Press Releases

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) is pleased to announce it has recognized 17 projects for outstanding achievements in construction management.

The 2024 Project Achievement Award winners are:

Commercial/Sports/Entertainment/Hospitality: Construction value greater than $50 Million    
BETA Technologies S40 Aircraft Assembly Facility        
Owner: Beta Technologies    
CM/PM Project Team: PC Construction

Commercial/Sports/Entertainment/Hospitality: Construction value less than $50 Million    
Empower Field at Mile High Suite and Corridor Refresh    
Owner: The Denver Broncos    
CM/PM Project Team: Turner Construction Company

Education: Construction value greater than $50 Million    
The West Maui Temporary School Facility Project
Owner: Hawaii Department of Education    
CM/PM Project Team: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Pono Aina Management

Education: Construction value greater than $50 Million    
Health & Wellness Hub at MiraCosta College’s Oceanside Campus
Owner: MiraCosta College    
CM/PM Project Team: Kitchell

Education: Construction value less than $50 Million    
Littleton Public Schools Explorative Pathways for Innovative Careers Campus    
Owner: Littleton Public School     
CM/PM Project Team: Jacobs

Environmental: Construction value greater than $50 Million    
City of Foster City Levee Improvement Project    
Owner: Foster City, Calif.    
CM/PM Project Team: Tanner Pacific, Inc.

Environmental: Construction value less than $50 Million    
Mossdale Tract Phase III Levee Seepage Repairs Project    
Owner: Reclamation District 17, Stockton, Calif.    
CM/PM Project Team: Kjeldsen, Sinnock and Neudeck, Inc.

Government: Construction value greater than $50 Million    
Wilmington Waterfront Promenade and Building Demolition    
Owner: Port of Los Angeles, Calif.    
CM/PM Project Team: Port of Los Angeles, Calif.

Government: Construction value less than $50 Million    
National Park Service Sheriff's House Rehabilitation    
Owner: U.S. National Park Service    
CM/PM Project Team: AFG Group

Healthcare: Construction value greater than $50 Million    
Rush's Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building    
Owner: RUSH Healthcare    
CM/PM Project Team: Jacobs

Healthcare: Construction value less than $50 Million    
Acute Care Facility    
Owner: Larimer County, Colo.    
CM/PM Project Team: Ditesco

Residential/Mixed-Use: Construction value greater than $50 Million
Winthrop Center    
Owner: MP Boston    
CM/PM Project Team: Suffolk

Residential/Mixed-Use: Construction value less than $50 Million    
Victorville Wellness Center Infrastructure, Facilities and Campus Improvements Project    
Owner: City of Victorville, Calif.    
CM/PM Project Team: Pacifica Services, Inc.

Transportation: Construction value greater than $50 Million
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport - Airport Restroom Improvements    
Owner: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport    
CM/PM Project Team: Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (JMT)

Transportation: Construction value less than $50 Million    
Los Angeles Union Station Rail Yard Rehabilitation and Modernization Project    
Owner: MetroLink    
CM/PM Project Team: RailPros

Water/Wastewater/Utility: Construction value greater than $50 Million    
San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility Headworks Improvements and New Headworks Project
Owner: City of San Jose, Calif.    
CM/PM Project Team: CDM Smith

Water/Wastewater/Utility: Construction value less than $50 Million    
West Alexander & Wilson Creek WWTP    
Owner: Greenwood Metropolitan District    
CM/PM Project Team: Harper General Contractors

The award winners will be recognized October 28, 2024, at the CMAA Industry Honors and Awards Dinner at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis during CMAA2024.

Award winners serve as examples for CMAA to promote professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction process.

Photos and more information on each award coming soon to the CMAA website. 
 

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) is excited to announce the winners of its 2024 Industry Excellence Honors.

CMAA’s Award Program recognizes excellence in construction management practice and honors companies and individuals each year based on merit. A panel of judges reviews each nomination carefully and chooses the best candidate(s) in each category.

