For the first time in its 135-year history, John Gallin & Son, a New York City-based construction management and general contracting firm now in its fifth generation as a family-run business, for the first time has named three non-family members as principals.
The new principals are Andrew Cortese and Robert Kondracki, vice presidents of operations, and Walter K. Ziegler, vice president of estimating and purchasing. Ziegler represents the fourth generation of his family to be employed by the firm; Cortese, first generation and Kondracki, second generation.
“This is an opportune time to reward the expertise and loyalty of three of our long-time executives who have well earned their new status,” said Christopher Gallin, president. “Our business volume continues to grow, and it’s no longer practical to operate strictly within the scope of a family-run enterprise.”
Gallin, who is part of the fourth generation of the company’s founder, notes that the firm’s business volume has increased by 50% in the past three years.
Cortese, a summa cum laude graduate of Pratt Institute, holds a B.S. degree in construction management with a minor in architecture. He oversees project performance targets for scheduling, quality and budgeting. In his 27 years with the firm he also has served in the roles of project manager, estimator and superintendent.
Kondracki, who joined the firm in 1986, manages all field operations, reviews change orders and ensures that requirements are met for the New York City Department of Buildings. The Montclair State University graduate holds a B.S. degree in management and marketing. He previously served the firm as project manager and supervisor.
Ziegler, who oversees all estimates and purchasing activity, has been with the firm since 1983, beginning as a laborer, then foreman, superintendent and project manager. He holds a B.A. degree in business management from Seton Hall University and did post-graduate work at the New York University School of Construction Management.
