Peter Tully, president of New York-based Tully Construction Company; Frank McArdle, managing director of the General Contractors Association of New York; and former Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey are the recipients of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) award. The 2001 “ARTBA Award” winners were announced at the association’s mid-year meeting in October in New York City.
The ARTBA Award was established in 1960 to annually recognize individuals from the public and private sectors who have made outstanding contributions toward advancing the broad objectives of the association. This award is the highest honor that ARTBA bestows on an individual. Past recipients include many distinguished leaders in the transportation construction industry as well as a dozen U.S. congressmen, 10 U.S. senators, two U.S. secretaries of transportation and two state governors.
Peter Tully was recognized for his company’s efforts to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. Within hours, the firm had 15 pieces of equipment helping clear debris and assisting in the search for survivors. Seventy-five Tully Company trucks arrived on the scene. In the first week, more than 300 Tully employees and subcontractors were at Ground Zero day and night in 12-hour shifts, including most of the firm’s top management. The company later was selected as one of four major contractors charged with managing World Trade Center clean-up operations.
Frank McArdle, the second recipient of the 2001 ARTBA Award, immediately responded to a call from Mayor Giuliani’s office seeking assistance from local contractors at the World Trade Center site. McArdle helped mobilize the construction industry’s response and virtually spent every waking hour over the following six months at the Ground Zero management trailer. He became the industry’s main troubleshooter, working tirelessly with city officials, emergency response personnel, contractors and other groups to coordinate recovery efforts.
“Frank McArdle and Peter Tully represent what is best about the U.S. transportation construction industry,” ARTBA President Pete Ruane said. “Ours is an industry of doers, incapable of sitting on the sidelines in times of need. It is an industry teeming with men and women who instinctively know what is the right thing to do — and they just do it. Not tiring until the job is done.
“In selecting Peter Tully and Frank McArdle as recipients of the 2001 ARTBA Award, the association hopes to elevate public awareness and shine the spotlight on our industry’s enormous contributions to American society and our way of life,” Ruane said.
Jane Garvey was recognized as the public sector recipient for her distinguished service and leadership on transportation issues. Garvey served as Federal Aviation Administrator from 1997 to 2002 and played a key role in responding to the security and safety challenges facing the nation’s civil aviation system following the Sept. 11 attacks.
Previously, Garvey was acting administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and deputy FHWA administrator from 1993 to 1997. During that time, she chaired the agency’s “Innovative Financing Initiative,” which resulted in more than $4 billion in transportation investment in more than 30 states. She helped direct the Clinton Administration’s efforts to enact the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995. Garvey also has served as director of Logan International Airport in Boston, and as commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works.
“Jane Garvey has been a powerful and effective voice on the need to invest in all modes of transportation to strengthen the American economy, improve safety and maintain our quality of life,” Ruane said. “Her advocacy at the federal, state and local levels for improved transportation facilities has benefited all Americans.”
Today's top stories
