New York Building Congress names Kellyof STV as chair, Velez of Velez Org. as building foundation chair board of directors class of 2026 members

Manhattan, NY At the annual membership meeting & construction industry luncheon, the New York Building Congress welcomed STV president and chief executive officer Gregory Kelly as chair, and Velez Organization president and principal Elizabeth Velez as building foundation chair, as well as new members to its board of directors’ class of 2026, its 2026 Emeriti, and acknowledged four retirements. Kelly replaces Ralph Esposito of Suffolk after a two-year term as chair. Velez replaces McKissack & McKissack’s Cheryl McKissack Daniel after a three-year term as foundation chair.

“Greg Kelly is an outstanding leader, and the Building Congress team is delighted to extend a warm welcome to him as the Building Congress Chair,” said Carlo Scissura, Esq., president & CEO of the New York Building Congress. “With a seasoned track record in the industry, Greg has showcased a remarkable talent for steering firms toward their strategic objectives. His extensive experience in construction management services for transportation systems, infrastructure, and buildings is set to make a significant contribution to the New York Building Congress and our overarching goals. We look forward to working with Greg in building a prosperous future for New York.”

“Our strategic plan is clear: We must lead the building industry towards a more equitable, prosperous, and resilient future in New York and beyond,” Kelly said at the luncheon. “And we must do that by advocating for policies that strengthen New York’s built environment and focus on economic development, infrastructure development, professional development and job creation.”

“Elizabeth has been a true force in the building industry, and a valuable partner and resource for the New York Building Congress even beyond her tenure as chair,” said Scissura. “With a stacked resume and work on over two hundred billion dollars of educational, healthcare, and large-scale projects throughout New York, we are excited to work with Elizabeth again and welcome her back as chair for the New York Building Foundation.”

In addition, the organization installed the directors in the class of 2026:

• Vincent Alvarez, New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

• Mike Braun, Kasirer#

• Linda Chiarelli, New York University

• Patrick Cooper, BXP

• Elizabeth Crowley, Building Trades Employers’ Association

• Peter DiMaggio, Thornton Tomasetti

• Ralph Esposito, Suffolk

• Guy Geier, FXCollaborative

• Eli Khoury, HDR, Inc.

• Gary LaBarbera, Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York

• Christopher Larsen, Halmar International

• Peter Marchetto, AECOM

• Nicole Martin, HNTB#

• Christopher McCartin, Tishman Speyer

• Joseph Moscola, Northwell Health

• Patricia Ornst, Delta Air Lines

• Eleftherios Pittas, Tishman Speyer#

• Jonathan Resnick, Jack Resnick & Sons, Inc.

• Raymond Quartararo, JPMC

• Ehab Shehata, BRAVO Group

• Steven Sommer, LendLease

• Jennifer Stone, RAMSA

• (#Young Professionals Liaison)

Class of 2026 Emeriti

• Joseph Aliotta, Perkins Eastman

• Louis Coletti, Lou Coletti Strategies*

• Susan Hayes, Susan Hayes Enterprises

• Maureen Henegan

• Sabrina Kanner

• Lawrence Roman, Lawrence P. Roman Consultants

• Frank Sciame, Sciame Construction LLC *

(*Past chair or president)

New Directors

• Rachel Birnboim, AIA, Leed AP BD+C, Co-Managing Principal, Perkins Eastman

• Mike Braun, Chief Strategy Officer, Kasirer

• Guy Geier, FAIA, FIIDA, LEED AP, FXCollaborative, Managing Partner

• Michael Giaramita, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Principal, Group PMX, LLC

• Nicole Martin, Deputy Project Manager- Contracts, HNTB

• Joseph Moscola, PA, MBA, Executive Vice President, Northwell Health

• Eleftherios Pittas, PE, Senior Director, Tishman Speyer.