Zurica is the first building systems engineer—and only the second woman—to receive this honor.
New York, NY, June 9, 2016 –Dagher Engineering Principal Josephine Zurica, 36, has been named the 2016 American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York) New Principal of the Year for her significant contributions in the form of ideas and service to the consulting engineering community. Zurica is the first building systems engineer—and only the second woman—to receive this honor, granted since 2001 to an ACEC New York member who has been a principal for less than five years. The award ceremony was held during the Council’s statewide annual meeting, June 8, at the Union League Club.
A registered Professional Engineer with degrees in Mechanical Engineering (B.S., Manhattan College) and Environmental Engineering (M.S., Michigan Technological University), a LEED accredited professional and a Certified Passive House Consultant, Zurica joined Dagher in 2007 straight from a tour of duty with the Peace Corps in Panama. She rose rapidly in the firm, achieving the position of Principal in 2013, at the age of 34, and is currently involved in all aspects of running the 30-person engineering firm.
“Josephine exemplifies the traits of an outstanding engineer, manager and active community leader. She is one of our firm’s most valuable and inspirational members, and we’re delighted that she has been recognized by ACEC New York with this honor,” says Elias Dagher, senior principal and founder of Dagher Engineering.
Consistent with Dagher’s commitment to sustainable design, Zurica’s achievements include steering the LEED certification and commissioning process for more than 15 buildings throughout New York City and the Northeast, acting as principal engineer on the design of a geothermal system that services 14 buildings on Princeton University’s campus, and providing critical leadership in the engineering design effort of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) study on the feasibility of implementing Passive House standards on tall residential buildings in New York.
Her building systems design work on national and international projects has received highest honors for Engineering Excellence from ACEC New York, including A Blueprint for Passive Design for Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, an educational facility in Nairobi, Kenya; and Beyond LEED to Net-Zero Buildings for the Housatonic River Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Demonstrating her dedication to improving the world through engineering and sustainable design, Zurica is a member of Engineers Without Borders and has served as a mentor for high school students in the ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York. She is very active on ACEC New York’s Metro Region Energy Code Committee, and is at the forefront in supporting the City of New York’s implementation for the new energy code and achieving the City’s goal of 80 percent carbon reduction by 2050.