Manhattan, NY The New York Building Congress celebrated the outstanding achievements of three leaders for their vision and contributions to New York at its annual Industry Recognition Gala held December 7.

The gala this year was hosted by Building Congress president & CEO Carlo Scissura, Esq.; Building Congress chair and president of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions at Suffolk, Ralph Esposito; gala co-chairs Mike Sweeney, Eastern U.S. president at HNTB, and Elise Wagner, partner and co-chair of the land use department at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP; and journal chair Tony Mastrolia, vice president of project development at The Durst Organization.

“Our annual Industry Recognition Gala is a moment to celebrate the collective force of our friends and partners across the building sector, and to reflect on another year of growth across the five boroughs and beyond,” said Scissura. “We celebrate this year’s accomplishments, including major projects like the Gateway Program groundbreaking and the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 launch, all made possible by the dedicated men and women committed to this incredible city. We embrace the momentum propelling us into the new year, and together, will continue to make New York better for all.”

“Our members and supporters are essential partners in how we keep our industry thriving, and the Building Congress is grateful every year for the chance to celebrate their success,” said Esposito. “Serving as the Building Congress’ Chair has been an honor, as we continue to lead the building sector through a crucial moment in time. Whether it›s through pushing forward key infrastructure projects that benefit the region or sharing critical data and research that will help define policies that support our industry, we are proud to advocate alongside those we’re honoring today as some of the strongest voices  dedicated to strengthening New York today and for future generations.”

Over 800 attendees joined the NY Building Congress to represent the many sectors of New York’s construction, real estate and design industries at the New York Hilton in Midtown. In addition to the reception, dinner and program, the gala featured a Young Professionals afterparty hosted by co-chairs Nicholas Aragona, superintendent at Turner Construction and Jack Wong, project manager at Batska, where young talent in the industry could network.

The gala’s guests of honor included Richard Cavallaro, CEO at The LiRo Group; Raymond McGuire, member at Kauff McGuire & Margolis LLP and managing director of the Contractors’ Association of Greater New York, Inc. received special recognition. The Building New York Award was presented to Delta Air Lines.

Cavallaro was the guest of honor for his exemplary leadership and dedication to advancing the industry throughout his four-decade career. Having served in leadership positions, Cavallaro has applied his skills and experience at LiRo’s team to creating winning integrated construction, design and technology solutions. Cavallaro has led teams that earned national and industry recognition for successfully executing public-private partnerships, technology-driven infrastructure projects and transportation projects.

McGuire received special recognition for his outstanding contributions and commitment to the industry. Since 1981, he has led KM&M’s litigation practice in both federal and state courts, working on issues such as employment contracts and labor relations issues. He has also worked with multiple construction clients, such as the managing director of the Contractors’ Association of Greater New York, Inc. (CAGNY), as general counsel to the Association of Contracting Plumbers of Greater New York and as counsel to several construction industry benefit funds, including the New York City District Council of Carpenters funds.

Delta Air Lines was presented with the Building New York Award, a testament to their impact on the city’s development and their commitment to New York’s built environment. This past year, Delta announced a transformative partnership to accelerate its business and made headlines by distributing over $500 million in meaningful profit sharing to its 90,000 employees. Beyond its industry, Delta demonstrated its commitment to community well-being by repurposing real estate for safety during the pandemic. Delta also celebrated major milestones in airport infrastructure last year, as they debuted brand-new terminals at its New York hub at LaGuardia Airport, helping New Yorkers navigate and improving the transportation experience both on the ground and in the air.