Alan Margolin & Associates
New York, NY Andrew Borek is an owner and managing partner at Alan Margolin & Associates, where, with his business partner and firm’s Director, Young Suh, they’ve quickly grown the organization into a leading New York engineering firm focused on Special Inspections. Today, the firm performs inspection and testing services for billions of dollars in construction throughout the New York metro area. As he provides these niche services within the construction industry, his emphasis is focused on dedication to the safety of life and property.
Founded originally as a MEP design firm in 1981 by Alan Margolin, Borek and Suh succeeded Margolin in 2013. With a strong background in construction, Margolin’s knowledge and experience aided and facilitated the early successes of the company. Under Borek’s guidance, the firm has expanded to provide a full range of Special Inspection services as a Class One accredited agency, has introduced an extensive range of services, and has grown fivefold.
Borek grew up in the New York metro area and developed an affinity for architecture and engineering at a young age. His father is a local developer and by the age of four he was in a hard hat walking job sites at his father’s side. By 16, he was working for a large infrastructure contractor assisting in operation and sales at the company’s asphalt plant. To further this passion, Borek attended the Tulane School of Architecture, where he received his bachelors and masters degrees in Architecture. In 2004, he started his career at Sawyer | Berson Architecture & Landscape Architecture, LLP where he was quickly exposed to high profile clients with demanding requirements for quality and scheduling.
Less than two years after graduation, Borek was hired by prestigious Peter Marino Architect as the youngest architectural designer of the office at the time. There, he worked on domestic and international projects encompassing commercial, residential, retail, hospitality, and cultural institutions. He had the opportunity to collaborate on high-end projects, including several Dior Stores, the Sky Villas at MGM City Center Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, porcelain galleries of the Zwinger Palace in Dresden, Sotheby’s Auction House London, and several private residences across the nation including Palm Beach, Montecito, New York City, and internationally in Milan, and London. These projects ranged from $10 million to $250 million in value and were commissioned by celebrities, heads of state, and global business leaders, exposing him to the highest level of service, quality, and design.
high strength bolting inspection for the antenna atop 1 World Trade Center.
With a desire to further his experience, after several years at Marino’s office, Borek left to join his father’s development firm where he led the design build and project management division. During this transition, he sat for his remaining architecture licensing exams and became a Registered Architect in the states of New York and New Jersey as well as a LEED certified professional. Heading several projects throughout the tri-state area, he was heavily involved in planning, zoning, code, and environmental matters exposing him to a myriad of municipal entities. From these formative experiences, moving to head a special inspection engineering firm catering to global institutions and the largest landowners in New York City was a natural fit.
When Borek joined Alan Margolin & Associates in 2013, he hit the ground running and immediately began working to modernize and streamline the then thirty-year-old engineering firm. He was eager to reestablish the organization for newfound growth, agility, and expanded services, and did so by introducing customized software, fully upgrading the firm’s technology infrastructure, implementing new operating procedures, enhancing the employees’ benefits structure, and retraining the entire team. These efforts showed fast results and in less than a year the firm had significantly grown and Borek was able to relocate the group to much larger office space. Under Borek and his partner Suh’s guidance, each staff member has been trained and educated to fully understand construction in NYC and all processes that are involved. Borek is constantly encouraging employees to pursue continued education and he has helped create an office culture where all individuals feel supported. He has cultivated a work environment where the employees are empowered to contribute ideas and suggestions for more efficient practices. In doing this, he and Suh have built an indispensable team that is responsible for the further development of the firm and the services that the firm provides. Borek has assembled a dynamic, qualified, and diverse group of people who each bring their own perspective and skill set to enhance the team. “I am confident that our clients find each member of our team maintains complete professionalism and dedication and that we operate under the highest level of industry standards,” said Borek.
To expand their Class One abilities as an inspection provider, the partners worked closely with the International accreditation service to include 42 class one inspection items. They additionally introduced the firm to a suite of non-destructive testing services as well as a material testing laboratory. With these newfound capabilities, he was able to expand AMAA’s project portfolio to include high rise new building construction, additions, and renovations of existing buildings, ranging from 100 s/f to hundreds of thousands of s/f. Borek and his team have continually cultivated strong relationships in the industry, allowing the firm to provide services successfully to many large institutions and clients who own and manage over 500 million s/f of space in New York City.
Today as managing partner, Borek leads and oversees the firm, heads business development, implements the firm’s strategies and expansion of services, and is intimately involved with the day-to-day operations. By working closely with his staff, he is able to ensure that all processes are running smoothly and all parties involved are satisfied with the services provided. To guarantee that each project receives equal and active attention, he acutely analyzes all methods and procedures and utilizes a modernized reporting and project management system that he built and implemented. He has guided the expansion of AMAA’s project portfolio, by building relationships with property managers, property owners, expeditors, engineers, and architects in both the private and public sector. The firm has provided, and is currently providing, services to some of the superstructures enhancing New York City’s skyline today. These projects include 106 West 56th St., 110 University Place, 40 Tenth Ave.’s Solar Carve Tower, 46-74 Gansevoort St., SL Green’s 185 Broadway and the World Trade Center.
Having spent much of his life and career in New York City, Borek considers himself extremely fortunate to have been able to witness and be part of the extended renewal and furtherance of the city’s growth and development. Referring to the growing density and super tall structures adding to the city’s skyline, Borek said, “It has been remarkable experiencing this point in the city’s evolution. With rezoning, technological development, and sheer ingenuity, it seems anything is possible.”
Borek and his team continue to elevate the standard for Special Inspections through constant innovation, technology, and communication. He has shown commitment and dedication to every decision made for the company and in doing so has furthered the Alan Margolin & Associates almost 40-year legacy. Under his leadership, AMAA will continue to evolve and expand its services as Borek is constantly searching for new opportunities to improve the services provided to his clients.
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