Gerald R. Sigal is the founder and chairman of SIGAL Construction Corporation, an award-winning general contractor headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from NYU and a Construction Management AAS Degree from New York City College of Technology. Gerry’s career spans more than 50 years, starting with a 17-year tenure with Tishman Realty Construction Company of New York and culminating with the establishment of his own general contracting company in 1977.
Forged by his own matriculation from field supervision to all facets of project management, Gerry’s philosophy is centered on the belief that service, integrity, and respect are vital components in providing quality construction services for the commercial real estate market—both public and private sectors. His personal philosophy is the foundation of SIGAL’s corporate culture and extends to its relationships with clients, employees, subcontractors, and vendors. Resonating with all members of the SIGAL Team, this shared mindset has fostered the growth of long-term client relationships, management staff, and the corporation itself into one of Washington’s premier commercial construction companies. Today, SIGAL is a multi-talented organization with over 100 employees whose technical and professional training includes both architects and engineers. With an average of 35 projects in some phase of development or construction at all times, SIGAL is also consistently ranked amongst the Top 10 General Contractors throughout the Washington Metropolitan area as researched and gathered by Washington Business Journal.
Gerry’s own project management experience includes high-profile projects such as Philadelphia's Centre Square Complex and New York's World Trade Center and Madison Square Garden office complexes. The SIGAL portfolio encompasses a wide variety of commercial real estate projects for a diverse cross-section of end users throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Federal and local governments, law firms, corporations, hospitality, institutional, nonprofits, technology, and healthcare. Notable projects include One Metro Center, Evening Star Building, Tower Oaks, USDA Headquarters Modernization, Mortgage Bankers Association Headquarters, Patton Boggs Conference Center, The George Washington University Public Affairs building, Four Seasons Hotel expansion/renovation, Jefferson Hotel renovation/historic preservation, and the new Chancery of the Republic of Turkey. In addition, SIGAL is a founding partner of US Green Building Council (USGBC) and helped in the development of guidelines for both LEED certification and professional accreditation.
A native of New York City, Gerry and his wife, Dr. Ellen Sigal—founder and chairperson of Friends of Cancer Research, have made Washington their home. Their family includes two sons and two granddaughters. Gerry’s passion and philosophy for service have extended into his own civic commitments which include presidential appointments, industry associations, and institutions of higher learning. In 2005, he was honored with NYU Colleges’ Alumni Distinguished Service Award and spoke at NYU’s commencement exercises that year. The following is an overview of Gerry’s community involvement:
LOCAL BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- Associated Builders and Contractors
- American Institute of Constructors
- Board of Trade, Research Development Task Force
- Chief Executives Organization
- Construction Industry Strategy Committee
- DC Building Industry Association
- DC Chamber of Commerce
- DC Private Industry Council (Commissioner)
- DC Public School Foundation (Co-Chairman)
- DC Students Construction Trades Foundation
- Economic Club
- Federal City Council
- Greater Washington Growth Committee
- Green Collar Jobs Advisory Council (Sworn In – July 8, 2008)
- State Energy Sector Partnership
- The National Learning Center – Capital Children’s Museum (Board of Governors)
- Washington Building Congress Board of Governors (2002- 2003)/(2008-2009)
- Washington Urban League (Past Board Member)
- World President’s Organization, Washington Metro (Founding Member)
- Washington Business Forum
- Young President’s Organization, Washington Metro (Founding Member, Chair 1991-1992)
ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARITIES
- American Jewish Committee
- Washington, D.C. Board of Directors
- Civic Achievement Award (November 1993)
- Economic Development Roundtable (Co-Chairman)
- D.C. Jewish Community Center
- Jewish National Federation, Washington, D.C. (Council)
- Model U.N.
- National Jewish Foundation, Washington, D.C. (Board of Directors)
- State of Israel Bonds Development Corporation (Past Chair. 1992-1993)
- National Building Museum (Board of Trustees)
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Presidential Appointee Holocaust Memorial Council (1998–2003)
- Campaign Fundraising Committee/Facility Operations Committee
- Co-Chair of New Archival Building
- Founding Contributor
- Washington Hebrew Congregation
UNIVERSITY BOARDS
- The George Washington University Medical Center (Advisory Council)
- The George Washington University (Medical Faculty Associates Board of Trustees)
- New York University (Faculty of Arts and Science Board)
- NYU-DC Steering Committee