Founding partner of Gilsanz Murray Steficek, Ramon Gilsanz, has been awarded the 2021 National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) James Delahay Award.
The James Delahay Award is chosen by the NCSEA Code Advisory Committee and awarded to one individual who demonstrates outstanding individual contributions toward the development of building codes and standards. As NCSEA describes, “[The award] is given in the spirit of its namesake, a person who made a long and lasting contribution to the code development process.”
James Delahay was a structural engineer who left an incredible impact on the structural engineering community. A decades-long career of educating, advocating, and setting the standard for building codes, Delahay served on countless boards, committees, and associations to ensure safety among the engineering field and the communities of which they serve.
This year’s James Delahay award winner is Ramon Gilsanz. In his 40-year career as a structural engineer, he has worked on a wide range of new construction and renovation projects, and volunteered across the world to help communities in need.
Ramon actively contributes to the industry through several professional societies and committees including ASCE 7-16 and ASCE 7-22, American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the AISC committee on specifications. Ramon served on the NYC Department of Buildings’ Structural Technical Committee in 2008 and was Chair in 2014 and 2021, revising the NYC Building Code. He is also the Chair of the NYC Existing Buildings Code Development Structural Technical committee, whose building code is forthcoming.
Additionally, Ramon has participated in six post-earthquake investigative teams, hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, and led the WTC7 collapse analysis on the national ASCE-FEMA building performance assessment team.
“It is an incredible honor to receive such a special award,” said Ramon. “Thank you to everyone who has helped write the upcoming NYC Building Code. I am very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to participate in these efforts with you.”
Read more about 2021’s NCSEA Special Awards Honorees here.