Events

Building Congress Event

Industry Recognition Dinner

NEW YORK BUILDING CONGRESS SALUTES THE BEST OF THE BUILDING COMMUNITY AT 2016 INDUSTRY RECOGNITION DINNER

NEW YORK - Nearly 1,000 members of the building community gathered to pay tribute to four industry legends during the New York Building Congress 2016 Industry Recognition Dinner on November 16 at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan.

New York Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson was honored with the Distinguished Leadership Award. Lend Lease (U.S.) Construction LMB Inc. New York President Ralph J. Esposito, Turner Construction Company Senior Vice President Charles F. Murphy, and Thornton Tomasetti Chairman and CEO Thomas Z. Scarangello were honored with Industry Recognition Awards. 

The Dinner, which featured remarks by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, was co-chaired by Delta Air Lines Vice President of New York Henry D. Kuykendall and Jaros, Baum & Bolles Managing Partner Mitchel W. Simpler.

Building Congress Chairman Richard Cavallaro, along with the Past Chairmen who were in attendance -
Mr. Scarangello, Tishman Construction Corporation President Peter Marchetto, STV Group, Inc. Executive Chairman Dominick M. Servedio, and Sciame Construction LLC Chairman and CEO Frank J. Sciame - presented Mr. Anderson with the Distinguished Leadership Award. Mr. Cavallaro began by touting Mr. Anderson’s impressive professional accomplishments as well as his strong character, calling him “a man of honor, dedication, and vision.”  Mr. Servedio told Mr. Anderson, “I just want you to look around, I want you to take this all in - this is what you have built. You not only have built the Building Congress in terms of membership and improved its finances, but you have built it in stature. You have become the heart and soul of this organization.”

During his acceptance, Mr. Anderson described Building Congress members as the best and most accomplished of their industry and thanked them for the opportunity to serve as President.  “I think one word captures my feelings about working with all of you. That word is respect - respect for your ingenuity, collaboration, accomplishments, innovation, perseverance, humility, and so much more.” He reflected back on the Building Congress’ progress during his tenure, which includes a quadrupled membership; a six-fold increase in women serving on the Board of Directors; the organization’s 90th anniversary celebration; the launch of an annual report series and special publications on industry issues; and the formation of multiple task forces and councils. “Some would say that the best measure of success is whether you leave an organization stronger than when you arrive. Working with our Board, staff, and membership, we have been able to achieve that by virtually every measure,” he said.

In his presentation of the first Industry Recognition Award, Joseph A. Ienuso, Group Senior Vice President at NewYork-Presbyterian, commended Mr. Esposito for his strong leadership during his three decades with Lend Lease, as well as the substantial work he has done for the industry and City. “He is overseeing a number of transformational projects, including the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus Expansion, and Clippership Wharf.” Mr. Ienuso also described Mr. Esposito’s civic accomplishments with the Building Congress, the Contractors’ Association of Greater New York, and the ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York.

In accepting the award, Mr. Esposito recognized the accomplishments of the other honorees, saying, “The fact that I am being recognized with them this evening is enormously gratifying.” He praised Mr. Anderson’s long-time career in the industry, telling the attendees, “When I joined this business, Dick Anderson was already an icon.” Mr. Esposito went on to thank the people of Lend Lease. “They’re smart, they’re passionate, they’re incredibly loyal, and every bit of success that I enjoy I owe to them,” he said.

Pat A. Di Filippo, Executive Vice President of Turner Construction Company, presented the second Industry Recognition Award to Mr. Murphy. Mr. Di Filippo called Mr. Murphy “a true New Yorker,” who grew up working for his family’s plumbing company, which was responsible for the plumbing work on the Empire State Building. He described Mr. Murphy as a devoted husband and father and highlighted his professional accomplishments at Turner Construction. He also recounted the extent of Mr. Murphy’s charitable endeavors, noting, “At Turner, we speak about community involvement, making a difference. Charlie has done his part in making a difference as a leader, so much so that Catholic Charities has named a building after him.”

Mr. Murphy accepted the award and spoke about his career at Turner. “I’ve had the great pleasure of working for a tremendous company - Turner Construction Company - which let me do the things that I love.” He went on to memorialize Pat Moran, a colleague at Turner who passed away this year after a battle with leukemia. He remembered Mr. Moran as a person who lived fearlessly and gave back to the community. Mr. Murphy said of Mr. Moran, “He made a difference, and my challenge for this room is let’s make a difference like Pat would.”   

HOK Managing Partner Carl Galioto presented the third Industry Recognition Award to Mr. Scarangello, calling him “one of the most energetic, most interesting, and one of the most innovative people in our entire industry.”
Mr. Galioto also praised Mr. Scarangello for putting construction innovation at the top of his agenda during his tenure as Building Congress Chairman.  “On behalf of the Building Congress, we are very pleased to recognize Tom Scarangello’s work on innovation and best practices, as well his leadership in our industry.”

In accepting his award, Mr. Scarangello thanked Mr. Galioto for his role on the Building Congress’ Task Force on Innovation and Best Practices. He commended Mr. Esposito and Mr. Murphy for their accomplishments in the industry, saying, “You both have always been in New York, leading our industry with passion and integrity, and thank you for your continued tireless efforts to drive innovation and raise the bar on best practices in New York.”  He spoke about Mr. Anderson, and how for a time he reminded him of the character Agent Smith from The Matrix. “Dick was everywhere, and there couldn’t possibly be just one of him. He was always one step ahead of everyone, and he was always perfectly composed. All he was missing was the dark sunglasses.” He also recognized the people of Thornton Tomasetti, where he has worked for 37 years.

“This dinner celebration began in 1996 on the occasion of the Building Congress’ 75th Anniversary. Including this year, we have now honored 66 amazing individuals and organizations from the design, construction, real estate, and government sectors in the City of New York,” said Mr. Cavallaro. “This year, we are especially grateful to our Dinner Underwriters - Delta Air Lines; Extell Development Company; Jaros, Baum & Bolles; Lend Lease; Thornton Tomasetti; and Turner Construction Company.”