Mark Perniconi (center) pictured with Tom Sorley (NAC president) and Maggi Walker (NAC vice president) at the pinning ceremony in Nashville.

The National Academy of Construction (NAC) has elected Mark J. Perniconi (BSCE 1974, MSCE 1976), retired executive director of the Charles Pankow Foundation, and Carlos M. Hernandez (BSCE 1976), CEO of Fluor Corporation, as members of its class of 2019. They were inducted October 24 at the NAC annual meeting in Nashville, TN. The new class includes 39 inductees. Perniconi and Hernandez were selected from more than 300 leaders who were considered for Academy membership.

The NAC cited Perniconi as a "proven leader in delivering meaningful results with impact through development and support of research for the design and construction community," and Hernandez, "known as a role model for diversity and for using his engineering and legal education to become a leader in the construction industry."

"The 2019 class has been selected not only for their leadership, but for their integrity and their dedication to the design and construction industry," said Wayne Crew, General Secretary of the NAC.  "New members such as Mark Perniconi bring added expertise to the Academy."

Other new members include: Joseph D. Adams, Ilker Adiguzel, Adjo Amekudzi-Kennedy, Samuel T. Ariaratnum, Howard A. Ashcraft, Jr., William C. Beck, Hillary Brown, William W. Brown, Daniel D'Angelo, Anne M. Elllis, Ralph J. Esposito, Daniel K. Fordice III, David W. Fowler, Donald D. Graul, Mark H. Hasso, Terence C. Holland, Randell H. Iwasaki, and Sabrina Kanner.

Also elected to the Academy were: Michael W. Lowder, Patrick MacLeamy, Joseph F. Malandro, James A. McConnell, Jr., Sean McGarvey, Malcolm G. McLaren, Christine Merdon, Christopher J. Mossey, Raymond M. O’Connor, James M. Owendoff, Eddy M. Rojas, T. Peter Ruane, SawTeen See, Lucio Soibelman, James Starace, Iris D. Tommelein, Shirley S. Tucker, and Eric S. Waterman.

Election criteria for NAC include leadership, exceptional service, a continued commitment to making a contribution, past recognition by peers for innovation, and being recognized as "best of the best."

Born and raised in Chicago, Perniconi's career led him to opportunities in Fresno and Los Angeles, CA, Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA. His career spans over 40 years in the development and construction of public works, commercial, retail, and residential projects. During his tenure at the Pankow Foundation, he was responsible for establishing numerous alliances and research funding coalitions with industry, public agencies, and the private sector. A licensed civil engineer and real estate broker, he holds bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering and an MBA from Purdue University. He is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Concrete Institute and a member of the Civil Engineering Advisory Council at Purdue. His alma mater has honored him with its Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award.

Carlos Hernandez

Carlos Hernandez is CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Fluor Corporation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and a JD degree from the University of Miami School of Law. Prior to being appointed CEO, Carlos was Fluor’s chief legal officer and was responsible for all legal affairs of the corporation, including corporate governance and compliance. He also served as secretary to the board. Fluor is the largest New York Stock Exchange-listed engineer, procure, construct (EPC) company with revenues in excess of $20 billion annually and operations in over 60 countries. He has been with Fluor for the past 12 years. Previously, he was general counsel and secretary for Arcelor Mittal Americas, a global steel company. Carlos is a member and past chair of the Purdue Civil Engineering School Advisory Council. He also is chair of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution. Among his many honors and awards, he is the recipient of the prestigious Robert H. Dedman Award for Ethics and Law, the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association Corporate Counsel Diversity Award, and the Purdue Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award.