CMAA Distinguished Young Professional Award
Recognizes and celebrates a full-time, individual member, for a commitment to the industry and outstanding professional accomplishments early in their career.
2024 Recipients:
Mark Hildreth | The McKissack Group, Inc. 
Karina Massey, PE, CMIT | Jacobs
Ruthwik Pasunuru, CCM | Program Controls, Inc.
Ketty Paulino | NYC Department of Design & Construction

CMAA Award for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Recognizes a program and construction management professional or organization with a demonstrated commitment to at least one of the following: 1) Promoting, developing, and educating professionals to build and sustain teams and work cultures that are diverse, welcoming, and inclusive, 2) Including diverse perspectives on teams and in decision making, or 3) Promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within organizations.
2024 Recipient:
Dominic Cendejas-Tafoya | VST Engineering

CMAA Award for Environmental Stewardship
Recognizes a program or construction management professional who has guided and aided an owner(s) in defining and meeting their [owner] organization’s environmental responsibility goals over a period of at least five years.
2024 Recipient:
Jerry Aliberti, CCM | NYC Department of Design & Construction

CMAA Golden Key Award
Recognizes and celebrates individual members – in any membership category – with a record of service and contribution to the growth and development of CMAA or the CMAA Foundation over a period of at least five years and whose contributions have advanced the vision, mission, and values of CMAA or the CMAA Foundation.
2024 Recipients:
Carl Holmes, PE, CCM | San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Andrew Mittleman, CCM | Jacobs

CMAA Mark Hasso Educator of the Year Award
Recognizes and celebrates a full-time educator for a commitment to program and construction management education and for building relationships and connections between educators and practitioners.
2024 Recipients:
Dr. Payam Bakhshi | Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wes Collins | Auburn University

Coin of Excellence
Recognizes an exceptional individual who embodies the highest standards of professionalism and supports a culture of certification within the construction management industry.
2024 Recipient:
Lori Kahikina | Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART)

Mehdi Heydari CCM of the Year Award
The Construction Manager Certification Institute (CMCI) confers this award for the culture of certification upon a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential holder who has clearly identified and stimulated opportunities to advocate for construction management certification, CMAA, and excels within their construction programs.
2024 Recipient:
Sarah Wilson, PE, CCM | VTA

“Each of our award winners work hard to make a difference, and we commend each of them for their achievements and contributions to the construction industry,” states CMAA President and CEO Andrea S. Rutledge, CAE.

CMAA will honor its award winners during the organization’s in-person conference, CMAA2024, October 27 - 29, 2024, in San Francisco. Visit CMAA's conference website for more information.
 
Entries for the 2025 CMAA Industry Honors Awards program will open in March.

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) announces 10 members have been selected for the CMAA College of Fellows for 2024, making this the largest class ever inducted. They are:

• Dr. Luciana Burdi, CCM, FCMAA | Massachusetts Port Authority
• Christine Flaherty, CCM, FCMAA | Catholic Health of Long Island
• Robert Gries, PE, CCM, FCMAA | U.S. General Services Administration
• Michael V. Griffin, FCMAA | HKA
• Thomas Haid, PE, CCM, FCMAA | HDR
• John David (JD) Harrison, CCM, FCMAA | CDM Smith
• Bill Johal, CCM, FCMAA | Kitchell
• Brian McCarthy, PE, CCM, FCMAA | CDM Smith
• Timothy McManus, FCMAA | TCMcManus Consulting, LLC
• Michael Young, PE, CCM, FCMAA | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

"CMAA members are selected for Fellowship in recognition of their leadership in the program and construction management (PM/CM) profession, contributions to its continued growth and development, support of CMAA, and commitment to the future," said Joe Seibold, PE, FCMAA, Chancellor of the CMAA College of Fellows.

The FCMAA designation is the highest honor CMAA can bestow on an individual member and this year’s honorees are no exception.

The College of Fellows seeks to represent a diverse community of industry leaders who lend their knowledge and insight to the strategic issues facing the industry and the PM/CM profession, identify and assist in the development of future leaders, and take an active role in supporting the mission of CMAA.

“The selection committee had a difficult task for making their choices for 2024; all are outstanding,” said Andrea S. Rutledge, CAE, President and CEO of CMAA. “All ten individuals have demonstrated a clear commitment to CMAA’s success as the voice of the profession and the premier resource to professionals in the built environment.” 

See more about the CMAA College of Fellows here.
 

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) is thrilled to announce that registration is underway for CMAA2024. As the premier event for program and construction management professionals, this fall conference will bring together public and private sector leaders, professionals, and innovators from across the U.S. to explore the latest trends, technologies, and strategies that are revolutionizing the industry.  

CMAA2024 will take place October 27 - 29, 2024, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Attendees can look forward to a comprehensive expo hall, networking opportunities, plenary and breakout sessions, and a full education program. The highlight of the event is the annual CMAA Industry Honors and Awards Program, where the annual Project Achievement Awards and other Individual Honors are presented.

