Building contractors set up new construction institute.

To meet the ever more rapidly changing construction methods, materials and equipment advances, general building contractors in Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region have formed the Construction Advancement Institute [CAI] now based in Tarrytown, NY.

Two experienced construction professionals, Vincent Colletti, President of Vincent Colletti & Co., Inc. plastering and lathing contractors and Ross J. Pepe, President of the Building Contractors Association of Westchester & the Mid-Hudson Region, have been named to head up the CAI. Mr. Colletti will serve as CAI's Chairman and Mr. Pepe, its Executive Director.

"The mission of the Construction Advancement Institute," explained Mr. Colletti, "will be to actively foster, promote and implement cutting edge technology that will result in higher quality, union-built, construction for lower costs, the goal of all building owners. We will be addressing educational, safety, health, legislative and construction innovation issues and promoting those contemporary solutions that will benefit all members of the building team. Our ultimate mission, really, is to make Westchester an attractive location for more corporate headquarters.....a great place to not only work, but to play, as well."

Mr. Colletti explained that contractors are voluntarily providing funding for CAI, based on the number of hours worked by a variety of craft unions with everyone equally committed to promoting a quality building product.

CAI programs will be overseen by a Board of Trustees comprised of prominent leaders from the building construction industry in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley, including Andrew Arena, Dominic Calgi, Mark Fante, Jay Martino, Roger A. Moyer and Michael Waiters.

The CAI's goal will be to promote and communicate the best solutions to today's construction problems to as broad an audience of not just peers, but private and municipal building owners, architects and engineers, as well.

The Construction Advancement Institute has already begun to take the initiative on an educational front, explained Mr. Pepe. It recently sponsored a special seminar entitled, "Building Tomorrow's Schools Without Turmoil and Problems" for school officials in Westchester and the Mid-Hudson region. The seminar was very well-attended and received by school officials from more than 30 towns and school districts.