President's Letter

2026 President's Letter

There is a scene in Woody Allen’s movie Annie Hall, when he and Diane Keaton are waiting online at the New Yorker theatre, and a person behind them in line is pontificating loudly on many subjects including the meaning of writings by Marshall McLuhan (“Understanding Media” and “the medium is the message”). Woody Allen calls him out as not knowing what he is talking about and when the man disagrees, Allen pulls Marshall McLuhan from off-screen, who proceeds to tell the man how wrong he is. Allen asides to us, the movie audience about how we all wish we could do this. Active participation in CSI lets me do this. I sound like a genius because I have access to all sorts of experts in their fields, so I’m able to find the answer to any question that may be tossed in my direction. If I don’t know it, I know someone who does, just off screen.

CSI, and more specifically the people I meet via CSI, enables me to stand out from my peers, to become more valued in the eyes of my Employer and our Clients. Active participation and interaction in our Chapter multiplies that value by becoming more fluent in the various views and motivations of all the different parties required to realize the goals of our most complex projects. CSI’s "Four Cs" mantra for construction documents: Clear, Concise, Complete, and Correct applies to all forms and settings of communications. Those skills are honed by both the business and social interactions in our CSI MetroNY Chapter.

I have a request - please reach out to our Chapter Board with what you think our Chapter should do to help you succeed and excel. Then participate, if even a little bit, by attending events, joining or just helping committees and interacting with our Membership, to help us help you. While Professional Development is a chapter committee (focused on certifications), it’s also what we’re all working on for ourselves. CSI is much more than Specifiers or specifications; its’ advancement of our industry and ourselves both in it and leading it.

I look forward to an ongoing conversation with you all starting now, and in person starting Wednesday evening this September 10th ~5:30-8pm, at a midtown Manhattan location tbd.

Bob Drake, AIA, CSI CCS CCCA
[email protected] or [email protected] 
(c) (646) 787-5608 - (o) (646) 388-7469

2025 President's Letter

CSI Metro NY Chapter enters into 2025, the Board extends a belated happy and healthy 2025 to all of our members with the hope that our AEC community has a successful year.

Since the onset 2025 CSI Metro NY Chapter has 10 new members that joined our community, all were greeted with a warm welcome email and provided with the information for our next Chapter Event. Some of the new members were focused on securing their CDT and participating in our prior Chapter Events.

Our chapter in conjunction with the CSI Northeast Region, in offering on line CDT courses of our members. The faculty includes Paul Fogarity, who joined our Chapter in 2024, relocating from Chicago, who is a great addition to our team. The following is a the link to enroll https://nercsi.com/cdt-preparation-class/ and attached is the Bio’s of Faculty.

This years Chapter Events commenced with an interactive meeting on illumination at the Lutron showroom in January; then followed by an “Evening with Moody Nolan at Gensler’s which was well attended by both Chapter and Non-Chapter Members. Prior to the presentation, attendees were able to interact with Jonathan Moody, the principal of the largest African owned Design Firms in the USA, prior to detailed presentation.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

March 12th for interactive event focused on

 “Women in Construction”

which will be located in the women owed brewery.

https://csimetrony.com/meet-reg1.php?id=48

 

 April 9th slated for a Project Tour

Program Committee currently finalizing the details on this event.

https://csimetrony.com/meetinginfo.php?id=49&ts=1724776331

 

The Northeast Region Conference:

May 15th -17th

@ Plymouth Harbor Massachusetts

https://nercsi.com/2025-region-conference-about-schedule/

Our Nominating Committee will sending out the ballot for the 2025-2026 Board at the end of next month which will include the following Board Positions: President; (2) Vice Presidents: Secretary; Treasurer; Director and NE Region Director 

Please reach out to Kori Camacho-Önal AIA, CSI, CDT, NOMA @ [email protected] if you have interest in becoming a Board Member for our Chapter. 

As current President of the Chapter, if any member or non-member has any questions regarding CSI and/or the inner workings of the out Chapter please feel free to reach out to me.

