ENR's Top 25 Newsmakers - The construction industry is filled with amazing leadership—people with the passion, drive and courage to tackle the most difficult challenges and make our world a better place. At the end of every year since 1964, Engineering News-Record editors look through the stories that have appeared in ENR and select individuals for special recognition. https://www.enr.com/rss/1026 en-us choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) When McCarthy Building Cos. won the $57-million job to demolish a failed dock structure and build a new general cargo dock at the Port of Beaumont, Texas, “we were surprised,” says senior project manager Robert Wood. When McCarthy Building Cos. won the $57-million job to demolish a failed dock structure and build a new general cargo dock at the Port of Beaumont, Texas, “we were surprised,” says senior project manager Robert Wood.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60186 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60186-robert-wood-leading-the-task-of-removing-old-dock-structures-safely-despite-challenges choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) When Pranaya Shrestha’s father immigrated to the United States from Nepal in 1976, he sacrificed a prestigious government position and worked seven days a week operating a grocery store in Minnesota. When Pranaya Shrestha’s father immigrated to the United States from Nepal in 1976, he sacrificed a prestigious government position and worked seven days a week operating a grocery store in Minnesota.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60184 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60184-pranaya-shrestha-brought-caltrains-2-billion-electrification-project-to-completion yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) Many contractors today require workers to wear helmets with anti-concussion technology to protect against side, back and front head impacts, as opposed to hardhats that only shield against impacts from above. Many contractors today require workers to wear helmets with anti-concussion technology to protect against side, back and front head impacts, as opposed to hardhats that only shield against impacts from above.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60183 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60183-seth-randall-regional-safety-director-at-clark-construction-rolled-out-an-anti-concussion-helmet-program Complex, time-sensitive assignments are nothing new to Col. Estee S. Pinchasin. Complex, time-sensitive assignments are nothing new to Col. Estee S. Pinchasin.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60182 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60182-col-estee-s-pinchasin-francis-scott-key-bridge-collapse-response-showcases-leadership-teamwork blairs@enr.com (Scott Blair) Mark Pestrella wasn’t born with a passion for public service, but, as in a proverbial coming-of-age story, fire transformed him at the age of 17. Mark Pestrella wasn’t born with a passion for public service, but, as in a proverbial coming-of-age story, fire transformed him at the age of 17.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60181 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60181-mark-pestrella-originated-infrastructurela-group-to-boost-project-coordination-maximize-funding-and-prep-for-calamities choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) The InQuik Group is all in the family. Logan Mullaney began working for his father Bruce at a young age, learning carpentry and other construction skills. The InQuik Group is all in the family. Logan Mullaney began working for his father Bruce at a young age, learning carpentry and other construction skills.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60180 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60180-logan-mullaney-introducing-a-family-developed-innovative-semi-modular-bridge-system-to-north-america-and-the-world mcfarlandp@enr.com (Pam McFarland) Marjorie Mayfield Jackson so loved the Elizabeth River, which she could see from the back porch of her home near Norfolk, Va., that she quit a successful career as a newspaper reporter in 1991 to save it. Marjorie Mayfield Jackson so loved the Elizabeth River, which she could see from the back porch of her home near Norfolk, Va., that she quit a successful career as a newspaper reporter in 1991 to save it.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60179 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60179-marjorie-mayfield-jackson-non-profit-founder-used-a-collaborative-approach-to-address-river-pollution-and-sea-level-rise Around 2009, Denver Water’s capital plan was packed with upcoming work. Major projects—including the Gross Reservoir Expansion, Northwater Treatment Plant and lead pipe replacements—threatened to overwhelm the utility’s engineering department. Around 2009, Denver Water’s capital plan was packed with upcoming work. Major projects—including the Gross Reservoir Expansion, Northwater Treatment Plant and lead pipe replacements—threatened to overwhelm the utility’s engineering department.