This year the education program has expanded to include four brand new focused courses on October 26, just ahead of the conference. They include: 

• Becoming a Better Leader - Designed specifically for A/E/C professionals, this course dives into a wide variety of leadership skills to create positive, lasting changes in you and your team.
• Ethical Practices in Construction Management - Explore two fundamental principles based on ethical practice and responsibility to the public using real-life scenarios in an interactive session.
• Advanced Scheduling for CMs - This course covers the construction manager's role in schedule management, developing a master schedule, scheduling review best practices, identifying “red flags," earned value analysis, time impact review and evaluation methods, claim prevention and avoidance, and time-related overhead and liquidated damages. 
• Negotiating Success: How to Achieve Successful Outcomes - Emphasizing the pivotal role of the construction manager, this course will explore strategies for facilitating constructive dialogue and reaching mutually beneficial agreements among project stakeholders using real-world examples. 

And as always, industry professionals will benefit from these courses available just ahead of CMAA2024 as well: 

• In-Person Professional CM (PCM) Course - October 24 - 26
• Train the Trainer - October 24 - 25
• Construction Management Principles - October 26

The CMAA2024 website provides access to registration, accommodations, the Schedule at a Glance, and Full Schedule. A few CMAA2024 Sponsorships remain that include a variety of ways to get your products and services in front of CMAA members. There is also still time to become an exhibitor at the CMAA2024 Expo. 

Learn more about CMAA2024 here. 

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) invites program and construction management professionals, faculty, students, and all those involved in design, construction, and management in the built environment to share their best practices, successes, and proven techniques by presenting at its fall conference, CMAA2024.

CMAA2024, scheduled for October 27 - 29, 2024, in San Francisco, Calif., is CMAA's flagship event. It will include a comprehensive expo hall, plenary and breakout sessions, and the annual CMAA Industry Recognition Awards where 2024 CMAA Project Achievement Awards and other individual honors are presented.

Planned are three days of education, collaboration, and networking. This year’s event is designed to provide attendees with learning experiences that are valuable to the recipient, relevant to the evolving industry, unique to the profession, and optimal for project/program outcomes.

Proposals should focus on providing attendees with ways to gain valuable insights to leverage leadership skills, technological innovations, and digital tools, trends, and resiliency best practices that pave the way for innovative and successful project/program execution.

Completed submissions are due by Friday, March 29, 2024. Get started here.

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) is thrilled to announce that registration is open for CMAA Focus24. An in-person and interactive experience, this spring conference is designed to provide attendees with learning experiences that are valuable to the recipient, relevant to the evolving industry, unique to the profession, and optimal for project and program outcomes. The event is set to bring together public and private sector leaders, professionals, and innovators from across the U.S. to explore the latest trends, technologies, and strategies that are revolutionizing the construction industry.  

CMAA Focus24 will take place March 10 - 12, 2024, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, in Philadelphia, Pa.  Attendees can look forward to a robust education program where they will gain valuable insights to leverage leadership skills, technological innovations, and digital tools, trends, and resiliency best practices that pave the way for innovative and successful project/program execution.

CMAA is also proud to present five compelling plenary sessions during the event.

Attendees to the Sunday Opening Plenary Session, Navigating the Future: Insights from the 2023 Emerging Leaders Program in Construction Management, will embark on a journey with CMAA's Emerging Leaders as they unveil the compelling narratives behind their choice of careers in construction management. Discussion will delve into the essence of the next generation, understanding their priorities and distinguishing them from prevailing workplace cultures.
 
The Monday Morning Breakfast Plenary, Show, Don't Tell: What it Means to be a Motivational Leader, will be presented by Cassi Chandler, the FBI’S first African American Special Agent Assistant Director and the Bureau’s first female National Spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs. Through these postions, Cassi learned how to build and nurture diverse, high-performing teams and empower their success in navigating high-priority intelligence and risk matters. In this interactive discussion, she will analyze the elements of motivational leadership that spark high performance in teams.

How do you translate the leadership skills to move DEIB practices from offices to jobsites? Find out in the Monday Afternoon Plenary Session, DEIB from the Office to the Jobsite. This panel will share stories of successful, and less-than-successful, times of how they are integrating DEIB practices into jobsites and creating cultures that are open, inclusive, safe, and welcoming.

Tuesday Morning's Plenary Session, Thoughts from Project Owners, will feature a panel of owners from diverse sectors, such as healthcare, transportation, and federal agencies, who will articulate their rationale for selecting specific delivery methods. The panel will highlight the factors and considerations influencing their choices, such as project complexity, budget constraints, timeline expectations, and risk management strategies. 

