2026 Syracuse Builders Exchange Awards - CNY Construction Contractor

Elizabeth Landry

Returning to the community for the first time in several years, the 2026 Syracuse Builders Exchange Awards mark an exciting time for the construction industry in Central New York. Previously called the Craftsmanship Awards, reinvigorating this opportunity to recognize the talent, hard work, and achievements that drive the construction community forward was a priority for the SBE.

“I felt it was important to bring it back,” said Mike Cowden, Vice President of Murnane Building Contractors, Inc., who played a key role in facilitating the recreation of the awards. “We have had several employees win an award over the years and I know it meant a lot to them and made their families proud to see them recognized…. The key component to me will always be the awards for the craftsmen and tradespeople who so seldom get the recognition they deserve.”

The redesigned awards event was well received by the SBE Association’s 1,100 member firms as there were many nominations to consider in most of the categories, including Project of the Year. The Awards Committee is comprised of Board members who have a passion for honoring those in the industry who exemplify the characteristics associated with excellence in their scope of work. Committee members deliberated, debated, and scored each nomination, ultimately selecting each category’s winners.

“The Committee is grateful to everyone who took the time to prepare and submit nominations and appreciates the commitment to showcasing the exceptional quality of craftsmanship represented throughout our region,” said Earl R. Hall, Executive Director of the Syracuse Builders Exchange. “The level of skill, dedication, and pride reflected in these projects made the selection process both exciting and challenging. It’s clear that our industry continues to set a high standard of excellence, innovation, and professionalism.”

Each year, the Syracuse Builders Exchange will host this traditional event as it is an important part of the fabric of the organization, its membership, and the industry. The SBE is pleased to share this year’s award winners, who represent excellent craftsmanship in each of their categories.

Interior/Exterior Finishes

Project: Hewitt Union Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY
Award Winner: Mike Demm, Sherman Construction Inc.
General Contractor: Northland Associates, Inc., Liverpool, NY
AE Firm: Cannon Design, Buffalo, NY
Owner: New York State
Nominated by: Jeff Sherman, Sherman Construction Inc.

Jeff Sherman, President of Sherman Construction Inc., nominated Mike Demm, a union Carpenter Foreman with over 20 years of industry experience who’s worked for Sherman Construction for 10 years. Sherman said that Demm worked closely with Project Manager Tim Brann, managing the ordering of materials and specialties, of which this project had many. Demm organized crews daily and completed many specialty items during the project.

“I nominated Mike because of the stature of the building and all the intricate and unique designs,” said Sherman. “This was a 120,000-square-foot, three-story building in the middle of the SUNY Oswego campus. It’s a state-of-the-art academic broadcasting facility…. The area is surrounded by acoustical wood and acoustic panels, floating metal pan ceilings, skylights, and large observation windows where Mike and his team installed all the millwork picture-framing each large opening…. Every room had to be STC-rated because it’s a broadcasting facility. It was tested by a third party and ultimately every room passed inspection. This was truly a challenge to build and coordinate with other trades, and Mike made it look easy.”

Sherman also expressed how important the awards are for recognizing the talent and hard work of the men and women who build the intricate infrastructure the community uses every day.

“This award is a great way to celebrate these amazing craftsmen. I could not be happier for Mike and his team that transformed such a huge academic facility into a show piece in the center of a local university,” said Sherman.

Carpenter Nate Rice has worked for Murnane Building Contractors, Inc. for 15 years. He was nominated by Shawn Murphy for the outstanding work he completed during the construction of SUNY Cortland Cornish Van Hoesen, which was designed by JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Rice’s contributions during the construction of the award-winning project include delegating everyday tasks and communicating and planning with the subcontractors and the College faculty. When asked to select to a highlight of the project, he emphasized team collaboration.

“[A highlight was] watching the job come together step by step and working with the great team that made this job a success,” said Rice, who has been in the carpentry industry for 30 years.

Looking back on his decades-long career so far and receiving this recognition for a job well done, Rice said, “Every day there is a new challenge, and it keeps me on my toes. I feel very blessed to be honored for doing a job that I love.”

Structural

Project: SUNY Cortland Cornish Van Hoesen, Cortland, NY
Award Winner: Nate Rice, Murnane Building Contractors, Inc.
General Contractor: Murnane Building Contractors, Inc., East Syracuse, NY
AE Firm: JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C.
Owner: State University Construction Fund
Nominated by: Shawn Murphy, Murnane Building Contractors, Inc.

Mechanical

Project: Centrio Syracuse University Chilled Water Plant Modernization, Syracuse, NY
Award Winner: Andrew Gauthier, BOND Building Construction Inc.
General Contractor: BOND Building Construction Inc., Medford, MA
AE Firm: CHA Consulting, Inc.
Owner: Syracuse University
Nominated by: Jesse Conklin, BOND Building Construction Inc.

Leading a career in the construction industry since 2010, Andrew Gauthier is a Senior Project Manager who’s worked for BOND Building Construction since 2023. He was nominated by Jesse Conklin for the work he completed on the modernization of the Centrio Syracuse University Chilled Water Plant. Including a 15,000-square-foot addition, renovation to the existing structure, replacement of the two existing steam-driven chillers with five new 2,500-ton electric chillers, and a new 38kV electrical substation, the project sought to modernize aging infrastructure while providing additional resiliency, adding redundancy, and lowering emissions to its 270-acre main campus, which serves more than 22,000 students.

“As the project manager, it’s my responsibility to manage all aspects of the project inclusive but not limited to: safety, client satisfaction, contracts, change management, document control, schedule, budget, equipment deliveries, building/ROW permitting and team growth,” said Gauthier, adding that a highlight of the project was the milestone when all the new equipment was installed and being able to tackle the final mechanical and electrical connections prior to fill, flush, and start-ups.

