New York Building Congress Salutes Industry's Best

More than 1,000 representatives of the building community gathered to honor four industry leaders during the New York Building Congress 2003 Industry Recognition Dinner at the Grand Hyatt New York on Oct. 23.

The honorees were TDX Construction president James H. Jones, Modern Continental project executive Gerard A. Neumann Jr., P.E., Thornton-Tomasetti Group co-chairman Richard L. Tomasetti, and Contractors Association of Greater New York general counsel Raymond G. McGuire.

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.

Prior to presenting the Industry Recognition Award to Tomasetti, Empire State Development chairman Charles A. Gargano told those assembled, "I am happy to be back celebrating another great year for the Building Congress. We are nearing completion of a signature New York City project at Columbus Centre and nearing the start of another signature project, The Freedom Tower."

Gargano then went on to praise Tomasetti for his vast contributions to the industry, the city and to nonprofits such as Take the Field, Inc. Alongside fellow 2003 award recipient Jones, Tomasetti has donated his talents and professional services in renovating and constructing public school athletic facilities throughout the five boroughs.

During his acceptance, Tomasetti said, "I like to think that architects, engineers, contractors and skilled labor are working much better together now than in the past. That collaboration, which is the epitome of what the Building Congress does, is what we need in order to meet future challenges."

In presenting a Recognition Award to Neumann Jr., Building Congress chairman Marilyn Jordan Taylor said, "He is much more than a successful marine contractor. Jerry is one of those select few industry leaders who brings us together, who irons out the never-ending industry wrinkles, and who makes sure that we don't forget that this industry is stronger and more effective when we work together. What better tribute to Jerry Neumann than to say that this industry and this city need more people like him."

"I have been truly blessed to work for more than forty years in this industry," said Neumann. We take visions and dreams and turn them into the reality of wood, concrete and steel."

F.J. Sciame Construction Company president Frank J. Sciame, who served as dinner chairman, presented the Award to Jones: "What I like especially and admire about Jim Jones is his hands-on approach to construction. He co-founded TDX Construction over 20 years ago and, with his colleagues, has built the organization into one of the most accomplished firms in the city. Above all, Jim Jones is a generous and committed leader of this industry."

"I am particularly proud of the buildings that literally required an ability to mold thousands of people into a team," said Jones. "The challenge we have in this industry is to build quicker and more efficiently than we have in the last 10 to 20 years."

A Special Recognition Award was presented to McGuire. "One of Ray's most significant accomplishments was forging the labor arrangements that allowed our industry's outstanding performance cleaning up the World Trade Center site. That is just one illustration of his work. There are many others. All of us owe him a great deal," said AMEC Construction vice chairman John A. Cavanagh, who was joined onstage for the presentation by Taylor and Sciame.

"My professional life has centered increasingly on the construction industry over the past 25 years," said McGuire. "From clean-up laborers to CEOs of contracting companies, people in the world of construction have more passion for what they do than people in any other walk of life."

Tully Construction president Peter K. Tully served as executive co-chairman of the dinner, which included a video salute to the four honorees and a special performance by the Carpenters Local 608 Pipe and Drum Corps.

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