Contact:
New York Building Congress
Rubenstein Communications, Inc.
Bud Perrone (212) 843-8068
Thornton-Tomasetti
Great Ink Communications –(212) 741-2977
Roxanne Donovan/Eric Gerard/Deborah Geiger
For Immediate Release
RICHARD L. TOMASETTI ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF NEW YORK BUILDING FOUNDATION,
CHARITABLE ARM OF THE NEW YORK BUILDING CONGRESS
NEW YORK, April 2006 – Richard L. Tomasetti, PE, Hon. AIA,
chairman and co-founder of Thornton-Tomasetti and one of New York
City’s preeminent leaders in structural engineering and design,
has been elected Chairman of the New York Building Foundation, the
charitable arm of the New York Building Congress.
“Richard Tomasetti represents the continued strength of this
industry as well as the vitality of the New York Building Congress,
which has been fortunate to have consistently outstanding leadership,”
said Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson. “Richard
succeeds John F. Hennessy III, joining a long list of men and women
who exemplify this history of devotion and intelligent service to
the industry and New York City.”
Richard Tomasetti has more than 35 years of extensive experience
in the design of major innovative commercial, industrial and residential
projects. His firm has been the structural engineers for the world’s
tallest buildings, including Taipei 101 and Petronas Towers, as
well as major athletic stadiums and arenas throughout the country.
In New York, Thornton-Tomasetti is currently providing structural
engineering services for the New York Times Building, the new Yankee
Stadium, Giants/Jets Stadium and the Nets arena, among many others.
Tomasetti is also a well-known specialist in building investigations
and his firm was the lead engineering consultants on the World Trade
Center rescue and clean-up operations.
Mr. Tomasetti’s many honors and awards include election to
the National Academy of Engineering, an Honorary Doctorate from
Manhattan College, the American Council of Engineering Companies
of New York’s 2002 "Engineer of the Year Award,"
the 2001 Salvadori Center Founder's Award, the 1999 Concrete Industry
Board "Leader of Industry Award," and the Engineering
News-Record citation "Those Who Made Marks" for developing
the "stressed skin" tube structure for high-rise buildings.
He is an adjunct professor at Columbia University, a member of the
honors seminar faculty at New York University, a noted author, lecturer
and leader in the development of industry professional standards.
“It is a great honor to be named chairman of the New York
Building Foundation by my peers at the New York Building Congress,”
said Mr. Tomasetti. “I look forward to continuing the dedicated
work of my predecessor John Hennessy and the mission of the Foundation
in giving back to the city and region from which we all have received
so much.”
The New York Building Foundation was formed in 1998 to promote
the long-term growth and well being of the industry through a program
of research, educational and philanthropic activities. It was created
by construction industry leaders in part to marshal the diverse
talents and energies of local firms and trade unions toward projects
that give back to the community.
Philanthropic efforts by the Foundation include work completed on
behalf of Peter’s Place and the Center for the Elimination
of Violence in the Family. In response to the tragic attack on the
World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the Building Foundation
established a World Trade Center Memorial Fund. The Fund raised
more than $400,000 from member employees, firms, and other industry
colleagues. Most of the donated funds were distributed to surviving
family members of building industry workers and uniformed personnel
who perished on September 11. The Fund also awarded checks for $25,000
to the United Firefighters Association’s 911 Fund, the Port
Authority Police Department WTC Disaster Fund and the Building Trades
Families Relief Fund.
In seeking to better serve the industry and contribute to public
debate on issues concerning design and construction, as well as
the City’s economic future, the New York Building Foundation
has also made research and analysis a major part of its efforts.
The Building Foundation and its parent organization, the New York
Building Congress, sponsor research and publish periodic reports
on construction in New York City. These reports analyze the impact
of current design, construction and real estate activity on the
City’s economy and quality of life, and provide valuable forecasts
of job creation and construction spending in the years ahead.
The Building Foundation has also been a participating sponsor of
a series of reports assessing the urgent need for additional electric
generation, financing future infrastructure and development strategies
in New York City. These reports have been influential in educating
media, public officials and residents about the growth of New York’s
electric usage and have informed and influenced the City’s
official energy policy.
Another major goal of the New York Building Foundation is to support
the development of the next generation of industry leaders. This
goal is accomplished most directly by the Hennessy Fund, through
which the Building Foundation provides opportunities and funding
for professional fellowships and student internships within the
design, construction and real estate industry. The Building Foundation
also sponsors one or more annual scholarships as part of the ACE
Mentor Program. In addition, and in partnership with the Building
Congress, an ACE scholarship is awarded each year in the names of
the recipients of the George A. Fox Public Service Award, given
at the New York Building Congress Anniversary Leadership Awards
Luncheon.
Other officers elected to serve the New York Building Foundation
for 2006 include Vice Chairmen: Robert Fee of Hunter Roberts Construction
Group LLC; Jeffrey M. Levy of Rail Works Corporation; Ralph Esposito
of Bovis Lend Lease LMB, Inc; and William A. Marino of Allied North
America; Treasurer: Patric O’Malley of Gensler; Secretary:
George Leventis of Langan Engineering; General Counsel: Michael
De Chiara of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, and Mr. Anderson continues
to serve as president.
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About New York Building Congress
The New York Building Congress is a non-partisan public policy coalition
of business, labor, association and governmental organizations representing
the design, construction and real estate interests of more than
250,000 individuals. More information on policies, programs and
events is available at www.buildingcongress.com <http://www.buildingcongress.com/>
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About Thornton-Tomasetti
Thornton-Tomasetti Inc. is a 500-person international engineering
and design firm, headquartered in New York City, which provides
a wide range of services to building industry clients through structural
engineering design, multidisciplinary building investigations, restoration
design, advanced technologies and building design services for specialized
facilities with complex systems. The firm maintains 12 offices in
the U.S. and international offices in Hong Kong, Moscow and Shanghai.
More information is available at http://www.ThorntonTomasetti.com
<http://www.thorntontomasetti.com/>
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