PWC National honors outstanding women at Salute to Women of Achievement luncheon

Calling the honorees "some of the most remarkable and accomplished women in the industry," Professional Women in Construction (PWC) National president Lenore Janis greeted the overflowing crowd of business leaders from the private and public sectors at the organization's annual Salute to Women of Achievement luncheon held May 19 at The Yale Club in New York City. Jan Keane, senior partner, Mitchell/Giurgola Architects noted that "good buildings don't happen without excellent clients" as she introduced the Professional Achievement honoree, Frances Huppert, FAIA, associate vice president Capital Project Management, Columbia University. Huppert spoke of her "long and rewarding journey," her work at some of the nation's most prestigious architectural firms and her valued participation in numerous public/private partnerships. At Columbia, Huppert is responsible for the adaptive reuse of and major renovations to existing buildings, infrastructure, and new building construction. At Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), she worked on such projects as the Jacob Javits Convention Center expansion and Moynihan Station redevelopment. Robert Chauvin, vice president of the northern operations for SimplexGrinnell, said that Career Achievement honoree Kay Lee, general sales manager for SimplexGrinnell's New York City district office has "had a tremendous impact in a very short time" and "has contributed to the community, the industry and the management level of SimplexGrinnell." Lee manages a business portfolio of well over $25 milion for the strategic sales growth of SimplexGrinnell's fire and life-safety protection business in the New York City metro area. A PWC board member, Lee noted that she "strongly supports PWC's mission." Jane Chmielinski, executive vice president and chief corporate officer (CCO) of AECOM Group and a former PWC honoree, praised the "business savvy" of Business Achievement winner Barbara Armand, president and CEO of Armand Corporation, saying that she has "taken her corporation to new heights every year." She spoke also of Armand's commitment to her staff and willingness to mentor newcomers to the industry. Armand said that "the gift of perserverance" has allowed her to succeed. The construction management firm she founded in 1991 has performed work for American Airlines International Terminal, JFK Airport; Brigantine Connector project (Atlantic City); and the Philadelphia School District Capital Improvement Program. Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA), a former PWC honoree, introduced Professional Achievement winner Maria Gomez, P.E., the director of Design Studio 3 at the NYC SCA. She praised Gomez's character, commitment, expertise in her field and deep sense of integrity. Gomez is in charge of the 120 in-house architects and engineers designing and reviewing the schools in the SCA's $13.1 billion five-year Capital Plan, which will include 26 schools - 14,000 new seats Citywide - set to open in 22 newly constructed buildings at the start of the 2009-10 school year. Photographs by Wechslerphotography.com