Professional Women in Construction (PWC) has appointed Nicole Hunter, senior cost engineer for the World Trade Center construction project with The Louis Berger Group, to its board of directors. On the WTC project, Hunter oversees the cost controls and monthly status reporting for the vehicular security center, east basement tour bus parking and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church; tracks and forecasts escalation rates; and conducts cost-sharing negotiations with other stakeholders. She has more than 20 years of experience on multimillion-to billion-dollar infrastructure projects and has been on the PWC committee of The Louis Berger Group for the past year. Hunt's work portfolio includes financial and progress reporting on projects such as the Amtrak 1st Avenue Ventilation Shafts Rehabilitation project and the East Side Access project. 

Hunter

VOA Architecture PLLC, New York, has hired Brian J. McFarland as a principal. McFarland has more than 25 years of experience as an architect, having designed a variety of building types in markets including multifamily residential, higher education and religious institutions. Prior to joining VOA, McFarland was an associate principal at Cetra Ruddy.

Montroy Andersen DeMarco (MADGI), New York, has hired Marvin H. Meltzer as a principal. In his new role, Meltzer will expand the firm's residential and mixed-use new buildings studio and support its commercial, office, market repositioning, hospitality, retail and landlord services practices.

Allen Kasden, vice president and operations manager, Plaza Construction, New York, is retiring at the start of the new year. His career in the construction industry has spanned 43 years, and he has overseen some of New York City's most prestigious projects. These include the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Fulton Street Transit Center and Gateway Center at the Bronx Terminal Market.

Muss Development LLC, New York, has hired William Bergman as vice president of leasing. In his new role, Bergman will assist in overseeing leasing efforts for the developer's retail and office properties.

Peltier

Cerami Associates has hired Christopher A. Peltier as associate principal. In his new capacity, Peltier will consult on projects that include buildings at Hudson Yards and the new headquarters for a major software company. Peltier's experience includes projects in mixed-use, residential and commercial properties, laboratories, convention centers, performing arts centers, corporate offices, fitness centers and educational facilities. He has also worked on product development spaces for West Coast-based technology companies and has several published journal articles.

 

The Subcontractors Trade Association (STA) has selected Hank Kita to serve as executive director following the retirement of past executive Ron Berger. Previously, Kita served as senior vice president to the Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA), which represents 27 trade associations with a membership of about 1,700 unionized contractors. Kita managed BTEA's initiatives in safety, grant development, minority and women-owned business enterprises as well as educational programs. He also coordinated developments between the BTEA and the New York City Dept. of Buildings, the New York City Fire Dept. and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

WSP USA, New York, has hired David Koren as vice president and director of marketing and communications. Prior to joining WSP, Koren spent six years at Perkins Eastman, where he served as associate principal and director of marketing. He is the author of "The Architect's Essentials of Marketing," a basic guide to marketing for architects that is endorsed by the American Institute of Architects. In his new role, Koren will work to ensure that the marketing and communications personnel working across the buildings, transportation and environmental service lines work together as a cohesive team.

 

Schirripa

The New York Building Congress has honored Anthony Schirripa, chairman and CEO of Mancini Duffy/TSC, for his service to the city and the industry at its 2013 Industry Recognition Dinner held on Nov. 12 at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan.

Other honorees recognized at this year's dinner included Gail Grimmett, senior vice president of Delta Air Lines; J. Robert Mann Jr. and Anthony E. Mann of E-J Electric Installation Co.; and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, represented by executive director Patrick J. Foye.

HNTB has promoted Greg LeFrois to vice chairman of the firm's toll market sector from vice president and fellow vice chairman of toll services. In his new role, he will focus on market growth, client relationships and brand awareness on a national basis. LeFrois will also work closely with HNTB division leadership to further strengthen the firm's toll market position in each division and across other market sectors. LeFrois has more than 34 years of experience in planning, design, engineering, technology and operations for toll roads, toll bridges and priced managed lanes. LeFrois, who is based in HNTB's Parsippany, N.J., office, was also a judge for ENR New York's 2013 Best Projects competition.

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has hired Nigel Light as a vice president with its project and development services group. He will be based out of the firm's Stamford, Conn., office and will lead the quantity surveying and cost-management team in the Northeast. He will also support the growth of JLL's project management efforts in the higher education, retail, health care, corporate interiors, infrastructure and critical systems sectors. Previously, Light served as preconstruction manager for KBE Building Corp.

 

Doebley

Thornton Tomasetti has hired Carl Doebley as senior vice president. Doebley has 30 years of experience as a historic preservation specialist and will split his time between the firm's New York City and Philadelphia offices, providing historic preservation and exterior envelope services across the Eastern U.S.