Building Congress Event
Industry Recognition Dinner
NEW YORK BUILDING CONGRESS PUTS THE FOCUS ON INDUSTRY'S RESPONSE TO HURRICANE SANDY AT 2012 INDUSTRY RECOGNITION DINNER
NEW YORK – In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the New York Building Congress altered its program for the 2012 Industry Recognition Dinner, held on November 13 at the Grand Hyatt, to include support for victims of Hurricane Sandy and the building community’s important role in recovery efforts.
Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson opened the program by saying, “This year, we have a special reason for gathering – to support New York City’s efforts to recover and rebuild after such a damaging storm. I would like to take a moment to recognize and salute the many organizations, employees and volunteers who have done such heroic rescue and recovery work in the last two weeks,” he added, noting in particular the work of the MTA, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the City of New York, Con Edison and National Grid, as well as an array of industry firms, union members and countless volunteers.
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Building Congress Chairman John M. Dionisio then announced that the organization will donate $50,000 from the event’s proceeds to fund a new “Building Congress and Building Foundation Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.” On a personal note, Mr. Dionisio, who is Chairman and CEO of AECOM, added, “I have the greatest admiration and respect for the design, construction and real estate professionals in this industry. All of you have demonstrated your talent, commitment, and generosity in so many ways, and now we have another major opportunity to do so.”
New York Building Foundation Chairman Frank J. Sciame announced that the Foundation would also contribute $50,000 for a total initial fund of $100,000. He then announced that Building Congress members AECOM, Allied Development, HOK, Parsons , Railworks, Sciame Construction, Skanska, STV, Spartan Solutions and Thornton Tomasetti had also pledged to contribute to the recovery fund.
Each of the evening’s awardees elected to devote their acceptance speeches to the challenges facing the City and to rally the building community in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
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Industry Recognition Award winner Peter A. Marchetto, who is President of the Americas for Tishman Construction said, “I have never been more proud to be in this industry,” given its incredible professional and civic response to the storm. Mr. Marchetto, who is actively involved in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, remarked that all New Yorkers could draw inspiration from the City’s response to 9/11. “When we look at what has happened in Lower Manhattan, we know we can and will rebuild.”
Parsons Brinckerhoff President and CEO George J. Pierson, who also was honored with an Industry Recognition Award, echoed Mr. Marchetto’s praise for the industry, adding, “Right now, I want to thank the 1,500 Parsons Brinckerhoff employees and contractors who are involved in the recovery efforts, from Maryland through New England.” Mr. Pierson also acknowledged all of the building industry members from around the country who have descended upon the region to assist in any way they could. “They are the real heroes tonight,” Mr. Pierson said.
This year’s winner of the George A. Fox Award, Richard Ravitch, was recognized for his selfless civic and professional dedication in helping lead New York City and State through multiple crises. Mr. Ravitch said, “This award means a lot to me because of the deep and profound affection and connection I feel for this industry. I learned early on that one’s word was one’s bond and that a handshake was all that was needed.” In this regard, he said the design, construction and real estate industry is perfectly suited to play a leading role in the recovery efforts.
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DRAGADOS USA Executive Vice President Christopher O. Ward, who served as Dinner Chairman, summed up the mood of the gathering, by noting, “This industry has always stepped up in the times of New York’s greatest needs, and tonight is no exception. With your help, and the support of the Boards of both the Building Congress and Building Foundation, I know that we can do much, much more.”
The New York Building Congress 2012 Industry Recognition Dinner was made possible thanks to the support of its underwriters AECOM, DRAGADOS USA and Parsons Brinckerhoff as well as the event’s Executive Co-Chairmen Eli R. Khoury of HDR, Inc., Christopher Larsen of Halmar International, Michael F. McNally of Skanska USA, Inc., Milo E. Riverso of STV Group, Inc., Sciame Construction LLC, Lawrence P. Roman of WDF Inc., Tishman Construction - An AECOM Company - an AECOM Company, and Michael S. Zetlin of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP.
