Charles H. Thornton and Richard L. Tomasetti, founding principals of Thornton Tomasetti, New York, have received the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat's 2012 Fazlur R. Khan Lifetime Achievement Award for their collective contribution to the advancement of buildings.

 

Gran

Warren W. Gran, partner at GranKriegel Associates, New York, has announced that he will be launching a new firm by the fourth quarter, ending his partnership with GranKriegel.

Hill International, Marlton, N.J., has promoted Shawn L. Pressley to senior vice president and chief information officer. He previously served as the firm's vice president of information technology. In his new role, Pressley will be responsible for managing Hill's information technology systems and software worldwide.

Horizon Engineering Associates, Hauppauge, N.Y., has hired Daniel Watson as director of field services. Hewill manage, support and provide direction and leadership to engineers within the firm's New York City and Long Island offices.

Stalco Construction, Islandia, N.Y., has promoted Scott Pavick to chief estimator. Pavick previously served as senior estimator. Pavick will be responsible for developing cost estimates and budgets, value engineering, and subcontractor bid evaluation and negotiations. He also heads Stalco's pre-engineered design-build division, Stalco International Group, which develops pre-engineered structures in collaboration with Varco Pruden Buildings, Memphis, Tenn.

Matthew Aracich, former financial secretary with the Heat and Frost Insulators, Local Union No. 12, has been named as the union's new business manager. His work will include implementing a business plan to promote job growth and new legislation affecting the mechanical and insulation industry.

SBLM Architects, New York, has recently opened a new office in Huntington Station, N.Y.

Erik A. Ortmann has been named partner of Goldberg & Connolly, Rockville Centre, N.Y. Ortmann focuses his practice on construction law and commercial litigation.

 

Kolakowski

Mike Kolakowski, president and CEO of KBE Building Corp., Farmington, Conn., has received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Wallingford Education Foundation for the Kolakowski family's support with the Wallingford and Meriden, Conn., public school systems. Last year marked the 20th year that the Henry S. Kolakowski Jr. Memorial Fund raised money for high school students.

Arup, New York, is now certified as a special inspection agency in New York City and can provide these services for wall panels, curtain walls and veneers as required by the city's building code.

Robert S. Peckar, founding partner of Peckar & Abramson PC, New York, has been named global construction lawyer of the year as part of the 2012 Who's Who Legal Awards.

MaxLite, West Caldwell, N.J., has appointed Jim Wang to product marketing manager. He will report directly to Pat Treadway, director of product marketing.

 

Freeman

Hunter Roberts Construction Group, New York, has hired Jenny Freeman as vice president, project executive and director of health care.

Buro Happold, New York, has hired Neil Porto as principal.

Jack Kocsis Jr., CEO of Associated General Contractors of New Jersey and Building Contractors Association of New Jersey, was presented with a leadership award from the Newark Regional Business Partnership for his efforts through AGC of NJ in promoting transportation in New Jersey.

John Shreve Arbuckle, New York business development manager for Hoffman Architects, has been elected president of the New York/Tri-State Chapter of DOCOMOMO US, a working group of the Documentation and Conservation of Buildings, Sites and Neighborhoods of the Modern Movement. The group is an international body focused on the protection of modern architecture. As chapter president, Arbuckle will guide and oversee the organization's efforts on behalf of modern buildings and sites. He will also be the group's main spokesman.

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc., New York, has hired Eric Hammarberg as associate principal. He has experience ranging from hands-on construction and craftsman to designer and project manager for historic and preservation projects including facade restoration of the Chrysler Building.

 

Fells

Spector Group, New York, has hired Jeff Fells as director of business development. In this newly created role, Fells will identify and secure revenue-generating opportunities, cultivate real estate and corporate end-user relationships, and represent the firm at events.