New York Building Congress Celebrates 104th Anniversary, Honors Industry Leaders at Awards Luncheon
Published on May 8, 2025
For Immediate Release: May 8, 2025
Media Contact: Callie Samton, nybc@berlinrosen.com
New York Building Congress Celebrates 104th Anniversary, Honors Industry Leaders at Awards Luncheon
Featuring Governor Hochul, the event honored Lorraine Grillo, CEO of Bradford Construction Corp. of New York, a BRAVO Company; Cyrus Izzo, President & CEO of Syska Hennessy Group; David Arena, Head of Global Corporate Real Estate at JPMorgan Chase; and the New Highmark Stadium
New York, N.Y. (May 8, 2025) — Yesterday, the New York Building Congress hosted its 104th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon to celebrate notable individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the building and construction industry. Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., President and CEO of the New York Building Congress hosted the event, which featured Governor Kathy Hochul and honored Lorraine Grillo, CEO of Bradford Construction Corp. of New York, a BRAVO Company, and Cyrus Izzo, President & CEO of Syska Hennessy Group.
At the luncheon, David Arena, Head of Global Corporate Real Estate at JPMorgan Chase, received the Jack and Lewis Rudin Award for Service to New York City to commemorate his incredible work to build our city and industry, including successfully orchestrating over $100 billion in commercial and capital investments. The New Highmark Stadium, a Gilbane-Turner Joint Venture and the new home of the Buffalo Bills, received the Building the Future Award. In presenting the award, Gov. Hochul praised the workers on the project, and how important it will be for the region. “I’m proud that keeping the Bills in Buffalo will be part of my legacy,” she said, noting her roots there, the gains the city has made of late, and the resilience of its residents. “I offered them a roof on this stadium, and they said no!”
The project is expected to create 10,000 union construction jobs for skilled tradespeople, including ironworkers, carpenters, electricians, and more. Beyond job creation, the stadium will boost the local economy and strengthen the region’s workforce.
“For more than 100 years, the Building Congress has championed policies that aim to grow and strengthen our industry,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., President and CEO of the New York Building Congress. “Without partners like our honorees, the amount of progress we’ve made over the past decades would not be possible. In addition to recent housing and transit infrastructure wins, our latest ‘Workforce Snapshot’ report reinforces something we’ve long known – this industry continues to be one of the most dependable pathways to the middle class for countless New Yorkers. That’s something worth celebrating.”
“The honorees we’re recognizing today represent the very best of what this industry has to offer,” said Building Congress Chair Gregory A. Kelly, President & CEO of STV. “Their vision, persistence, and drive inspire real progress, not just within their companies, but across the entire built environment. They don’t settle for status quo; they raise the bar. And that gives me great confidence in what lies ahead.”
Richard Cavallaro, Chief Executive Officer of LiRo-Hill, and Raymond Quartararo, Managing Director of JPMorgan Chase, served as the co-chairs of the luncheon. Gregory A. Kelly, P.E., President & CEO of STV, served as NYBC Chair.
###
About The New York Building Congress
The New York Building Congress, a broad-based membership association celebrating its 104th year, is committed to promoting the growth and success of the construction industry in New York City and its environs. Learn more about the New York Building Congress at www.buildingcongress.com.