The conference will end with Tuesday's CMAA Focus24 Town Hall. Featuring the members of the CMAA Board of Directors who chair the Government Advocacy, DEIB, Professional Development, and Ethical Practices Committees, this is an opportunity to learn more about committees’ charges and deliverables for this year, the CMAA Board, and the opportunities to be involved.

The CMAA Focus24 website provides access to registration, accommodations, the schedule at a glance, and full schedule. CMAA Focus24 sponsorships are also now available and include a variety of ways to get your products and services in front of CMAA members.

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Board of Directors has voted that the association will become a Sustaining Association Member of the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) in FY24. 

ACCE membership is a natural fit for CMAA, which has a vision to be the voice of the program and construction management industry and the premier resource for professionals working in the built environment. CMAA is excited to cooperate with ACCE, a specialized and programmatic accrediting agency for construction education, including construction and program management. With an updated mission to promote, support, educate, and develop professionals who lead the delivery of programs and projects within the built environment, CMAA is well poised to contribute to this new partnership. 

“As a new Sustaining Association Member of ACCE, we at CMAA are excited for the opportunity to help influence the educational experience of future construction leaders and to network with other industry members and academic leaders to promote quality construction education,” says Andrea S. Rutledge, CAE, President and CEO of CMAA. 

Membership in ACCE contributes to achieving the outcomes in CMAA's Strategic Framework by sharing CMAA members’ unique perspectives, leadership skills, experiences, insights, and best practices to: 

• Be the industry leader in leveraging leadership skills, technological innovations, digital tools, trends, and resiliency best practices to pave the way for innovative and successful project execution.
• Become the trusted source of knowledge and best practices in program and construction management.
• Promote, develop, and educate professionals to build and sustain teams and work cultures that are diverse, welcoming, and inclusive.
• Expand the program and construction management narrative and tell the stories of the roles, opportunities, breadth, and values of the profession.
• Build brand awareness of CMAA resources and the program and construction management professionals who steward the entire project life cycle.
• Actively engage with other industry groups.

Last month the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) hosted an advocacy day, its first CMAA Hill Day, on Capitol Hill for its membership to meet with federal lawmakers to discuss important issues relevant to the construction and project management profession and the industry.

CMAA members from across the country scheduled more than a dozen visits with legislators from their home states and districts to discuss the importance of CMAA’s resources and the essential role program and construction management professionals play in stewarding the entire construction project/program lifecycle.

Conversations with legislative offices touched on several topics, including the value of credentials within the construction industry. Legislation, such as the bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1477/S. 722), could increase access to such certifications. With over 90 cosponsors in the House, S. 722/ H.R. 1477 aims to create new opportunities for professionals by expanding 529 savings plans to include postsecondary training and credentialing.

"As Congress considers vital legislation through the remainder of the year, CMAA plans to continue uplifting the voices of the construction and project management profession. As the premier resource for professionals working in the built environment, CMAA is excited to provide members with further opportunities to connect with lawmakers both at home and in Washington, D.C.," says Ethan Lott, Director of Advocacy for CMAA. 

Keep track of CMAA’s advocacy and engagement by checking out CMAA’s Advocacy Action Center.

Khaled Naja, PE, CCM, CEO of Cruise Terminals International, recently became the new Chair of the Board of Directors of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) at CMAA2023, the association’s national conference in Washington, D.C.
 
Khaled is a globally-recognized C-suite leader with cross-industry expertise in private equity infrastructure, capital planning, commercial development, construction management, asset optimization, and infrastructure operations. Khaled offers strategic insight and leadership on infrastructure and development worldwide.

Prior to taking the chief executive officer role at Cruise Terminals International, Khaled was the executive vice president at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, and before that helped lead the global aviation division at Parsons Corporation.

Khaled is a member of the CMAA North Texas Chapter, where he first became active in the association. In 2022, Khaled served as Treasurer of the Board, where he served as the Chair of both of the Audit Committee and the Investment Advisory Committee. After serving as Chair-Elect for 2023, Khaled has now become the CMAA Board of Directors Chair. 

"When I joined the National Board, what struck me was the abundance of talent," Khaled said. "Directors generously share their time, thoughts, opinions, and commitment to our profession and association. I am grateful to each of them, and I eagerly anticipate continuing this remarkable journey with them in the year ahead."

Khaled was honored as one of Engineering News Record’s (ENR) Top 25 Newsmakers in 2021 for innovation in modular terminal construction, a first-of-its-kind maneuver, which resulted in a paradigm shift in airport terminal development. In 2023, he was elected to the membership of The National Academy of Construction for being an innovative leader and strategist, particularly in sustainability, technology, modularization, and use of digital analytics for successful predictive outcomes.