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60178 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60178-robert-j-mahoney-denver-waters-chief-engineering-officer-leads-an-ongoing-effort-to-update-standards choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) While studying at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Tommy Linstroth began noticing that the forests he had played in growing up in were disappearing, overtaken by urban sprawl. While studying at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Tommy Linstroth began noticing that the forests he had played in growing up in were disappearing, overtaken by urban sprawl.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60177 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60177-tommy-linstroth-accelerating-environmentally-responsible-construction-with-technology-that-automates-and-reports-metrics yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) Artificial intelligence is already changing construction, but one of the most adopted uses of the technology comes from Document Crunch Artificial intelligence is already changing construction, but one of the most adopted uses of the technology comes from Document Crunch

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60176 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60176-josh-levy-using-artificial-intelligence-to-revolutionize-document-review tuchmanj@enr.com (Janice L. Tuchman) Over more than 50 years in construction, Anthony F. Leketa points to several “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunities. Over more than 50 years in construction, Anthony F. Leketa points to several “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunities.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60175 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60175-anthony-f-leketa-boosting-safety-culture-education-in-university-engineering-and-construction-programs-around-the-us choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) The journey to founding the Concrete Preservation Institute Foundation was fueled by CEO Tanya Wattenburg Komas “following my passions every step of the way.” The journey to founding the Concrete Preservation Institute Foundation was fueled by CEO Tanya Wattenburg Komas “following my passions every step of the way.”

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60174 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60174-tanya-w-komas-founding-a-program-that-speeds-active-military-members-transition-to-civilian-life-and-construction-careers rubind@enr.com (Debra K. Rubin) Mateo Jaramillo, co-founder and CEO of long-duration battery storage innovator Form Energy, hit the trifecta last year: completing its first factory in West Virginia with plans to expand this year; getting its first U.S. commercial system installations under way; and gaining an eye-catching $405 million in a private funding round. Mateo Jaramillo, co-founder and CEO of long-duration battery storage innovator Form Energy, hit the trifecta last year: completing its first factory in West Virginia with plans to expand this year; getting its first U.S. commercial system installations under way; and gaining an eye-catching $405 million in a private funding round.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60173 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60173-mateo-jaramillo-innovator-reimagines-abandoned-west-virginia-steel-mill-site-for-battery-production postn@enr.com (Nadine M. Post) With only his shovel and a squeegee for company, Tony Ingram cut a lonely figure after hours one night last spring, as he cleared runoff from a torrential rain that had turned a section of the rear entrance of the 1,100-acre Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa., into a mud flat. With only his shovel and a squeegee for company, Tony Ingram cut a lonely figure after hours one night last spring, as he cleared runoff from a torrential rain that had turned a section of the rear entrance of the 1,100-acre Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa., into a mud flat.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60172 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60172-tony-ingram-at-unique-complicated-and-diverse-longwood-reimagined-job-no-task-is-too-big-or-too-small-for-bancrofts-senior-project-manager rubind@enr.com (Debra K. Rubin) Dominion Energy engineer keeps construction of the country’s largest offshore wind energy project—a novel $10-billion, 178-turbine effort off the Virginia coast on track to finish by the end of 2026—demonstrating clean energy's critical role in generating needed power and in confronting US climate change impacts. Dominion Energy engineer keeps construction of the country’s largest offshore wind energy project—a novel $10-billion, 178-turbine effort off the Virginia coast on track to finish by the end of 2026—demonstrating clean energy's critical role in generating needed power and in confronting US climate change impacts.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60171 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60171-karl-e-humberson-energy-exec-steers-mammoth-offshore-wind-power-project-through-ocean-of-challenges mcfarlandp@enr.com (Pam McFarland) Martin Gross, co-founder and CEO of Gross-Wen Technologies, has long been fascinated by the possibilities of algae as a sustainability solution. Martin Gross, co-founder and CEO of Gross-Wen Technologies, has long been fascinated by the possibilities of algae as a sustainability solution.