Oliver Wilhelm

CSI Metro NY Chapter President

[email protected]

2024 President's Letter

As CSI Metro NY Chapter commences with the new 2024-2025 year, I reach our to all our Chapter Members to try to attend as many of the Monthly Events as possible; whether a discussion with a Panel; a presentation at one our NYC Showrooms, such as Patcraft;  or a tour of a facility that one of Chapter members has coordinated. Our Program Committee has worked hard over the summer and into the Fall with some Board assistance in developing the 2024-2025 monthly events.

Our September Chapter event at Patcraft entitled “Starburst” was creative event that required all that attended to answer 4 questions that our Program Committee developed that allowed everyone who attended to know a little more about attendees. The new dynamic was well received.

Our goals are to entice more of our members to join our upcoming events. Since March of this year our Chapter was fortunate to grow with the following 16 new members and returning members.

Carlos Fighetti,Adaamson -Associates; 9/19       Paul Scalici, Empire Sales; 8/10

Robert Klein; 8/28                                                 Robert Dudek; 8/23

Jean Brunel Joseph; 8/18                                     Thomas Schaperkotter; 7/30

Rowan Georges;  7/4                                            Charles Collado, NYPA; 5/29

Ed Thompson; 5/12                                              Joleen Alison, Fine Print Specs; 5/22

Preis Christopher, Conspectus; 4/10                    Eileen Lee; 4/5

Michelle Carchedi; 3/22                                        Mostafa Hassan; 3/20

Neil Shah; 3/16                                                     Paul Donio; 3/13

October is a big month for CSI as several of our members are attending the CSI National Conference in Houston Texas in the middle of the month. I personally, hope that they have a great experience in meeting and engaging with other CSI members from all over the country; sharing their experiences with Metro NY and listening to how other Chapters function. The presentations will be enlightening and informative and wish that I was able to attend. 

The following week, on October 23rd our Chapter Meeting will be at Steelcase and in honor of Halloween all members attending will be able to explore the creativity the painting.

The November Event on the 13th will be a social time celebrating the Thanksgiving and we would welcome all members to share in their experiences to make this night to remember.

In December, the Metro NY Chapter is hosting our Annual Holiday Event on December 11th at a special restaurant on the upper east side of NYC called QUATORZE, which has graciously hosted our event for the past 2 years. We are hoping to get enough members registered to have the entire restaurant METRO NY.

As current President of the Chapter, if any member or non-member has any questions regarding CSI and/or the inner workings of the out Chapter please feel free to reach out to me.

Oliver Wilhelm

CSI Metro NY Chapter President

[email protected]

2023 President's Letter

To all CSI Metro NY Chapter Members:

In being re-elected as President of our Chapter for this upcoming year, there was a great sense of energy and enthusiasm that was expressed over the summer months during our three (3) Summer Planning Meetings. During those Meetings, both Board members and Core-Members of our Chapter contributed in developing our plan for the upcoming year.

Our Program Committee has done a great job in planning our monthly chapter events both in Showrooms with interactive presentations and tours of recently completed projects within the five boroughs. We respectively hope that our Chapter Members find the time in their busy schedules, to attend these events that will be posted on our website, https://csimetrony.com.

One of our main events for the year has already taken place in August, our annual LI/ Metro NY Golf Outing. This was the first time we have had the outing since 2020 due to COVID issues. The event was well planned and run by Arnie/Ken along with, a number of Chapter volunteers “thank you all who made it possible”. 72 golfers took to the course comprised of members, sponsors, invited guests, and two special guests: CSI CEO Mark Dorsey and CSI Board Chair Elect William Sundquist. The successful golf outing has set the tone for what we feel will be an exciting year for our Metro NY Chapter.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events throughout the year.

Metro NY Chapter is growing...

Since July, our Chapter has 7 new members... great news. Our expectation should be that continues in the upcoming months. These new members as well as future members need to be welcomed & engaged with the hope that they become an integral part of our Chapter.

