City & State - the premier Media Organization dedicated to covering New York’s Local and State Politics and Policy, reports construction is not just a thriving industry in New York, it’s the key to addressing some of the State’s most pressing issues.

It is at the core of every debate over the State’s housing crisis, with advocates calling for ways to increase the number of affordable housing units statewide.

New York City Area Airports continue to be reimagined as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey progresses on plans to make New York City’s front door as attractive as possible - from revamping terminals to untangling the maze of roadways servicing John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The Port Authority is also embarking on an ambitious new capital plan that will further modernize the Downstate Transportation Network, with a new commuter bus terminal, seaports of the future, improved bridges and tunnels, and upgrades to the PATH system.

Commuters will see other upgrades too, as work continues on the Gateway Project to build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River, which will one day lead to a newly redesigned Penn Station.

As such, City & State’s Trailblazers in Construction highlights many of the key players in this vital industry.

Among those singled out was Sam Capitano (pictured above), Business Manager for the Upstate New York Laborers District Council and President of Buffalo’s Laborers Local 210:

Before he became a Labor Leader, Sam Capitano started out mixing mortar. He’s a long-time member of Buffalo’s Laborers’ Local 210, where he was elected Business Manager in 2007 and saved its Pension Fund from insolvency after its assets were lost in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme. He’s served as a Special International Representative for the New England region for Laborers’ International Union of North America and leads the Upstate New York Laborers District Council. Capitano is also on the Board of the Erie County Harbor Development Corporation.

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: The 2026 Trailblazers in Construction - City & State New York

For More On Sam Capitano, Go To: ‘A Laborers’ Legacy:’ The Sons Of Peter Capitano Help Lead Laborers Local 210 ‘Into The Future’ - Father’s ‘Legacy Carried On’ By Business Manager Peter & His Twin Brother, Sam, Now An International LIUNA Rep - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York

Sam Capitano File Photo Courtesy Of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office