PWC holds first-ever Buildings & Infrastructure Seminar; Moderated by Cho of Engineering News-Record

Speakers and moderator at PWC’s Buildings & Infrastructure Seminar. Shown seated (from left) are: Susan Walter, senior principal, Stantec; Gerrard Bushell, president & CEO, DASNY; Maria Torres-Springer, president & CEO, NYC EDC; Samara Barend, senior VP, AECOM Capital; and Stephanie Dawson, COO, PANYNJ. Shown standing (from left) are: Chelsea LeMar, exec. dir., PWC; Aileen Cho, senior editor, ENR; Barbara Armand, president of PWC & president of Armand Corp.

New York, NY The potential for private investment to greatly enhance productivity in terms of time, cost and overall efficiency in critically needed public infrastructure projects was chief among the topics addressed at Professional Women in Construction (PWC)’s first-ever Buildings & Infrastructure Seminar. The event was hosted by PWC executive director Chelsea LeMar and PWC president Barbara Armand, president of Armand Corp. at 3 West Club in November. Aileen Cho, senior transportation editor with Engineering News-Record (ENR), moderated.

Maria Torres-Springer, the first woman president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corp. (NYC EDC) who has pledged her commitment to inclusivity, noted that the EDC manages 200 city properties totaling approximately 60 million s/f and a $5 billion capital budget. Gerrard Bushell, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Dormitory Authority State of New York (DASNY), explained that DASNY is responsible for the state’s social infrastructure and noted his commitment to make the Authority competitive, nimble and client-focused. Stephanie Dawson, acting COO, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), spoke of PANYNJ’s $27 billion ten-year Capital Plan and focus on keeping transportation infrastructure facilities modern, resilient and in a state of good repair. Samara Barend, senior VP and public private partnership (PPP) development director with AECOM Capital, called for changes at the federal level to speed financing and help the economy’s flow. Susan Walter, senior principal at Stantec, stressed the need for creative and alternative design solutions and noted that vibrant infrastructure creates vibrant communities. Each speaker detailed strong WMBE participation goals.

For information on PWC and upcoming events: www.pwcusa.org; [email protected] or call 212.486.7745.

Rose Davis, S.J. Edwards, Inc.; Michael Anza, Colonial Life and Accident; ?Sharon Davis, S.J. Edwards, Inc.

Jessica Bayuk, Connie Trinh and Janice Chu, Stantec

Olga Vinogradova, Esq.; Deborah Bailey, Electric Fixx Inc.

Samuel Vinicur, Siemens Security; Florence Chilton, Florence Construction Corp.; and Margaret Milnamow, Siemens

Denis Boylan, Gilbane Building Co.; Barbara Armand, president PWC and Armand Corp.; and William Ayers, Total Safety Consulting

Ron Roemer, Kay Lee, and David Walton, Tyco SimplexGrinnell

Eileen Weingarten, Forest City Ratner; and Carmine Jacobsen, Stantec

Nicole Hunter, HNTB; and Allison Agliardo, AECOM 

Eric Cohen, Esq.; Theodore Ucinski, Esq.; and Ellen Greiper, Esq., Goldberg Segalla

Chelsea LeMar, PWC; and Paul Hoffmann, HAKS

Chelsea LeMar, PWC; Thomas Byrne, Thornton Tomasetti; Olga Vinogradova, Esq.

PWC board members: Maria Wilpon, Stantec; Kay Lee, TYCO SimplexGrinnell; Nicole Hunter, HNTB; Chelsea LeMar, exec. dir., PWC; Barbara Armand, pres. PWC and Armand Corp.; Nancy Czesak, VP PWC, and with Tishman, an AECOM Company; Florence Chilton, Florence Construction Co.