Jack Resnick & Sons, Rudin Management Company, Inc., Sciame Construction LLC, and Skanska. The Journal Chairman was Michael J. Sweeney, HNTB Corporation. The Executive Co-Chairmen were AECOM / Tishman Construction, an AECOM Company and Milo E. Riverso, STV Incorporated.
