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HONORS & AWARDS BALFOUR BEATTY HONORS ERIC GARCIA WITH 2015 ROBERT C. VAN CLEAVE RELENTLESS ALLY AWARD Balfour Beatty Construction (Orlando, FL) has named Eric Garcia as its 2015 Relentless Ally – the highest honor the company bestows upon an employee. Created to honor the legacy of retired chairman and CEO Robert C. Van Cleave, Balfour Beatty’s Relentless Ally Award is presented to the individual who most embodies one or more pillars of the company’s creed – “Zero Harm, Zero Waste, Client Advocacy and Employee Inspiration.” Thereby, this individual truly lives the company’s purpose by definition: “To be a Relentless Ally for the success of each and every dream that we are entrusted to build.” As a senior loss prevention manager in Balfour Beatty’s Orlando office, Garcia’s key priority is to lead the company’s zero-harm efforts on some of its most complicated projects. However, Garcia has been recognized by his clients and colleagues for accomplishments that surpass his job description by touching all four of Balfour Beatty’s creed pillars. In essence, the Relentless Ally Award recognizes the heroes at Balfour Beatty who define and deliver service excellence. “Eric Garcia represents everything we look for in an employee who epitomizes the Relentless Ally purpose,” said Sean DeMartino, president of Balfour Beatty’s Florida Division. “He consistently exhibits a sound work ethic,

MOMA PS1 ANNOUNCES ITS 2016 YOUNG ARCHITECTS PROGRAM SHORTLIST In its 17th year running, the Long Island City, New York, satellite location for the Museum of Modern Art has released a shortlist for its Young Architects Program. Created as an opportunity for budding architects to flex their design chops, the program asks competitors to create a temporary, outdoor installation that will be constructed on the public rooftop of MoMA PS1. The art institution asks for designers to develop a construction that will offer shade, seating, and water for attendees of its summertime live concert series, “Warm Up,” while addressing environmental issues. This year’s hopefuls are split between the U.S. and Mexico. The American designers include First Office , led by Andrew Atwood and Anna Neimark in Los Angeles; Ultramoderne , which includes Aaron Forrest and Yasmine Vobis, located in Providence, Rhode Island; and Cobalt Office , by Andrew Colopy and Robert Booth in Houston. The Mexican participants are Escobedo + Solis , with Lazbent Pavel Escobedo Amaral and Andres Soliz Paz, in Mexico City; and Frida Escobedo, based in Azures. The winner will be announced in early 2016. Last year, the panelists chose COSMO, the bespoke installation designed by Spanish architect Andrés Jaque. The quadragenarian architect heads international firm Office for Political Innovation and teaches at Columbia University.

a client focus, solutions-oriented ideas, leadership by example, superior technical proficiency, and consistent follow-through – all in addition to his day job of leading our efforts around zero harm on some of the most complicated projects in our Florida business. He undoubtedly represents each of our four creed pillars at the highest level and is a proven Relentless Ally for our clients, business partners, and his fellow employees.” When it comes to Balfour Beatty’s commitment to accepting nothing less than zero harm for anyone who comes into contact with its work, Garcia led the charge that resulted in more than 1 million man-hours without a lost-time incident on two projects. Garcia exceeds industry standards because he takes his role personally and establishes trust with his workforce through a servant leadership approach centered on his team’s best interests. “Eric is so effective at his job because of how he interacts with the workforce,” said Steve Smithgall, senior vice president of national operations and safety, Balfour Beatty Construction. “When he approaches people, they can tell he is passionate about his job and wants them to be and act safe because he genuinely cares about their wellbeing. He isn’t just enforcing rules, he goes that extra step to warn them about the risks and hazards our rules are aimed at preventing. He also takes the time to acknowledge them for doing things right.”

SANDY HOOK, from page 11

provided structure to that identity.” The project will include Svigals’ Kids Build! program, which entails the education of students throughout the design and construction process. Svigals has employed the pro- gram at other school projects, including those in New Ha- ven’s $1.7-billion school construction program. One of the key challenges of Sandy Hook, McFadden says, was balancing new security concerns with the firm’s desire to design a welcoming and inspiring environment for learn- ing. That was accomplished with the open lobby, the series of courtyards, and the curvature of the front façade, among other features. And it was the curvature that perhaps posed the biggest design problem, McFadden says. The steel struc- ture had to be calibrated to the curve, and had to accommo- date the layout inside. With Consigli Construction anchoring the worksite, the project is expected to open on schedule. And, though the school is expected to welcome students back with open arms, there probably won’t be too much fanfare, if any at all. “Certainly, the fact that national media is interested in the project was new for us and for the town and the school dis- trict,” McFadden explains. “The town is weary of the atten- tion, and this is hard for us to balance against the backdrop of a community that doesn’t want the notoriety.”

under the oversight of the Public Building and Site Commis- sion of the Town of Newport. The K-4 school, with a capac- ity for more than 500 kids, will be about 80,000 square feet and designed to meet LEED Gold standards. The only ele- ment of the original structure that will remain is the flag- pole. The school will exist in a completely different foot- print, with no public memorial on the campus. The final design of the two-story school incorporated the input from school officials, teachers, parents, and commu- nity leaders. Features include an undulating wood façade, scenic views of nature and of the city, rain gardens, class- room wings, a soaring lobby, and a central courtyard. The school will also be equipped with new security standards de- veloped by Connecticut and the U.S. Department of Home- land Security. The planning process was exhaustive, but worth the effort. “Everyone that participated in our advisory group was in- credibly invested and concerned about the success of the project, and they were willing to go the extra miles with us to explore and find the best solutions,” McFadden says. “The interest in this project was the greatest we have ever encountered. The mood was hopeful that we could capture the spirit of who they are: Sandy Hook is a distinct area of Newtown with lots of history and pride. Sandy Hook School

THE ZWEIG LETTER JANUARY 4, 2016, ISSUE 1133

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