Related Links: Pritzker Architecture Prize Biography of Frei Otto Architect Frei Otto, a pioneer in lightweight tensile structures, died on March 9 at age 89, soon after he learned he had won the prestigious 2015 Pritzker Architecture Prize.Otto, born in Siegmar, Germany, on May 31, 1925, was an "architect, visionary, utopian, ecologist, pioneer of lightweight materials, protector of natural resources and a generous collaborator with architects, engineers, biologists, among others," says the Pritzker Architecture Prize, in a release. Otto is the 40th laureate of the honor, sponsored by the Hyatt Foundation.OTTOIn engineering circles, Otto was best known for his innovative

RTD Former Denver transit manager now will run third-largest US system. Related Links: ENR Newsmaker citiation: Reaching Higher, Reaching Out on FasTracks Program Former MTA chief expected to be named head of Metrolink commuter rail Phillip A. Washington, general manager of Denver’s Regional Transportation District since 2009, will leave the agency to become CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the third-largest public transit system in the U.S., the L.A. agency said March 12. Washington has garnered national attention for taking over in 2009 what had been the district’s originally troubled $5.3-billion FasTracks transit construction program,

Photo by Tony Illia/ENR Brock gave a press conference at CONEXPO 2011, not long before he was diagnosed with cancer. Related Links: Smell of Green May Soon Replace Asphalt's Acrid Odor Warm-Mix Asphalt Heats Up In Construction Market J. Don Brock, chairman and former chief executive officer of Astec Industries Inc. died March 10 in Chattanooga, Tenn. He was 76 years old.For more than 40 years, Brock was the construction industry’s outspoken champion of hot-mix asphalt. In later years, he sought to make flexible pavements more environmentally friendly and recyclable.Brock—also known as Dr. Brock referring to his doctorate in mechanical

GreenTech Lead Non-compete restriction with firm Shaw buyer CB&I expires after two years. Related Links: Wood Group warns of further cuts over low oil price Former Shaw Group executives spearhead new $45M pipe fabrication facility Contractor Structure Tone Agrees to Pay $55 Million in Fraud Plea Global oil-and-gas services giant Wood Group plc has elevated Michele McNichol to CEO of its Houston engineering unit Wood Group Mustang Inc. Formerly executive vice president and president of its upstream business unit, she succeeds Steve Knowles, who will retire April 1, says the firm. Wood Group Mustang ranks at No. 17 on ENR’s

Related Links: Edmund Cranch Obituary-Worcester Polytechnic Institute CranchEdmund T. Cranch, 92, who served as dean of Cornell University's engineering school in the 1970s, became president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass., and was a well-known education consultant in the private and public sectors, died on Feb. 4 in Florida, says WPI.Cranch oversaw extensive campus expansion during his 1978-1985 tenure at WPI, and doubled its revenue and endowment, the school adds.He later was president of the American Society for Engineering Education, of which he was named a fellow in 1993. Cranch was also a fellow of the American Society of

Della RoccaMichael Della Rocca has joined consultant McKinsey & Co. as a partner in its global infrastructure practice. Based in Philadelphia, he leads its megaprojects service line, the firm confirms to ENR.Della Rocca had been Americas CEO for AECOM and also was regional managing director in North America for U.K.-based Halcrow.Tutor Perini Corp., Sylmar, Calif., has elevated James A. "Jack" Frost to president and chief operating officer. He was executive vice president and CEO of the contractor's civil group since 2008. As president and a corporate director, Frost succeeds Robert Band, who becomes executive vice president for Perini management services.Burns

Related Links: IBI Gruzen Samton website   GruzenJordan Gruzen devoted himself to urban architecture in and around New York City. He died on Jan. 27 from cancer. He was 80. In the early 1960s, Gruzen and his college classmate Peter Samton joined Kelly & Gruzen, founded by Gruzen's father in 1936. Gruzen and Samton became partners in 1967. In 2009, Gruzen Samton merged with the nearly 2,800-person IBI Group and is now known as IBI Group-Gruzen Samton. The 50-person New York City office has a portfolio that includes schools, colleges, dormitories, courthouses, transportation terminals, residential complexes, facilities for the elderly

Mortenson Third generation now leads $2.5-billion family owned Minneapolis contractor David Mortenson has been elevated to chairman of M.A. Mortenson Construction Co., as part of the family-owned Minneapolis building contracting giant's planned succession. His father, M. A. “Mort” Mortenson Jr., who was in the role since 1976, now is chairman emeritus. Formerly president, David Mortenson joined the firm in 1991 and was project director of the landmark Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Tom Gunkel remains CEO, and former Chief Operating Officer Dan Johnson is president. Tom Wacker is elevated to COO from senior vice president. Mortenson has 3,800

Related Links: Visionary engineer invests in Northeastern again, expands leadership program National Academy of Engineering-Gordon Prize website   KalavritinosJack Kalavritinos will join the national ACE Mentor Program as CEO, as of Feb. 1. The Washington, D.C.-based group links professionals in architecture, engineering and construction with high-school students who are mentored to pursue STEM academic courses and industry careers. Kalavritinos was global government affairs director at Covidien, a health-care products firm. ACE's 67 U.S. chapters now have 2,200 mentors, who have worked with almost 8,000 students.New York City-based engineer STV has hired Jon Miller as executive vice president and head of

Related Links: Website of Olsson Associates, Lincoln, Neb. Geotech Engineer Leland Walker, ASCE President and 1960s ENR AwardeeLeland J. Walker, who led efforts beginning in the 1960s to raise engineering education standards and boost the influence and image of civil engineers through industry group collaboration, died on Dec. 31. He was 91.WalkerThe founder of a predecessor of geotech engineer Northern Engineering and Testing, he was the first in that sector to become president, in 1977. of the American Society of Civil Engineers. According to ASCE, he helped spearhead formation of what would become the American Association of Engineering Societies "to