To my fellow Board Members & Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs:

As I have said in the past, there is no “I” Team, but Mark Dorsey corrected me at the Golf Outing noting, there is “ME”. Heard that one for the first time and chuckled.

The 2023 Board has some new faces, which is exciting, and as a Board we need to work together; assist each other when needed; and work with our Committee Chairs to continue to grow and make our Chapter as good or even better than last year.

Let's not rest on our laurels. With a spirited new Board in place, let's work together, assist each other as needed; and work with our Committee Chairs to continue and make the “Member Experience” the best it can be for all our members As I said in the past and continue to mindset this Board and Chapter is a TEAM.

Oliver Wilhelm

CSI Metro NY Chapter President

[email protected]

2022 President's Letter

Dear CSI Metropolitan New York Community,

As CSI embraces a new era of change and growth, the success of our chapter will come to fruition through the engagement of our members. Each having a valuable, significant role as we balance the need for experience and new ideals – a chapter built for everyone.

Addressing each piece of the puzzle will allow us to find success:

  • Excellence and advancement through financial, procedural, and technological compliance.
  • Increased outreach and communication across all platforms such as the new chapter website, our revamped newsletter, and updated chapter social media channels.
  • Dynamic programming and project tours that address educational topics that are relevant and critical to all stakeholders.
  • Encourage and provide opportunities for professional advancement and certification.
  • Celebrate member and chapter accomplishments all while keeping an outward view: attracting a diverse collaborative membership that positively impacts its community.

We are at the epicenter of where design, architecture, building materials, specifications, technology, and construction meet. The sum impact of the choices made in chapter and the built environment is large in scope. As we move forward on a shared path, we must keep in mind our mission and purpose: to advance building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance.

At CSI Metropolitan New York Chapter we are a family, always there rooting for each other and extending a helping hand. I look forward to my term as President, collaborating with you, and seeing where this journey takes us.

Best Regards,
Erin R. Spadavecchia

To all 2018-2019 Members,

As I reflect on my 30 plus years in CSI I wonder why aren’t more people joining or staying members?  I’ve seen a number of names go on and off the membership list without being able to match a face to the name.  Now I know it’s hard to match up this kind of information if you only see someone once or twice (or never at all) so how do I fix that? What I’d ask is for everyone who is a member to attend at least two events (either meetings or social events), look for me, introduce yourself & give me a business card. Maybe I’ll even take a selfie to help me remember you. 

Now why would I want to do this? I’ve met a lot of people through CSI both locally, regionally and nationally. Some in passing and some who have become lifelong friends. You never know when you may need to reach out to someone for advice or assistance with an introduction so make friends whenever you can and use CSI as a place to do that.

If you’re a member or not try asking yourself these questions:

  • Who do I know at the chapter?

  • Who can I contact at the chapter?

  • Where are we meeting this month?

  • When is Holiday Gathering & End of Year Awards Dinner

  • Where are the Golf Outing & other social events

If you can’t make it to one of our events let me know why so the chapter can become more flexible to meet your needs.  Send me an email ([email protected]) or give me a call (516-236-6779) because without your feedback we’ll never know what we need to do.

Summer’s almost over so put September 12th on your calendar and look for me at our first meeting of Fiscal Year 2019.

Kenneth Raikowski, ASSAA ABLOY

To all 2017-2018 Board Members,

I come into the second term of my Presidency of the CSI Metro NY Chapter with a sense of excitement that our Chapter this year will excel and grow. Our Chapter has new engaging board members who will bringing new energy and ideas that allow this Chapter to flourish. This will include engaging discussions at Chapter Meetings on key topics that are vital in the day in and day out lives of all CSI Members. The above together with the engaging programs that will be  developed by Tom Lanzelotti and his committee; along with planning visits new recently completed projects that will allow our member to see the built environments of our Chapter members this is all a positive direction.