In his acceptance speech at CMAA2023 on October 30 in Washington, D.C., Khaled committed to:  

• Expanding CMAA's advocacy initiative with objectives for preferences for Certified Construction Managers (CCMs) and a federal position classification for program and construction management professionals. 
• Developing a strategy for international engagement that advances CMAA's strategic objectives for knowledge, best practices, and engaging other organizations. 
• Defining the role of program and construction management professionals in delivery methods, other than design-bid-build and positioning CMAA to effectively champion the profession across the industry. 
• Upholding and further fostering CMAA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the industry. 
• Advocating for and showcasing how CMAA Builds Better — whether it's in people, projects, programs, or education.

"Throughout, I am committed to diligently implementing our strategic framework, ensuring that we meet our goals and aspirations. CMAA is fortunate to have a dynamic Board of Directors, reflecting the diversity that defines our industry. I commit as the Chair of CMAA to serve the members of this remarkable association and ardently uphold CMAA's Vision and Mission. I eagerly anticipate an extraordinary year ahead," Khaled said.

Andrea S. Rutledge, CAE, CMAA President and CEO, expressed her thoughts on CMAA's new Chair, "Khaled's contributions on the Board of Directors and the Association for the past five years has been remarkable. He always challenges me and others on the Board to think a bit more outside the box to meet the Mission and Vision of the Association.  I look forward to seeing what the Board will accomplish in the coming year with Khaled as Chair."

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) is pleased to announce it has recognized 17 projects for outstanding achievements in construction management in 2023.

The 2023 CMAA Project Achievement Award winners are:

Commercial/Sports/Entertainment/Hospitality: Construction value greater than $50 Million
San Diego State University: Snapdragon Stadium
Owner: San Diego State University
CM: OCMI, Inc.

Education: Construction value less than $10 Million
The Pennsylvania State University Breazeale Nuclear Reactor Beam Lab Addition
Owner: The Pennsylvania State University
CM: Alexander Building Construction Co.

Education: Construction value less than $50 Million
The College of Southern Maryland Health Science Building
Owner: The College of Southern Maryland
CM: Scheibel CM

Environmental: Construction value greater than $50 Million
Isabella Lake Dam - Dam Safety Modification Project
Owner: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
CM: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District

Government: Construction value greater than $50 Million
WMATA Office Consolidation Project
Owner: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
CM: Jacobs

Healthcare: Construction value greater than $50 Million
UC Davis Health Ambulatory Care Center Expansion/Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute
Owner: University of California, Davis
CM: Vanir

Residential/Mixed-Use: Construction value greater than $50 Million
NMS La Jolla
Owner: WSC
CM: Gilbane Building Company

Transportation: Construction value less than $10 Million
Union Street Pedestrian Bridge 
Owner: City of Seattle, Wash.    
CM: The Walsh Group

Water/Wastewater/Utility: Construction value less than $50 Million        
Fort Bend County WC&ID No. 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2          
Owner: Fort Bend County WC&ID No. 2 
CM: Quiddity Engineering

Government: Construction value less than $50 Million
City of Garland Animal Shelter & Adoption Center           
Owner: City of Garland, Texas    
CM: AECOM

Government: Construction value less than $50 Million
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Irvine Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Control Systems Repair Project
Owner: U.S. General Services Administration      
CM: Hill International, Inc.

Commercial/Sports/Entertainment/Hospitality: Construction value less than $50 Million       
One Spruce Peak            
Owner: Spruce Peak      
CM: PC Construction

Transportation: Construction value less than $50 Million
St. Elizabeths East Campus – Pecan Street Infrastructure Improvements  
Owner: Washington, District of Columbia            
CM: Cube Root Corporation

Water/Wastewater/Utility: Construction value greater than $50 Million  
Tertiary Treatment Facility          
Owner: Regional San     
CM: HDR

Education: Construction value greater than $50 Million
Logan Memorial Educational Campus
Owner: San Diego Unified School District
CM: SchneiderCM, Inc.

Transportation: Construction value greater than $50 Million
High C Gates Demolition & Rebuild Project
Owner: DFW Airport
CM: HNTB

Residential/Mixed-Use: Construction value less than $10 Million
Linden Street Renovations
Owner: City of Fort Collins, Colo.
CM: Ditesco

The award winners will be recognized October 30, 2023, at the CMAA2023 Industry Honors and Awards Dinner at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, in National Harbor, just outside Washington, D.C.

Award winners serve as examples for CMAA to promote professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction process.

Photos and information about individual projects can be viewed here.