ABC Recognizes Construction Firm with Diamond STEP Award

CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure employees have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

Farmington, CT – KBE Building Corporation’s Safety Program has been recognized for the second year with the Diamond STEP award by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and invited to participate in an eighth OSHA Safety Training Partnership. In addition, the firm’s safety team reports it has been finding great success in further improving safety performance on its job sites through its “KBE 10 Hour” safety certification program.

This is KBE’s second year in a row earning ABC’s Diamond-level recognition, which is based on the firm’s exemplary record of low accident rates on its jobsites. KBE has consistently been recognized over the last 25 years with Platinum and Gold STEP awards.

KBE’s safety record has also earned the firm its eighth invitation-only Safety Training Partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bridgeport Area Office and the Connecticut Department of Labor Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA) On-Site Consultation Program. This newest partnership is underway at Piper, the new multi-unit luxury residences in Norwalk. KBE is managing the construction for owner TB Norwalk Apartments, LLC. The project encompasses 855,882sf, which will include a 6-story cast-in-place and wood-framed residential component, street-level retail, and a five-level, 589-car precast parking garage. All eight of KBE’s Safety Training Partnerships are part of OSHA’s nationwide Strategic Partnership Program (SPP), which develops contractor/government partnerships that will encourage involvement of trade contractors and their field staff in the improvement of safety and health performance.

KBE’s Safety department, under the leadership of Adam Peters, the firm’s corporate safety director, is always in pursuit of ways to continually improve safety performance and safety education on the company’s job sites and for its project management staff. To that end, Peters initiated a new, mandatory training course for all KBE superintendents, project managers, and project executives called the KBE 10 Hour. The course goes beyond the standard OSHA 10 Hour safety certification.

Manchester, NH – Metro Walls recently announced that Risa Taylor joined the team as director of HR and people operations.

In this role, Taylor will oversee the company’s people operations and will be responsible for managing all aspects of the human resource department. She will manage the company’s employee training and development program, expand upon its recruitment and retention strategy, oversee the enforcement of all

HR policies and procedures, and serve as a valuable resource for all employees.

Boston – The Chiofaro Company has announced four new additions to the team.

Taylor

Taylor will be based out of the Manchester office, and will work closely with the management team to help further develop Metro Walls’ employee programs, benefits, experiences, and culture. She joins Metro Walls with over a decade of experience working as a human resource professional, and she holds many certifications in the human resource field.

Springfield, MA – Dietz & Company Architects, Inc. recently welcomed Soniha Nuzrat to the firm in the role of architectural associate. In her role, she will assist project teams throughout all phases of design.

Nuzrat recently received her Master of of Architecture degree from Miami University in Ohio where she completed her thesis on evaluating cross-cultural courtyard housing for social well-being in Manhattan. As evidenced by her thesis, Nuzrat has a particular interest and specializes in community-based design.

Nuzrat

Last spring, she received the AIA Medal for Academic Excellence, which is awarded annually to the top graduating students in National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited degree programs.

Prior to pursuing her Master of Architecture, Nuzrat earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology. She also worked on a variety of projects for architecture firms in Bangladesh.

Boston – Architect Michael R. Davis, FAIA, LEED AP, who spent over 40 years at design collaborative Bergmeyer, has retired.

Most recently serving as Bergmeyer’s first-ever director of corporate social responsibility, Davis joined the firm in May of 1984 and was made a principal by 1992, serving in key leadership roles throughout his tenure as vice president from 2001-2015 and president from 20162021. Representatives of the firm say Davis was instrumental in creating key partnerships with organizations focused on creating opportunities for young people of diverse backgrounds to explore careers in design.

Davis’ contributions in the architecture industry include his work with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), serving as an advocate for sustainable public policy and design excellence in the public realm. In 2020, he was appointed to the AIA’s board of directors’ Government Advocacy Committee (GAC), contributing to the AIA’s first public policy platform document while also helping write the AIA’s Climate Action Plan.

In 2013, he was elected president of the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) and appointed chair of the board of trustees of the BSA Foundation from 2015 to 2016.

In his retirement, Davis will continue to provide expert witness services in support of architects’ professional liability defense through his new solo practice, Mike Davis FAIA LLC.

“It is with great pride that we celebrate Mike Davis’ remarkable career and legacy, one so impactfully influential that it will be felt throughout the architecture and design industry for generations to come,” said Bergmeyer president, Rachel Zsembery, AIA, LEED AP BD+C. “His leadership as an advocate for progressive evolution and climate positive impact within Bergmeyer, the City of Boston, and the global architectural design community has paved the way for our collective future.“

Earlier this year, Chiofaro Company announced a $100 million transformative reinvestment in International Place, a 1.8 million sq. ft. office complex in Boston’s downtown. Don Chiofaro Jr., vice president of The Chiofaro Company, said, “Our approach to managing and operating International Place is grounded in personal and collaborative engagement with our tenants to deliver truly the best value, and this team will help make it happen.”

Ryan Barrett will join the Leasing Team as a leasing associate. He will be responsible for leasing office space across the portfolio, including International Place. He will work with existing and prospective tenants on leases and ensuring their working environments support their growth and advancement. Prior to joining the company, Barrett was a leasing representative at David S. Brown Enterprises.

Katherine Shields will join The Chiofaro Company as a marketing associate, supporting the leasing and programming efforts of the team at International Place and across The Chiofaro Company’s portfolio. Prior to joining the team, she managed marketing efforts for several hospitality and residential businesses in Georgia.

At the beginning of this year, The Chiofaro Company also welcomed

Jesicka Labud as senior project manager. She is overseeing and directing all tenant improvement build outs from lease inception to move-in, coordinating all aspects of design and construction for tenants as well as building capital improvements. She is also part of the Lobby renovation project management team at International Place. As a project manager, Labud brings more than 17 years of experience in the AEC fields.

Chiofaro also welcomed Mario Almeida as assistant controller, maintaining accounting operations and financial reporting functions.

Boston – Warner Larson Landscape Architects announced that Allison Gramolini has been promoted to project manager.

Representatives of the firm say that, with over five years in the profession after earning a Master of Landscape Architecture, Gramolini is making a positive impact on the company’s community-oriented park, school and housing projects through her engaging and thorough process.

Gramolini

Boston – Marcus Partners announced that Gwen Leurini has joined the firm as principal, chief financial officer, and chief compliance officer. She will also serve on the firm’s Management Committee and chair the Compliance & Risk Committee.

Leurini joins Marcus Partners after 17 years with AEW Capital Management, where she most recently served as senior vice president/head of

Leurini

fund operations.

“Gwen brings a broad range of experience to our firm, gained across the commercial real estate and investment fields,” said Patrick Sousa, chief operating officer and head of capital at Marcus Partners. “Her work will enhance our ability to deliver on our commitments to drive strong investor value and create a strong organizational culture.”