Building Congress Event
New York Building Congress 94th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon
NEW YORK BUILDING CONGRESS HONORS ALICIA GLEN, RICHARD CAVALLARO, AND HOWARD MILSTEIN AT 94TH ANNIVERSARY LEADERSHIP AWARDS LUNCHEON
NEW YORK, May 13, 2015 – Nearly 1,100 men and women from the design, construction, and real estate community gathered on May 13 to pay tribute to Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen, Skanska USA President and CEO Richard Cavallaro, and Milstein Properties Chairman and CEO Howard P. Milstein, during the New York Building Congress 94th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon at the New York Hilton Midtown.
The luncheon, which was Co-Chaired by The Howard Hughes Corporation CEO David R. Weinreb and WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff President and CEO, U.S. Gregory A. Kelly, included a special greeting from Lieutenant Governor Kathleen C. Hochul.
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“Whether you are an architect, an engineer, or someone in the building trades, you are the people who build this amazing City,” said Lt. Governor Hochul. “New York City continues to be a model for growth and renewal that other cities wish to emulate.”
She told those assembled that the Cuomo administration’s top priorities for New York City include passage of a six-year federal transportation bill, the ongoing development of a new Moynihan Station, increased use of design-build, and major improvements to JFK and LaGuardia airports.
Rudin Management Company Vice Chairman and CEO William C. Rudin presented the 2015 Jack and Lewis Rudin Award for Service to New York City to Deputy Mayor Glen. “We are glad to have Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen as our partner in City Hall,” Mr. Rudin said. “She understands the important role economic development plays in fulfilling the Mayor’s agenda of maintaining New York as a thriving global city that provides opportunities for all New Yorkers. And she has led the effort, working with the real estate industry, to develop a bold affordable housing plan. Her efforts are achieving measurable results for this City, and I can think of no better recognition than one in the name of my dad, Lew Rudin, and my Uncle Jack.”
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“As a lifelong New Yorker, I have been lucky enough to work in so many capacities to make this City even better than it is, so to receive an award for service to the City I love feels a bit indulgent. I also can’t tell you what it feels like to be in the same category as such luminaries as Burt Resnick, Daniel Rose, and John Zuccotti who have left such a powerful mark on New York City’s skyline. It’s really quite humbling,” said Deputy Mayor Glen, who also noted that she is the first, but certainly not the last, woman to receive this award.
Mr. Kelly presented the 94th Anniversary Leadership Award to Mr. Cavallaro. “Over nearly 20 years with Skanska, Rick Cavallaro has achieved exceptional results,” Mr. Kelly said. “During his recent service as President of Skanska USA Civil, he has led the organization to projects in every region of the country. We are fortunate at the Building Congress to have his leadership as a Vice Chairman and a head of our infrastructure campaign. He also serves on the Board of the American Road and Transport Builders Association as well as other civic and professional groups.”
Mr. Cavallaro said that he was accepting the award on behalf of the 10,000 Skanska employees working in the United States. He added, “In my 32 years in the business, a lot has changed. As an industry, we have moved from being contractors to being in the business of construction, which means more is expected of us. Not only do we need to deliver projects on time and on budget for our customers, but we need to operate in an ethical manner, find a way to get to zero accidents, and take care of our planet by finding green solutions. We need to build and foster diverse and inclusive organizations. These changes are essential to the overall sustainability of any organization in today’s society. As leaders of the construction industry, let’s drive that change. Let’s shape the future.”
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Mr. Weinreb was joined by Douglaston Development Chairman Jeffrey E. Levine in presenting the 94th Anniversary Leadership Award to Mr. Milstein, who recently concluded a four-year tenure as Chairman of the New York State Thruway Authority. Mr. Weinreb said, “Howard leads a family that has been prominent in business and philanthropy for three generations. He is a well-known figure in local, national, and global affairs and a trusted advisor on economic, civic, and philanthropic matters,” said Mr. Weinreb.
He added, “Howard’s leadership was demonstrated most recently at the New York Thruway Authority. His private sector experience in construction and large-scale development contributed to a design-build process that saved New York nearly $2 billion from the original cost estimates for rebuilding the Tappan Zee Bridge. And now the new bridge is rising – in record time, with record savings, and with record efficiency. Howard did his job and did it brilliantly.”
In addition to saluting his team at the Thruway Authority, Mr. Milstein took time to honor his father and grandfather, saying, “I am proud to follow in their footsteps as a builder and a businessman. I am grateful that they instilled in us the importance of giving back – of serving the City, State, and nation that has been so good to us.” He added, “It is incumbent on everyone in this room to work together with government to ensure that we continue to prosper, compete effectively in the 21st Century, and remain the best place in the world to do business. We are the builders. Our nation needs us.”
The Underwriters of the luncheon were AECOM, David B. Cooper of WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, The Howard Hughes Corporation, Jack Resnick & Sons, Edward L. Milstein of Milstein Properties, Rudin Management Company, and Michael Cobelli of Skanska. The Journal Chairman was Raymod Daddazio of Weidlinger Associates. The Executive Co-Chairmen were Con Edison, Christopher Larsen of Halmar International LLC, Jeffery E. Levine of Douglaston Development, Milo E. Riverso of STV Group, Lawrence P. Roman of WDF Inc., Sciame Construction LLC, and ThorntonTomasetti.
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