This month marks my fifteenth anniversary with Skyline Restoration. I vividly remember the day I accepted John Kalafatis’ invitation to join the organization. The founder of the company, a leader in the building restoration industry, had given me an opportunity and a significant role in the realization of his —admittedly unconventional— vision which did not primarily focus on profits, but on making this industry better, safer, educated and well-trained. A place where individuals and companies have the opportunity to grow and prosper while preserving the buildings and the history of our city.
Over the years, Skyline has received many awards for the high quality of craftmanship and professionalism its workforce and executive teams have demonstrated in the execution of the various projects the organization has undertaken. Skyline has earned its position at the top of the building envelope restoration industry and it is the company of choice for some of the most respected building owners, property managers, architects, and engineers who trust Skyline for its integrity, experience and exemplary performance.
Skyline has also founded and co-founded non-profit organizations like the New York City Special Riggers Association (nycsra.org) and the Andromeda Community Initiative (andromedainitiative.org). The latter was created to offer free educational and workforce development programs, and job-related training that prepares students for gainful employment in the construction and building restoration industry. Many of Skyline’s executives serve on the boards of well-renowned institutions, including ICRI Metro-NY, IIBEC, NYCSRA, ACI, among others.
Skyline’s philanthropic arm, The Skyline Charitable Foundation, continues its mission to promote the well-being of individuals of all ages and backgrounds by helping them overcome challenges that otherwise limit their physical, mental and social growth. Early last year, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and while most of the construction industry was at a standstill, we launched —and continue to operate— RAP4Bronx (rap4bronx.org), a relief access program to collect and donate food and essential supplies to first-line workers, construction workers, families, seniors and vulnerable residents in The Bronx and beyond. Since then, we have been able to deliver over 1.3 million meals to over 100 locations.
And last but not least, this newsletter —SKYlines— Skyline Restoration’s quarterly publication launched in the Spring of 2010 and now in its eleventh year, continues to serve as a means of sharing information, ideas, and special events with members of our industry and, as always, we invite your questions, your comments and your input.
I am very proud to continue contributing to the realization of this honorable vision with the same passion and focus, regardless of the challenges and risk this industry endures. I am looking forward to seeing you at Skyline’s 13th Annual Charitable Golf Classic on July 12, at the Old Westbury Golf and Country Club. It’s for a good cause!
All the best,
Eva Hatzaki, editor