SOCOTEC Announces Four Promotions to Principal

Andrew Graceffa has over 20 years of professional experience working on numerous cultural institutions, multi-family residential buildings, commercial interiors, schools, and large urban developments. As an architect and experienced project manager, he specializes in the practical application of environmentally-conscious & net-zero design approaches and advanced materials research. In his new role as Principal, he will be comanaging, with Principal John Amatruda, a team of 25+ leading Energy and Sustainability professionals and looking to continue SOCOTEC’s longstanding client relationships while progressing growth into the rapidly expanding sectors of existing & new building decarbonization and geographical markets.  He has been a LEED Accredited Professional BD+C for 16+ years, a Fitwel Ambassador, an accredited Green Globes Professional, and a Certified Passive House Consultant. Key sustainable projects in which he has played a significant role include Hudson Yards, Warner Media HQ, numerous New York City School Construction Authority Schools, the New York City Center Theater, Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Drydock 2-3, Queens Plaza Park, Google Creative Labs, Hallets Point Tower 1, University of Connecticut’s Oak and Laurel Halls, the New Cassel Community Center, Queens Botanical Garden Educational Building, and the JPMorgan Chase Westchester Airport Hangar. Through Andrew’s experience in delivering well-designed, well-coordinated and detailed projects, he is able to bring a collaborative approach to the sustainable design and building process, help realize a client’s sustainability objectives and focus on the continuously changing sustainability landscape. 

Eric Vannier is a key leading Principal of SOCOTEC. With over 25 years of experience in civil engineering design, construction management, construction financing, real estate development and project consulting, Eric provides a unique perspective to owners, contractors, subcontractors, and their legal entities. He provides valuable advisory services from project due diligence, financial underwriting and design, to construction and project close-out. Eric specializes in estimating, scheduling, project costs, construction financing and project management. His experience extends to a variety of project types including commercial, industrial, infrastructure, environmental, and residential projects. He has successfully assisted clients in the resolution, preparation, and evaluation of a large number of construction disputes. In addition, Eric has provided expert witness testimony in trial, arbitration, mediation, and negotiated settlements. He has been designated and testified as an expert in legal proceedings on various topics such as cost and damages, estimating, scheduling and delay analysis, labor and equipment productivity, construction contracts, project management and project controls. Eric obtained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia. His prominent skillset has contributed to the success of clients in the Georgia region and beyond.  

Jeremy Schinasi, a Professional Engineer in the State of New York, has been a strong leader in our Building Envelope group since his graduation from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Civil Engineering. In his 10 years at SOCOTEC, he has provided tremendous value to both the company and its clients. Jeremy’s deep technical knowledge and commitment to high-value service have been displayed on projects ranging from early design concept through construction administration, as well as on post-construction investigations and dispute resolution. He leads a high performing 
team that has worked on monumental and high-profile projects like 425 Park Avenue, Queens Plaza Park, The Cornell Tech Graduate Hotel, and One Madison in New York City; The Lovejoy Wharf and 121 Seaport in Boston; One Bangkok in Thailand; and countless others. Jeremy is also actively involved in the merger and acquisition activity of the firm, most recently completing the transaction with Forge Engineering in Naples, FL. His breadth of experience both technically and managerially has proven invaluable for his time with SOCOTEC.