According to Merritt & Harris, Inc., a 72-year-old construction consulting firm with headquarters in New York City, Manny Kratsios has been appointed its president and chief executive officer, effective January 1. Kratsios succeeds Thomas Richard, AIA, who has served as president and CEO since 1996. Richard will remain with the firm as a principal, a member of the board of directors, and as the director of marketing. Kratsios holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Columbia University and a masters of Business Administration degree from St. Johns University. He joined Merritt & Harris, Inc. as a project manager in 1984 and was promoted to head the firm's construction monitoring division in 1990. In 2007, Kratsios was appointed chief operating officer in anticipation of his eventual promotion to president and CEO. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Association of MBA Executives, and the Stadium Managers Association. "Manny is ideally suited by temperament, training, and professional knowledge to lead our firm," said Richard. "He is held in high regard by our clients and staff alike and has been a valued friend for many years."