PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear STA Members and friends,

On behalf of the Subcontractors Trade Association (STA), I thank our outgoing Executive Director Henry “Hank” Kita for his nearly ten years of service. He will be retiring at the end of February 2023.

Over the past decade, Kita has transformed the STA into an even more vital, recognizable, and change-making organization that is building New York better.

Kita’s successful guidance led to myriad accomplishments benefiting our members and the industry. Just one clear example is the effective legislative efforts of the Association, including several bills passed under his purview. These bills include

• Amendment to Public Authorities Law (Article 1774) (2014) – dramatically improved the change order process for subcontractors working with the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA).
• Reauthorization and Reform of M/WBE Law (2019) – increased personal net worth cap to qualify for M/WBE status and other reforms.
• Substantial Completion on Public Works Projects (2020) – defined “substantial completion” and prescribed timelines and procedures to be followed by public owners and contractors for prompt subcontractor payment.
• Construction Advisory Council on Public Contracting Reform (2022) – established a statewide advisory council to study public contracting issues such as delay damages, substantial completion, retainage, and M/WBE; STA will serve on the advisory council.

Kita spearheaded the initiative to reimagine STA events by holding some of the largest construction awards dinners in STA history, with between 500-600 guests attending annually over the last five years. Kita also began STA’s yearly “Speed Meeting” event that gives subcontractors unparalleled access to meet with procurement representatives from the top GCs in New York.

Many widely read industry publications and white papers were released under Kita’s purview. Notably, this Fall, the STA released our latest legal guide: “What do you do? How to Better Manage Contracts, Preserve Claims & Reduce Project Risk” (by Andrew Richards, KDV Law). The comprehensive guide was released to all members to help them run their businesses better and have a clearer understanding of construction contract clauses.

In March 2020, Kita helped lead our members through the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Constant updates, bulletins and industry news were fed almost daily from the STA, and he served as a point of contact for all members when dealing with running a business in a global crisis.

Kita brought many years of invaluable industry experience to the STA, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of the Building Trades Employers’ Association (BTEA) of New York. Benefiting the 26 trade associations BTEA represents, Kita managed vital safety initiatives, grant development, MWBE advocacy, and educational programs.

The subcontracting community and construction industry in New York City have benefited greatly from Kita’s tireless work. On behalf of the STA membership, I would like to thank him for his many years of dedication, both in our association and in his years prior in the industry.

While it is always difficult to say goodbye to good friends and colleagues, the STA Board of Directors wishes the utmost best to Hank Kita, his wife Melissa, and his daughter Hannah as he embarks on this next journey of his life.

I am excited to announce that Hank Kita will be receiving an industry award at the STA Annual Construction Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Gotham Hall in New York City.

Additionally, please feel free to send him good wishes and farewell messages to hkita@stanyc.com.

Thank you,
Anthony Acerra
Principal, ALC Steel
President, STA Board of Directors