Last year Shay Atluru, president of DTC Engineers and Constructors in Hamden, Connecticut, joined our board of directors. Shortly thereafter, he invited me to New Haven to deliver a presentation to a diverse group of 50 professionals involved in reuse and recycling. The event was so successful at sparking interest in the TRP mission that we decided to open a Connecticut office.
Charles Paonessa (in New Britain) and Mike Yurish (in Wallingford) have joined TRP as Connecticut regional managers. Under their able leadership, TRP will begin implementing its integrated program of deconstruction, building-materials salvage, project management, consulting and green-jobs training on July 1, 2009.
Charles has been in the construction business since 1972 and owns Dura Construction Company, which specializes in site-improvement construction—everything from simple home improvement projects to sophisticated underground work. The company also sells pavers, bricks, mulch, sand, gravel and other hardscape supplies. Charles is board president of ReCONNstruction Center, a nonprofit used building-material outlet in New Britain. On a personal note, a major portion of his own home is built from used building materials.
Mike was introduced to restoration as a child, when his father restored a huge rundown Queen Anne home in White Plains, New York. Many years later, Mike bought an 1870 Victorian house in Red Bank, New Jersey, and completely restored it to its former grandeur. In addition, he restored a 1906 foursquare-style house and transformed a 900 square-foot ranch-style house into a 2,500 square-foot colonial. Mike was a founding member and treasurer of Preservation Red Bank, an organization dedicated to preserving that city's historical built environment. He holds a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Science.
Special thanks to Sherrill Baldwin of the Connecticut EPA for the time and energy she devoted to organizing meetings, educating the citizenry, and encouraging discussions and activities related to deconstruction and building-materials reuse. Without her support, it would have taken months, if not years longer to open this new and exciting region.
I will be in Connecticut on July 13 to meet with potential partners and other interested parties. On July 16, I plan to meet with public officials and concerned citizens. A separate meeting for contractors is scheduled for July 17. For additional information on these meetings please call one of the following:
Charles Paonessa 203.496.6467
Mike Yurish 203.496.6405
Ted Reiff 510.383.1983, extension 102
Reuse Contest
Our 2008 reuse contest was so successful that we've decided to sponsor the competition annually. Win TRP gift certificates redeemable for up to $225 worth of building materials at TRP and partner warehouses in Oakland, Pacoima, Chicago and Kansas City. All 2009 entries must be received by August 1. Click here for contest rules: thereusepeople.org/ReUse_Contest. |
