Ones to Watch in Long Island engineering companies

Robert Bier

Vice President, Business Development

T.M. Bier & Associations Inc.

As vice president of business development, Bier has beeninstrumental in the growth of the Glen Cove-based control systemsengineering company. A LEED accredited professional, Bier has playeda major role in a wide range of building automation and energymanagement projects. His sales skills have helped the company enterinto long-standing relationships with Fortune 500 companies andclosely held businesses in a wide range of industries. Bier is anactive member of the U.S. Green Building Council's Long IslandChapter and served as its treasurer from 2007 to 2009.

Steven J. Collins

Vice President of Corporate Development

Island International

A 25-year veteran of the building materials industry, Collins iswell-versed in construction, with particular expertise in thebuilding envelope. He currently serves as vice president ofcorporate development for the Calverton-based firm, whichmanufactures and installs unitized wall systems. Prior to joiningIsland International, the University of Michigan graduate heldsenior management positions for several companies. He was vicepresident of corporate development and marketing for Dryvit Systems,president of Permatone Coatings Inc., senior vice president of I/CSystems and president of IMI Inc.

Christine Donaldson Boccia

Executive Manager

Donaldson Traditional Interiors

Donaldson Boccia recently became the first female board member ofthe Association of Wall-Ceiling & Carpentry Industries of New Yorkin the organization's 93-year history. Donaldson Boccia, who tookthe reins of the Huntington Station-based company in 2007,represents the fifth generation in the Donaldson family to work inthe business, which is more than a century old. In her tenure, shehas more than doubled the firm's annual revenue. Donaldson Bocciawas recently nominated for the Salute to Women of Achievement 2011award, to be presented by the New York Chapter of the ProfessionalWomen in Construction.

Eric Howell

Design Engineer

Audio Unlimited

Howell recently joined Hicksville-based Planet Verte, which doesbusiness as Audio Unlimited. Howell specializes in the design andtuning of audio systems for commercial spaces, auditoriums, livemusic venues and home theaters. Most recently, Howell was anacoustical consultant for SH Acoustics in Milford, Conn., where heanalyzed architectural sound isolation and acoustical factors,performed acoustical measurements and prepared reports detailingacoustical designs and recommendations. His resume includes projectsfor the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Va., St.John's University Academic Center in Queens and the Empire StateBuilding in Manhattan.

Yariv Kafri

CEO

Ziggurat Systems

Kafri recently celebrated his first anniversary with the Lynbrook-based firm, which provides building information modeling -computerized models of architectural, mechanical, electrical andother systems of a building - to streamline construction projects.Kafri's career path previously took him to Tokyo, where he served asgeneral manager of the Asia Pacific region for VocalTec and washeavily involved in the early adoption of Voice over InternetProtocol technology in the telecommunications market. He has sinceserved as vice president of sales for a media messaging firm and aspresident of a closely held construction management firm, both inManhattan.

Charles Keeling

Safety Director

Gershow Recycing

For more than five years, Keeling has served as safety directorof Gershow Recycling, which has six locations in Long Island. Hisresponsibilities include planning, developing and coordinating theoccupational safety and health of the firm's personnel, equipmentand environment. President of the Long Island Chapter of theAmerican Society of Safety Engineers, Keeling has more than 25 yearsof diversified safety experience. During his tenure at Gershow, hehas spearheaded several large-scale training and disasterpreparedness exercises with local fire departments and otherorganizations. Prior to joining Gershow, Keeling was safety managerfor Tully Construction, where he worked on the World Trade Centerdisaster recovery and cleanup.