I am excited with our new 2017-2018 Board; as we have engaging young members such as Divya Gupta, Renee Pecquex, Tali Chese, Jeremy Douglas and Dan Redy that can bring new and fresh ideas to our Chapter. We also have returning members, such as Ken, Allison, Bill, Tom and Taso that bring knowledge and experiences that will guide our younger board members. It is my intention, despite my daily management duties as an Architect, to do my best to instill continuous communication with all board members to ensure that our Chapter Committee Chairs get our support, to be able to provide our Chapter members with engaging/ and knowledgeable experiences at all CSI events this year. At the August meetings, our VP's Allison and Ken, have divided up the Committee's so that each of the VP's should be should engaging with the Committee Chairs on a monthly basis to ensure that all committees are doing their part for our Chapter.

I started this letter with "I", but the intention is that I mean, we as a TEAM. This chapter can only achieve our goals as a team. The communication is key, and we all have buy schedules. This will work as we will all participate and assist each other is the fiscal year of 2017-2018 of the Metro NY Chapter. We can then carry this momentum to future Boards.

Increase Communication:

This communication goal will start with the improvement of our C51 Metro NY website, to allow our Chapter to engage better with the design community, the Construction community, specification writers and all of product representatives. That together with internal focus from each of the Board Members and Committee Chairs to improve the information that was developed in the 2015 C51 Metro NY Chapter Binder. This together with our Committee Chair, Gina Cali, who has finally through a new member, Han-Hui Ling from Henry Company, will be getting assistance is communicating all the details on upcoming Chapter Meetings and C51 Metro events through all our social media as well at our current Meet Up account. Our chapter will also be looking to improve/ test the beta system of Constant Contact at the beginning of 2018.

The unfortunate event where C51 Metro NY lost a dear friend and Board Member in Steve Merrill created and tough communications year with Margaret Matz, stepping in to try to be Secretary of the Chapter, while being the Committee Chair of the Emerging Professional! Education Committee.

This upcoming year Renee, a CSI Member, has stepped up and engaging since July of this year in developing in the role of Secretary and being able to provide out Board and Committee Chairs will all the meeting minutes and committee reports in a structured way like the way Steve managed the position. However, and as I stated previously, this is not an "I" but a team. Committee Chairs should be sending in their reports at the beginning of each month, so that Renee can together with the Meeting Minutes of the previous Board Meeting, can be sending out all the documents at least 7-10 days prior to the meeting so our Board can review prior to the upcoming Board Meeting. I am requesting that all Committee Chairs try to adhere to this request which note require Renee to chase for the reports. Team Work is what we need in 2017-2018 to make the Chapter one of the best in the nation.

Divya, a new CSI Member, has also stepped up to replace Tom Scriven as the new Treasurer for the Chapter. Tom, a seasoned veteran, in being Treasurer for the last three years, took Divya under his wing to give her the best opportunity to succeed in going through all the information he acquired while he was the treasurer. That is Team Work, thanks Tom and welcome Divya.

Bill Dubois/ Tom Lanzelotti, board on the NE Region of CSI, needed to step down as NE Region Representative for our Chapter. Dan Redy, a new and engaging CSI Member, has assumed the ro le of our Chapter's NE Region Representative and will be providing our Team/ Chapter with all the information that is coming from CSI National through the region. Dan will be a great asset to our Board this year. Dan, I will provide you with any support needed.

Increase Membership:

The last goal of our Chapter is to grow the membership of our Chapter. In our September meeting at Lutron, is appears that we are getting either 2-3 new members, with include Virginia, Devorah and David all of which have contacted me after the September Chapter meeting to request information. This is only a start, and Andrea will be engaging them to join the Chapter. Jeremy has also indicated that he will be bring in at least 5 new potential members at our monthly Chapter meetings. Our Membership Chair, Andrea should be the busiest of all the chairs with engaging the new members, reaching out to the current board members that need to renew membership, which is easy since National CSI is sending monthly reports for expiring membership.

So, I end this welcome note with the following:

  • Thank you Tom Lanzelotti for bringing me into CSI

  • I welcome my 2017-2018 Board Members and Committee Chairs to return this Chapter to being one of the best in the Nation.

  • We are a "TEAM" and let's work together to achieve all the goals stated above.

Oliver Wilhelm AIA, CSI