On March 2-3, ENR gathered policymakers, scientists and construction industry leaders to brainstorm about how to direct national attention to disaster mitigation. One week later, those conference presentations took on a greater significance in light of the catastrophic events in Japan. “We have less latitude to withstand disasters than we ever have had in our history,” suggested John Voeller, vice president of engineer Black & Veatch, in a video made at the conference and now appearing on ENR.com. Shot by Senior Editor Tom Sawyer and edited by Assistant Editor Luke Abaffy, the video highlights discussions about how disasters can be
It felt like the Oscars. Five times when the announcer said, “The envelope please,” the winner was Engineering News-Record. It was an exhilarating afternoon at American Business Media’s Jesse H. Neal Awards, held March 10 in New York City. Photo: Sue Pearsall Winning Team members include: (from left, first row) Aileen Cho, Jane Kolleeny, Joanne Gonchar, Francesca Messina, Laurie Meisel, Tom Sawyer; (second row) Richard Korman, Scott Lewis, Richard Demler, Bill Hanley and Alanna Malone. In addition, ENR’s sister publication GreenSource won a Neal for Best Integrated Package for “GreenBuild Chicago: Transforming the Metropolis” and its managing editor Jane Kolleeny
Photo: AP/Wideworld div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" When ENR Southeast Region Editor Scott Judy heard about the illegal workers who were found hidden at a Florida Veteran’s Administration hospital project, he reacted to news reports by blogging, “These illegal workers were found hidden in a portion of the emerging facility’s roof, behind some scaffolding, in a place where they couldn’t get out without someone else’s help. Let that sink in. Wow.” Apparently, it did sink in, eliciting numerous replies. Our viewer’s comments ran the gamut from cynical (“What’s the difference between illegal workers and the AIG bailout?” says one)
Timing is everything. While writing this week’s cover story about the three amazing tunneling jobs that will expand New York City’s subway system, ENR Senior Editor Aileen Cho took a few hours away from work to attend a gathering of tunneling intelligentsia. Photo: Matthew Mauro Bloomberg praised The Moles’ role in the life of the city. CHO She was a guest at The Moles annual awards dinner on Jan. 26, when almost 2,000 heavy-construction experts gathered to honor leading executives Robert E. Alger, CEO of Lane Construction, and Peter O. Shea, executive vice president at J.F. Shea Co. Inc. In
A Matter of Oversight We applaud the selection of Joe Collins as one of ENR’s 2010 “Top Newsmakers” (“Hoisting Hero Sent Clear Message to Industry When Voting for Higher Safety,” 1/12/2011) for his vote of conscience during negotiations that ultimately led to inclusion of third-party certification for crane operators in OSHA’s 2010 Crane and Derrick Standard. It was Joe’s knowledge and integrity that led to his nomination to represent the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) on the negotiated rule making committee. However, as someone who was involved in the entire process, I take umbrage with ENR’s assertion that
Credit Due For Design Of ‘Clouds’ and ‘Sails’ Regarding the recent article “No Walk On the Beach”, it should be noted that, in the New World Symphony's performance hall in Miami, Mayer Structural Design provided the light-gauge-metal structural design and geometry layout of the primary framing members for all the components, including the structural steel brackets and fittings, that make up the “sails,” “clouds” and high-ceiling acoustical panels. Mayer also developed the concept and designed the threaded rod-and-hanger system used to support the box beams that support the cloud and high-ceiling-panel joists. The firm also developed the concept of the
In addition to the amazing photo contest image, ENR has a new touch on the magazine’s cover this week. Our logo has been refined and our tagline updated to keep current with our digital transformation. ENR now delivers news to subscribers via electronic news alerts 365 days a year—not just once week —and on our website 24/7. Our print magazine, published 36 times a year, is “the construction resource” of the industry for analysis, data and commentary in addition to news. Photo: Sue Pearsall For ENR (From left) Joanne Foulke, Ted Keller, Debra Rubin, Richard Demler and Tom Sawyer reviewed
BONINGTON As we enter 2011, we’re seeing a distinct sign of a market recovery. It’s not a large spike in one of the traditional measurements such as consistent GDP growth, dramatically shrinking unemployment or improvement in construction starts. But it is still an important harbinger of growth. Industry marketers are telling ENR’s business team that they are preparing to emerge into a different market, under new terms of engagement and in a dramatically changed competitive landscape. AEC firms, product manufacturers and technology, equipment and service providers are now actively speaking to us about construction’s inevitable economic recovery. They’re talking about
Recognition from leaders in the construction industry is particularly gratifying. I am delighted to share the news that, on Oct. 28, I was inducted into the National Academy of Construction, a group of industry leaders recognized for outstanding achievements in and contributions to engineering and construction. The academy provides a body of industry experts who can be and have been asked to serve on governmental committees and work on investigations and reports. It also sponsors a program called the National Construction Forum, which works to identify major industrywide issues and integrate the efforts of industry groups who are working on
Are We Stuck in 1980? I looked at that chart of women in construction, and something snapped in me. This is not 1980; it’s 2010. So I sent the link to my friends in the Maine Society of Women Engineers, the local high school guidance office, the carpentry teacher at the vocational school, the dean of engineering at the University of Maine and others. I put it on Facebook and LinkedIn. So, thank you for your interesting and informative chart, and I’ve spread it around for you. I don’t think I’m done being mad about it. Helen C. Watts PrincipalHelen