Alumnus and Former President Milo Riverso to Receive National Academy of Construction's Top Service Honor

The award, named for NAC founder Dr. Richard L. Tucker, recognizes an individual whose long-time support has helped the organization grow and prosper. Tucker established the National Academy of Construction in 1999 to honor those who have substantially impacted the engineering, design, and construction industries throughout their careers.

A 1981 graduate of Manhattan with a bachelor of engineering, Riverso has dedicated 45 years to program management, construction, design management, and higher education before moving into consulting work. He was inducted into the NAC in 2014 and quickly became one of its most active members.

"He was instrumental in our annual meeting in Charleston, S.C., in 2015," said Edd Gibson, NAC President and CEO. "He's always volunteered to be engaged in different things within the organization. His service as NAC Chair was at a really important time. It was coming out of COVID and we changed to a President and CEO mode, so he's just done wonderful things in the service of NAC during that transition and as a leader at NAC. He's very well deserving of this award."

During his two-year term as NAC Chair in 2023 and 2024, Riverso championed the NAC Safety Symposium and advanced industry-wide safety initiatives. Under his leadership, the organization significantly restructured its governance policies, updated its bylaws, identified and implemented new revenue sources, created a new budgeting process, and issued formal guidance on construction safety practices, including innovations in personal protective equipment. He is also a Diamond-level lifetime giver to the NAC.

"What sets Milo apart is that his service has never been transactional; it has always been purposeful," said Sam Sleiman, 2026 NAC Chair. "He has championed safety not as a policy matter but as a moral imperative, and he has led with the kind of integrity and vision that makes institutions stronger long after a leader's tenure ends. The Richard L. Tucker Award recognizes sustained, meaningful support that enables NAC to grow and prosper, and no one is more deserving of that recognition than Milo. We are proud to call him a member, a leader, and now a recipient of this honor."

Riverso said he joined the NAC because "it's the preeminent organization that recognizes the giants in our industry." On learning he was now counted among them, he said, "Receiving the 2026 Richard L. Tucker Outstanding Service Award from the National Academy of Construction is a profound honor. Dr. Tucker dedicated his career to pioneering leadership, education and the continuous improvement of our industry. To be recognized by my peers with an award in his name is incredibly humbling. This recognition reinforces my commitment to supporting NAC's mission, sharing our collective expertise, and preparing the next generation of industry leaders who will build our nation's future."

The honor adds to a remarkable year for Riverso, who was also elected to the National Academy of Engineering's Class of 2026, among the highest professional distinctions awarded to an engineer in the United States. His distinguished career includes leadership roles as president and CEO of STV Group Inc., where he oversaw projects including the Freedom Tower, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum complex, and the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport, and as president and CEO of the New York City School Construction Authority.

Riverso's ties to Manhattan run deep. Beyond earning his degree on the hill, he served as an adjunct professor in the civil engineering master's program, sat on the Board of Trustees, and received the De La Salle Medal in 2014 in recognition of his corporate leadership and dedication to the institution.

Previous recipients of the Tucker Award include Edd Gibson, Dominick Servedio, Jerry Eyink, Jim Porter, Lillian Borrone, and Margaret R. (Maggi) Walker. The award will be presented to Riverso on September 25 at the Academy's Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

About Manhattan University
Founded in 1853, Manhattan University is an independent Lasallian Catholic institution located in Riverdale, NY that embraces students of all faiths, cultures, and traditions. The mission of the University is to provide a dynamic student-centered educational experience that prepares graduates for lives of personal development, professional success, civic engagement, and service to their fellow human beings. Manhattan University offers programs that integrate a broad liberal arts education coupled with a concentration in specific disciplines in the arts and sciences with professional preparation in business and engineering, ensuring graduates will excel in their chosen fields. The University consists of the Kakos School of Arts & Sciences, the O'Malley School of Business, and the School of Engineering. For further information, please visit www.manhattan.edu.