Two industry titans inducted into BILD Hall of Fame

GREATER TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Two industry titans whose notable buildings have changed the GTA landscape are the newest inductees into the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to recognize significant leaders who have made a lasting contribution to the industry and the association. Inductees are community builders who have planned, designed and built homes across the GTA.

Inducted this year is Julie Di Lorenzo, President of Diamante Urban Corp, a leading Toronto builder and prominent voice for the real estate development industry. She was at the forefront of the city's development boom in the mid-late 1990s with landmark projects like One Balmoral, Domus in Yorkville, Phoebe on Queen and One City Hall, many of which have been recognized with BILD Awards.

She led the association's Board of Directors as President in 2005 at a time when provincial growth planning policies were emerging and she became the voice of intensification, encouraging members to think differently about how they do business.

"She was a visionary and a pioneer. Most of all, during a time when members of the home building and land development industry were uncertain about growth plan objectives she provided leadership, engaged members in the discussion and brought government partners to the table," said BILD Chair Steve Deveaux.

The second inductee is Al Longo, one of the association's longest-standing members. He began his building career at the age of 18 as a labourer in his father's construction business and by 20 he had started his own business making concrete blocks. By 23, Al was building apartment buildings in Etobicoke and formed his first construction company with his brother. He later went on to build schools, churches, factories and office building across the GTA.

He joined in 1954, served on the Association's Board of Directors in the 1960s and was elected President in 1971. He was one of the driving forces behind the association's early support of the National Home Show, which the association is the sole owner of today.

"Al is part of a generation of community builders who literally built our region from the ground up," said Deveaux, "and this is one small way we as an industy association can recognize that achievement."

"This industry has a proud history and our Hall of Fame recognizes the leaders and community builders who have played an instrumental role in it."

About BILD
With more than 1,450 members, BILD, formed through the merger of the Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association and Urban Development Institute/Ontario, is the voice of the land development, home building and professional renovation industry in the Greater Toronto Area.  BILD is proudly affiliated with the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders' Associations. www.bildgta.ca 

SOURCE Building Industry and Land Development Association

or photos, contact Amy Lazar, Manager of Communications at BILD. Amy Lazar, Manager of Communications, Building Industry and Land Development Association, 416-391-3452 or 416-543-3903, [email protected]