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60170 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60170-martin-gross-technology-developer-pushes-needle-forward-on-using-algae-for-wastewater-treatment choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) Joe Schneider recalls when he and Dave Garske approached Vince Granato about a series of near-misses on the construction site of the $1.2-billion TCORE project, the centerpiece of the $2-billion PDX Next program to transform Portland International Airport. Joe Schneider recalls when he and Dave Garske approached Vince Granato about a series of near-misses on the construction site of the $1.2-billion TCORE project, the centerpiece of the $2-billion PDX Next program to transform Portland International Airport.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60169 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60169-vince-granato-managing-a-2-billion-transformation-of-portland-international-airport Robert D. “Danny” Evans Jr. couldn’t help but smile as four lines of self-propelled modular transporters gently backed a new 2,800-ton cracking furnace into position at Chevron Phillips Chemical Co.’s Baytown, Texas, ethylene plant in September 2022. Robert D. “Danny” Evans Jr. couldn’t help but smile as four lines of self-propelled modular transporters gently backed a new 2,800-ton cracking furnace into position at Chevron Phillips Chemical Co.’s Baytown, Texas, ethylene plant in September 2022.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60168 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60168-robert-d-evans-jr-off-site-modular-construction-transport-and-placement-of-2-800-ton-cracking-furnace As executive vice president of Garney Construction’s eastern U.S. pipeline operations, Jordan Carrier helmed a team that pushed the limits of trenchless construction by conducting a 5,700-ft horizontal directional drill to install 42-in.-dia HDPE pipe for a wastewater force main under a busy shipping channel in Virginia. As executive vice president of Garney Construction’s eastern U.S. pipeline operations, Jordan Carrier helmed a team that pushed the limits of trenchless construction by conducting a 5,700-ft horizontal directional drill to install 42-in.-dia HDPE pipe for a wastewater force main under a busy shipping channel in Virginia.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60167 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60167-jordan-carrier-assembled-an-expert-team-and-led-its-installation-of-more-than-a-mile-of-pipe-under-a-busy-shipping-channel yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) As artificial intelligence continues to transform everyday activities, an arms race in construction technology AI services has begun, and a site-focused startup called Trunk Tools is leading it. As artificial intelligence continues to transform everyday activities, an arms race in construction technology AI services has begun, and a site-focused startup called Trunk Tools is leading it.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60166 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60166-sarah-buchner-knowledge-of-artificial-intelligence-tech-and-silicon-valley-business-development-powered-this-newsmaker jriceenr@gmail.com (Justin Rice) When interviewing to work for Eversource Energy in 2020, Nikki L. Bruno was asked if she had experience in the geothermal field. Bruno said no, but offered that she’d taken geology classes and could learn. When interviewing to work for Eversource Energy in 2020, Nikki L. Bruno was asked if she had experience in the geothermal field. Bruno said no, but offered that she’d taken geology classes and could learn.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60165 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60165-nikki-bruno-massachusetts-utility-commissions-first-us-geothermal-network-linking-residential-and-commercial-buildings-in-an-urban-neighborhood Mark Bransom, CEO since 2016 of Klamath River Renewal Corp., credits his more than 30-year career in water resources management and engineering for his ability to oversee the successful completion of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. Mark Bransom, CEO since 2016 of Klamath River Renewal Corp., credits his more than 30-year career in water resources management and engineering for his ability to oversee the successful completion of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60164 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60164-mark-bransom-veteran-water-engineer-demonstrates-agility-and-ability-to-adapt-and-coordinate-on-the-nations-largest-dam-removal-project jriceenr@gmail.com (Justin Rice) Driving to his office in Avon, Mass., around 7 a.m. on Feb. 7, 2023, John Ballas received a call from his firm’s site supervisor overseeing two projects at Brockton Hospital in Brockton, Mass. Driving to his office in Avon, Mass., around 7 a.m. on Feb. 7, 2023, John Ballas received a call from his firm’s site supervisor overseeing two projects at Brockton Hospital in Brockton, Mass.