Boy Scouts honor leadership.

Leadership was the theme at this year's Construction and Transportation Industry "Good Scout" Awards luncheon.

The event, held to benefit the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts of America, recognized outstanding community service and leadership qualities and honored Pat A. Di Filippo, executive vice president of Turner Construction Company, Susan L. Hayes, president and CEO of Cauldwell Wingate, Jane A. Chmielinski, president and CEO of DMJM Harris, and Edward J. Walsh, president of the New York State Iron Workers District Council.

In his presentation remarks, John A. Cavanagh, CEO of Cavanagh/Stewart International, Inc., noted that the Boy Scouts organization has consistently produced leaders in all fields of life.

"Scouting's annual record is impressive--statistics show that 85% of student council presidents were scouts, 80% of junior class presidents were scouts and 75% of football captains were scouts," Cavanagh said.

"For 49 years, the construction and transportation industries had this annual luncheon. This award recognition is presented to those individuals who exemplify in their daily life the ideals of the Boy Scouts [to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent]."

"They are presented with this award for the leadership they show in their organizations."

Edward Walsh, a 38-year industry veteran, was the first to receive the award and applauded his union brothers for their involvement in the community and contribution to the quality of life in New York City.

In addition to serving as vice president of Ironworkers International, Walsh sits on the boards of the Ironworkers International Executive Council, the New York State and New York City Executive Boards of the Building and Construction Trades, the Construction Industry Partnership of New York and a number of other organizations.

Susan Hayes, described by the Building Trades Employers' Council president Louis Coletti as someone who "brings a passion to everything she does," spoke about the industry's responsibility to create business leaders for the next generation.

"The Boy Scouts create leaders," she noted.

"The Boy Scouts have the basic character strengths [necessary in any undertaking]--self-discipline, appreciation for the environment, the knowledge that you will finish any job you start We have the responsibility to foster the partnership that makes this kind of success to assure tomorrow's leaders."

Hayes sits on the board of directors of the New York Building Congress. the Non-Traditional Employment for Women and the Mayor's Commission on Construction Opportunity. She also serves as first vice president of the Contractors' Association of Greater New York.

Hayes' fellow award winner Jane Chmielinski echoed her sentiments about the Boy Scouts.

According to Chmielinski's colleague Joseph Pulicare, executive vice president of DMJM Harris, although she is not an official member of the Boy Scouts, she does exhibit the values prized by the organization.

"She is committed to helping her hometown communities, she donates her own money and time to charitable organizations and she helped develop many strong student programs in [a number of] engineering schools," Pulicare noted.

"The Boy Scouts is really an organization that recognizes how important it is to give to the generations before you and after you," Chmielinski said. "This is an organization that produces future leaders."

According to Pat Di Filippo, "At the end of the day each and every one of us really represents organizations [we are involved in]. We could not imagine not having the Boy Scouts in our life."

Di Filippo has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He has been instrumental in helping Turner Construction open its Dallas and Houston offices.