Rather than viewing the project as just an industrial building, to Gauthier it’s “the epicenter that drives energy to the hospitals and university keeping the building systems on, so that all of the tremendously hard-working people that choose to live, work, learn and stay within those places have the environments they need to do the great work and healing that they set out to do.”

Reflecting on this achievement, Gauthier said it’s humbling and has allowed him to think of the many members of the BOND Building team who worked alongside him “We’re truly honored to be recognized for such an achievement,” he said.

Carpenter/Superintendent Brad Mierke has worked for Murnane Building Contractors, Inc. for 30 years, but he’s been in the construction industry for 37 years. He was nominated by Murnane Building Contractors Vice President Mike Cowden for the work he completed during the construction of SUNY Cortland Cornish Van Hoesen, which was designed by JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. During the project, Mierke served as the Project Superintendent.

A major highlight Mierke recalled from the project was reaching substantial completion on schedule, and during his career he shared that he enjoys “seeing the end result of everyone’s hard work and knowing I played a part in it.”

Reflecting on winning this award from the Syracuse Builder’s Exchange, Mierke focused on how the success of the project resulted from a team effort. “I appreciate being recognized,” he said. “I had a lot of help from my Murnane co-workers and subcontractors.”

Supervision

Project: SUNY Cortland Cornish Van Hoesen, Cortland, NY
Award Winner: Brad Mierke, Murnane Building Contractors, Inc.
General Contractor: Murnane Building Contractors, Inc., East Syracuse, NY
AE Firm: JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C.
Owner: State University Construction Fund
Nominated by: Mike Cowden, Murnane Building Contractors, Inc.

Project of the Year

Project: TTM Technologies, East Syracuse, NY
Award Winner: John Murphy, Hueber-Breuer Construction Company, Inc.
General Contractor: Hueber-Breuer Construction Company, Inc., Syracuse, NY
AE Firm: QPK Design, LLP
Owner: TTM Technologies
Nominated by: Maggie Goss, Hueber-Breuer Construction Company, Inc.

Andrew Gerardi has 25 years of experience in the plastering and stucco industry, and he’s worked for J&A Plastering & Stucco Contractors LLC for 20 years. His work on the STEAM School Renovations in Syracuse earned him this award nomination from Joseph DiBello. For Gerardi, the best part about his job is the connection to his family. “I love being able to follow in my father’s footsteps every day,” he shared.

During the project at the STEAM School, Gerardi and his team worked to restore the ornamental plaster in the school’s auditorium to its original beauty. Supporting the historical design of the space was a significant aspect of the job for Gerardi.

“The highlight was seeing the detail and craftsmanship that the original craftsmen did and then being able to recreate their original concept so that it still looks, today, the way they intended it to look,” he said.

When asked about how it feels to receive such recognition from the Syracuse Builder’s Exchange, Gerardi said, “It is an honor to win this award and be recognized by your peers for a project that we, as a team, were very proud of.”

Specialty/Other

Project: STEAM School Renovations, Syracuse, NY
Award Winner: Andrew Gerardi, J&A Plastering & Stucco Contractors LLC
General Contractor: Murnane Building Contractors, Inc., East Syracuse, NY
AE Firm: LaBella Associates, PC
Owner: County of Onondaga
Nominated by: Joseph DiBello, J&A Plastering & Stucco Contractors LLC

Electrical

Project: Bluefors Inc, Manufacturing, Warehouse and Office Expansion, Syracuse, NY
Award Winner: Brian Chmielewski, Demco New York Corp.
General Contractor: VIP Structures, Inc., Syracuse, NY
AE Firm: VIP Architectural Associates
Owner: Bluefors Inc
Nominated by: Jim Dalpe, VIP Structures, Inc.

Foreman Brian Chmielewski has been working in the electrical construction industry for about eight years and has been with Demco New York Corp. during that time. He was nominated by Jim Dalpe of VIP Structures, Inc. for the work he completed on the Bluefors Inc, Manufacturing, Warehouse and Office Expansion project. Working as the foreman overseeing day-to-day field operations, Chmielewski said his team was responsible for installing the electrical systems, including power distribution and lighting, while coordinating closely with other trades, which required a high level of organization and attention to detail to stay on schedule and ensure quality.

During the project, Chmielewski said, “the highlight was seeing the team come together to execute a complex project successfully. Everyone stayed focused and took pride in their work, and it showed in the final product.”

Chmielewski shared that what he enjoys most about his job is working with the crew, seeing the progress each day, problem-solving, and helping to develop the next group of electricians coming up in the trade by passing on his knowledge to team members.

When asked for his thoughts on being recognized with this award, he said, “It’s an honor. This recognition reflects not just the work we put into this project, but also the foundation built by the older generation of electricians who taught us the trade. I got to this point because of their knowledge and work ethic, and I try to carry that forward every day. I’m proud to be part of a team that continues that standard and delivers high-quality work.”

The Syracuse Builder’s Exchange is extremely proud of this year’s winners and looks forward to continuing the awards program in years to come. From mechanical to structural, finishes to electrical, supervision to specialty, and Project of the Year, it’s an honor for the SBE to provide a platform that recognizes the hard work, talent, and excellence in craftsmanship displayed by the construction industry within our community.

It’s not too early to begin thinking about the 2027 SBE Awards – keep an eye out for top talent at your current and future jobsites and make sure to take photos of the progress along the way. The SBE is excited to recognize another group of amazing craftsmen and hopes to receive even more nominations next year.