Richard Szecsy, PhD, PE, chief executive officer of Texas’ Big Town Concrete, has started a three-year ASTM International board term, joining 24 other directors representing companies, associations, organizations, universities and government bodies from around the world. A 30-year concrete industry veteran, he has been active in the American Concrete Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers, and National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and currently chairs the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association. He also chaired ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregate, along with its two largest subcommittees. Szecsy received his B.S. and M.S. in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Illinois, and an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University. He is a licensed professional engineer in Texas and 13 other states.
Joining him for a three-term as ASTM International director is Maria Knake, acting group lead of the Standards and Conformity Assessment Services Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. She has nearly two decades’ experience in construction materials testing, primarily from an extended American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials tenure, and is also engaged with the NIST-backed Low Carbon Cements and Concretes Consortium. An ASTM International member for more than 15 years, Knake has chaired Committee D04 and worked with Committees C09, D18, E17 and E36. She holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University.
New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley has been named Design-Build Institute of America as 2025 chair. A long-time champion of design-build, he has overseen the delivery method’s successful implementation for municipal construction projects. New York City government’s first design-build project, a combined garage and community space in Queens built as part of the Borough-Based Jails Program, was completed by DDC in 22 months—less than half the time expected under the old lowest bidder contracting system—and with cost savings of $12.9 million. The project received DBIA’s 2024 National Award of Merit, National Award of Excellence in Federal/State/County/Municipal Facilities and I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. Owner Award.
Foley has guided numerous other projects in DDC’s design-build pilot program to completion years faster than would have been possible with lowest bidder contracting, including the $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in Brooklyn, to be completed at least two years faster with design-build than under former DDC delivery methods. The department recently launched its first design-build infrastructure project in Manhattan and Foley was a key part of a lobbying effort that resulted in DDC now being able to use progressive design-build for future resiliency projects.
“We’ve seen firsthand how design-build transforms projects by fostering teamwork and driving efficiency in all five boroughs to deliver vital services for New Yorkers,” says Foley. “I’m honored to lead DBIA during this exciting time for our industry and look forward to championing Design-Build Done Right through initiatives that empower owners and practitioners to achieve even greater success.”
“With Tom’s leadership, supported by the outstanding commitment of new and returning board members, DBIA is well-positioned to advance design-build excellence, support its continued growth and build on the momentum we’ve created for the past 30 years,” adds Executive Director Lisa Washington.