These groups cover a wide spectrum of concerns ranging from those directly affecting the industry, including analysis of proposed zoning amendments, prevailing wage enforcement and government procurement procedures, to those affecting all who live or work in New York City, such as energy reliability, mass transit funding and school construction.

In addition to many issue-oriented committees, such
as Energy and Transportation/Infrastructure, the Building Congress maintains a Council of Presidents (COP) and a Public Agency Council. Through the COP, leaders of major industry organizations are given an opportunity to meet, in an informal setting, with high-level elected and appointed officials and private sector executives. The COP also serves to facilitate communication among labor, management and professional associations. The Public Agency Council is comprised of leaders from City, State, Federal and regional agencies responsible for approximately $10 billion in
annual capital construction. The Public Agency Council was created to provide a forum for members to discuss vital investment issues and develop ways to help raise public awareness of infrastructure needs.

The stature of speakers who regularly address these committees and councils is testimony to the valuable programs available to Building Congress members. Recent guests have included: Consolidated Edison Chairman and CEO Eugene R. McGrath; Deputy Mayor Anthony P. Coles;

Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY)
Managing Director Douglas Van Vleck;
NYC & Company President Cristyne F. Latagano-Nicholas;
Board of Education President William C. Thompson Jr.;
Jets Development LLC President L. Jay Cross.

Building Congress Councils and Committees:

Architects Leadership Council
Coordinator: Sam Spata, Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, P.C.

Council of Presidents
Chair: John A. Cavanagh, AMEC Construction Management, Inc. Vice-Chair: John F. Hennessy III, Syska & Hennessy, Inc.

Economic Development Committee
Co-Chairs: Thomas D. Farrell, Tishman Speyer Properties, and Susan L. Hayes, Cauldwell Wingate Company, Inc.

Energy Committee
Co-Chairs: John Gilbert, Rudin Management Company, Inc., and William A. Harkins, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.

Environment Committee
Co-Chairs: Cathleen B. Colella, Hazardous Elimination Corporation, and Gerard A. Neumann Jr., Spearin, Preston & Burrows, Inc.

Membership Committee
Co-Chairs: Edward A. Rytter, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Frank J. Sciame, F.J. Sciame Construction Company, Inc.

Public Agency Council
Composed of leaders of Federal, State, City and regional infrastructure organizations in New York City.

Public Buildings Committee
Co-Chairs: Paul D. Anderson, Barney Skanska Construction Company, and Elizabeth Velez,
Velez Organization

Public Procurement Committee
Co-Chairs: Peter Goetz, Goetz Fitzpatrick Most & Bruckman, and Mary Libassi Esq., Schiavone Construction Co.

Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Co-Chairs: M. Michael Francese, Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc., and Joan M. McDonald, Jacobs Sverdrup.