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Nearly 1200 Attendees at New York Building Congress 2004 Industry Recognition Dinner Honor Charles DeBenedittis, Jeffrey Levy and Joseph D’Angelon
The annual gala event recognizes the brilliant careers and dedicated civic leadership of New York City’s foremost members of the design, construction and real estate industry. Building Congress Chairman Frank J. Sciame told the assembled guests, “By my count, only 17 individuals have received the Building Congress Industry Recognition Award since 1996. This year’s line-up continues an extraordinary list of awardees.We
DeBenedittis chose the occasion to thank the many people in attendance who have worked with him on major projects throughout his career.“It is you men and women out there, and those before you, who provide the special expertise required to build the projects that I have been privileged to have worked on. Thanks to all of you who come together on each project and make them happen.”
“I can’t imagine any greater honor than to be recognized by my peers,” said Levy, who noted that the building industry as a group does not get the recognition its members deserve. “We are the people who deliver the real thing. There’s no question about the tangible things we produce. We are the people who drive the engine that makes the world work.”
“Joseph D’Angelo has a wonderful knack of forging consensus and bringing people together. He has done this exceptionally well within the electrical sector of this industry for the past 40 years,” said Pinter. “But Joe D’Angelo’s leadership extends throughout the design, construction, and real estate community. While many forces tend to drive us apart, Joe brings us back together. That’s why recognition by the industry as a whole is so
The evening also included a video, which saluted the honorees, and performances by the USO of Metropolitan New York Troupe. “Since the Industry Recognition Dinner was launched on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Building Congress almost 10 years ago, we have honored exceptional individuals from design, construction, real estate, and government in the City of New York,” said Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson. “Our thanks to Peter Davoren, Cathleen Colella, Thomas Farrell and David Pinter for their exceptional job in making this evening our most successful ever.” |
Sciame was joined onstage by Dinner Chairman and Turner Construction President and CEO Peter J. Davoren, as well as Dinner Executive Co-Chairman and Tishman Speyer Properties Senior Managing Director Thomas D. Farrell, to present an Industry Recognition Award to Tishman Speyer Properties Senior Managing Director Charles DeBenedittis. Said Davoren, “Over a long career, Charlie DeBenedittis has been known for his innovations and worldwide accomplishments. I can say that few industry executives have done more over a longer period of time.” Davoren cited such notable projects as the World Trade Center in New York and the John Hancock Tower in Chicago, before adding, “ He also has been a pioneer in construction management and the use of energy-efficient building materials.”
Davoren was joined by Hazardous Elimination Corporation President and Dinner Executive Co-Chairman Cathleen B. Colella to present the evening’s second Recognition Award to former Building Congress Chairman Jeffrey M. Levy. “What I especially admire about Jeff is his dedication and commitment to this industry,” said Davoren. “He is thoughtful when others go with the flow. He is proactive when others may be too busy. His leadership at the Building Congress was among the very best and included establishment of the World Trade Center Memorial Fund to assist the families of colleagues from throughout the industry lost on September 11, 2001.”
A Special Recognition Award was presented to long-time New York Electrical Contractors Association Executive Director Joseph D’Angelo. The award was presented by Zwicker Electric Company President David B. Pinter, who also served as an Executive Co-Chairman for the Building Congress Dinner.
In his acceptance, D’Angelo said, “I feel very privileged to receive this award and to share this evening with Charles DeBenedittis and Jeff Levy. I am proud to be part of such a great industry and to be part of this great enterprise my entire career.”