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60163 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60163-john-ballas-contractor-pushes-to-help-longtime-client-brockton-hospital-get-back-to-full-service-after-10-alarm-fire This year’s ENR Newsmakers clearly demonstrate a throughline between the past and the future—offering solutions to core industry problems and improvements to existing approaches. Read on to learn about their achievements. This year’s ENR Newsmakers clearly demonstrate a throughline between the past and the future—offering solutions to core industry problems and improvements to existing approaches. Read on to learn about their achievements.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60160 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60160-enrs-2024-top-25-newsmakers postn@enr.com (Nadine M. Post) It’s serendipitous for the Microsoft Thermal Energy Center team that young Stuart Yanow decided to take his older sister’s advice and major in mechanical engineering rather than health sciences. It’s serendipitous for the Microsoft Thermal Energy Center team that young Stuart Yanow decided to take his older sister’s advice and major in mechanical engineering rather than health sciences.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60187 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60187-stuart-yanow-guiding-light-during-the-tricky-drilling-of-the-900-well-geothermal-field-at-the-microsoft-thermal-energy-center yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) Design firm WSP and UK-based contractor Mace Group have pioneered an industrialized construction method that has now delivered nodes and fixed links for a new airport concourse at London’s Manchester Airport that will expand capacity with 12 new gates. Design firm WSP and UK-based contractor Mace Group have pioneered an industrialized construction method that has now delivered nodes and fixed links for a new airport concourse at London’s Manchester Airport that will expand capacity with 12 new gates. 

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/60185 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/60185-dale-sinclair-delivers-on-the-promise-of-industrialized-construction-at-londons-manchester-airport-and-beyond mcfarlandp@enr.com (Pam McFarland) For his tireless drive to engineer enduring solutions for a disaster-plagued world and his persistent push for both technical innovation and seismic design information exchange, ENR’s editorial team has selected Kit Miyamoto to receive its 59th Award of Excellence. For his tireless drive to engineer enduring solutions for a disaster-plagued world and his persistent push for both technical innovation and seismic design information exchange, ENR’s editorial team has selected Kit Miyamoto to receive its 59th Award of Excellence.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/58472 Thu, 11 Apr 2024 18:00:00 -0400 https://www.enr.com/articles/58472-award-of-excellence-winner-kit-miyamoto-travels-the-globe-to-help-countries-rebuild-from-disaster postn@enr.com (Nadine M. Post) Rouzbeh Savary became hooked on concrete as a youth in Tehran, when he would frequently tag along to jobsites with his developer-father Davood. Even as a 9-year-old, he was mesmerized by crews casting concrete for his father’s multistory buildings. Rouzbeh Savary became hooked on concrete as a youth in Tehran, when he would frequently tag along to jobsites with his developer-father Davood. Even as a 9-year-old, he was mesmerized by crews casting concrete for his father’s multistory buildings.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/58056 Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/58056-rouzbeh-savary-the-chemistry-is-just-right-for-a-mineral-substitute-for-portland-cement-that-can-save-one-ton-of-co-emissions-for-each-ton-of-cement-it-replaces choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) Brian Witte was just a freshman in high school when he launched his infrastructure career. “It was a small town in Iowa, and the teacher’s neighbor was the town engineer for a dozen communities,” recalls Witte, vice president of construction engineering for Parsons Corp. “They needed help. Brian Witte was just a freshman in high school when he launched his infrastructure career. “It was a small town in Iowa, and the teacher’s neighbor was the town engineer for a dozen communities,” recalls Witte, vice president of construction engineering for Parsons Corp. “They needed help.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/58054 Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/58054-brian-witte-designing-innovation-solutions-for-a-treacherous-stretch-of-highway-in-canadian-wilderness North Dakotan Terry Williams is helping to manage the $3.2-billion Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion project, a first-of-its-kind endeavor. North Dakotan Terry Williams is helping to manage the $3.2-billion Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion project, a first-of-its-kind endeavor.

]]> http://www.enr.com/articles/58053 Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.enr.com/articles/58053-terry-williams-civil-engineer-leads-first-of-a-kind-32b-north-dakota-flood-control-project