Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer of California has been presented with the Security Industry Association award for 2013 Legislator of the Year. The organization recognized Boxer’s “tireless dedication to school safety” and presented the veteran lawmaker with the award in a ceremony on Capitol Hill. Boxer has worked hard to enact the School Safety Enhancements Act of 2013, which provides funding for the Department of Justice Secure Our Schools grants program.
In November, Turner Construction Company announced that Abrar Sheriff has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of Turner International. As President and CEO, Sheriff will primarily be responsible for advancing the company’s strategy to broaden Turner International’s market presence. Sheriff first joined the company’s Kansas City outpost in 1997, and also served as vice president and general manager of Turner in Dallas.
Quackenbush Artchitects + Planners of Columbia, S.C., has welcomed interior designer Whitney Meeks Steinbrecher to its team. Steinbrecher most recently served as a senior design and project manager at GMK Associates, also of Columbia, and has worked on multiple corporate, hospitality and senior living design projects and renovations.
The Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) recently named David W. Waggoner, AIA, CEFP, LEED AP, BD+C, as the chair of its board of directors. Waggoner is currently the vice president and director of program management services at Atlanta-based Heery International. He is responsible for service quality and innovation in the firm’s program management practice.
The Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Cypress, Texas recently named Samir Patel as the new assistant superintendent for facilities, construction and support services. Patel is a registered engineer, and was previously employed as a physical plant engineer for the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Robert Hasson, the long-time superintendent of MSAD 51 serving Cumberland and North Yarmouth, has been named deputy executive director of the Maine School Management Association, bringing in-depth knowledge in a range of areas, including labor relations, strategic planning and school improvement. Hasson, who in his new role also will serve as executive director of the Maine School Superintendents Association (MSSA), will take over the position in November.
David Otterness was recently promoted to senior project manager for Willis A. Smith Construction of Sarasota, Fla. Otterness has been with the company for 11 years, and has worked on multiple large-scale education projects. As senior project manager, Otterness will now coordinate construction operations both on and off-site, and will be responsible for scheduling and budget evaluation. He is a graduate of the M.E. Rinker Sr.
Judith P. Hoskens, REFP, LEED AP, Cuningham Group Architecture, was the recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) annual conference in Indianapolis.
WASHINGTON — The Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) recently announced its for new construction and Lee J. Brockway Awards for renovations at its annual conference and exposition in September in Indianapolis, Ind. The awards were presented for outstanding planning and inspired architectural design of high quality learning environments to six exceptional projects.
C.W. Driver, a builder serving California since 1919, has announced the promotion of Richard Freeark, LEED AP, to senior vice president of the firm’s San Diego office. Freeark will oversee the office operations and all C.W. Driver projects within the region. Freeark is an industry veteran of 34 years with a specific expertise in the higher education and health care construction markets. Throughout his career, he has been involved in several award-winning projects.
