IBEW Raises $40,000

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 164, based in Paramus, N.J., has raised nearly $40,000 as part of Project Grandma, an annual fund-raising project established in honor of breast cancer survivors and their families. The funds have been earmarked for cancer support services and programs at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, N.J., and Gilda's Club Northern New Jersey in Hackensack.

Project Grandma began in an effort to honor breast cancer survivors related to members of IBEW Local 164. Since its inception six years ago, the local has raised more than $200,000 for support groups and programs specially designed for patients and their loved ones. As a result of ongoing fundraising and volunteer efforts, Local 164 has received numerous awards for its community outreach efforts, including the President's Service Award, which is the nation's top award for volunteer service.

Port Authority Hosts Networking Exchange

About 100 architectural and engineering companies from the region recently attended the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Architectural and Engineering Information Exchange Program, an event held at Baruch College in Manhattan.

The program provides small, minority-owned and women-owned companies with the opportunity to network and develop relationships with larger firms that are looking for reliable, Port Authority-certified contractors and consultants for future projects.

According to a press release, past exchange programs have helped lead to about $30 million in contracts annually for these small businesses. The participants also learned about Port Authority procurement efforts that will award $440 million in construction contracts this year.

New Group Hosts Pulmonary Fibrosis Event

The newly formed Association of Real Estate Marketing Professionals recently hosted a successful inaugural event in support of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. The goal was to raise awareness of the incurable lung disease in the real estate marketing profession, to provide a network for industry executives, and to support industry-related causes.

Raising money to help fight pulmonary fibrosis is of particular concern to the organization because inhalation of construction debris can trigger the illness. "This is a cause the real estate development and construction industries should be behind," said Beth Fisher, a managing director at the Tarragon Corporation and organizer of the event, in a press release. Corporate sponsors of the event included Blackman New York and Related Residential Sales LLC.

Small Contractors Honor Supplier

The Regional Alliance for Small Contractors of New York recently honored Thomas Chen, president of Crystal Window & Door Systems, as the association's 2004 Specialty Supplier of the Year.

The Regional Alliance Awards recognize leading minority and women entrepreneurs who have grown their businesses and significantly improved their companies' competitive positions.

Lancaster Meets With Building Society

Patricia Lancaster, New York City's Building Commissioner, recently met with the Irish American Building society at its fall meeting and discussion roundtable.

The commissioner began by giving a summary of the condition of the building and construction industry in New York. She also described her overhaul of the Buildings Department, referencing her mandate by Mayor Michael Bloomberg "to fix" the agency by restructuring, retraining personnel, and increasing transparency.

Commissioner Lancaster also described her efforts working with industry groups to revise the city's building code, an ongoing effort with a goal of adopting a new version by 2006.

Click here for more Association News >>