2012 Recipient:

Sam Weissman received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from New York University in 1955. He worked for one year as a structural designer followed by two years of military service as a civil engineer with the USACOE. He joined Ammann & Whitney’s Facilities Division in 1958. While there, he earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Columbia University in 1963.

In a career at Ammann & Whitney that has spanned 54 years, Sam has been involved in literally hundreds of projects. He has held leadership positions in the firm’s Facilities, Transportation and Construction Supervision Divisions as a partner and senior VP. He now uses his experience to provide guidance and mentorship to project managers and staff and is responsible for all contract review, risk management, and financial oversight. His experience includes research, design, project management and construction supervision for bridges, tunnels, highways, airports, transit systems, buildings; protected structures for defense installation; and structures subject to dynamic and seismic loadings.

The beginning to middle of his career was spent in the Facilities Division where he provided R&D, analysis and design for projects for nuclear and high explosive weapons effects and blast resistant structures. A few noteworthy assignments included the Anti-Ballistic Missile System Perimeter Acquisition Radar Facility, formulation of design criteria and site selection for missile bases for the Atlas Silo, concepts and designs for hardened control centers and armament facilities, and preparation of design manuals for civilian population protection against the effects of blast, shock and radiation. He was also involved with numerous conventional facilities including the restoration of the west façade of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. In mid career, he moved to the Transportation Division where he led efforts on highway, transit and bridge work including such noteworthy projects as I-10 Covered Deck in Phoenix, transit station designs in Boston, LA, Dallas, Washington and Atlanta, and bridge design, rehabilitation, and inspection services on major bridges such as the George Washington, Triborough, Throgs Neck, Bronx-Whitestone, Verrazano Narrows, and Golden Gate for clients including the PANY&NJ, NYCDOT, NYSDOT. NYSBA, NYSTA, ConnDOT, MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Golden Gate Bridge Authority, MassDOT, and abroad in Japan, Argentina, Indonesia and El Salvador.

Sam has received many commendations for his work throughout his career, including one from the White House. He has authored numerous technical papers and reports and has been published by the ASCE, NAS, NYAS, DOD, IBC, and others. Sam is a licensed Professional Engineer, a Fellow and Life Member of the ASCE, and past president–elect and director of the ASCE Metropolitan Section.

Past Recipients: