Not recently active
1944-2023
Michael Horodniceanu
A New York City icon. That is perhaps the best way of describing Michael Horodniceanu, National Academy of Construction Class of 2017. Michael passed away at the age of 78 on June 22, 2023. Throughout his career he served New York and the industry with leadership roles in the public, private, and academic sectors.
Born in Bucharest, Romania, he emigrated to Israel as a teenager, studying civil engineering at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology before moving to New York City with his wife in 1970. In 1978 he received his PhD in Transportation Planning and Engineering from then Polytechnic Institute of New York (now NYU Tandon School of Engineering). His public sector contributions began not that long after, serving as New York City Traffic Commissioner for four years (1986-1990), as part of Mayor Ed Koch’s administration. During that time, he oversaw a 75,000 spaces parking system, the largest in the United States.
Prior to his role as NYC Traffic Commissioner, Michael worked at Urbitran Group (acquired by AECOM), returning after this first tour of public service where he ultimately became Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. He returned to public service in 2008, serving as President of MTA Capital Construction where he lead what was then the nation’s largest capital program - over $26 billion - through execution. Notable megaprojects during his tenure included East Side Access, Second Avenue Subway, No. 7 Line Extension, and Fulton Street Transit Center. He also oversaw the completion of South Ferry Terminal. Each of these projects indelibly changed New York City. An effective communicator, he led by example, spearheading the MTA’s use of Design/Build and Design Build Operate Maintain (DBOM) and integration of advanced technologies to improve service for future customers.
Retiring from the MTA, he returned to academia, as an industry professor in NYU Tandon’s Department of Civil and Urban Engineering. Importantly, he became the inaugural chair of the newly launched IDC Innovation Hub, building on his commitment to innovation that was a characteristic of his career.
Michael’s visionary leadership, his dedication to the city he loved, his ability to bring diverse stakeholders together, and his commitment to excellence benefit millions of New York City commuters every day.
Michael was a member of The Moles and Director of the Community Service Society of New York and recipient of numerous industry awards. He is survived by his wife Bat-sheva (Baci), his sons Oded and Eran, and their families.
The National Academy of Construction and our entire industry will miss him greatly.
--Robert Prieto, 2023
Born in Bucharest, Romania, he emigrated to Israel as a teenager, studying civil engineering at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology before moving to New York City with his wife in 1970. In 1978 he received his PhD in Transportation Planning and Engineering from then Polytechnic Institute of New York (now NYU Tandon School of Engineering). His public sector contributions began not that long after, serving as New York City Traffic Commissioner for four years (1986-1990), as part of Mayor Ed Koch’s administration. During that time, he oversaw a 75,000 spaces parking system, the largest in the United States.
Prior to his role as NYC Traffic Commissioner, Michael worked at Urbitran Group (acquired by AECOM), returning after this first tour of public service where he ultimately became Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. He returned to public service in 2008, serving as President of MTA Capital Construction where he lead what was then the nation’s largest capital program - over $26 billion - through execution. Notable megaprojects during his tenure included East Side Access, Second Avenue Subway, No. 7 Line Extension, and Fulton Street Transit Center. He also oversaw the completion of South Ferry Terminal. Each of these projects indelibly changed New York City. An effective communicator, he led by example, spearheading the MTA’s use of Design/Build and Design Build Operate Maintain (DBOM) and integration of advanced technologies to improve service for future customers.
Retiring from the MTA, he returned to academia, as an industry professor in NYU Tandon’s Department of Civil and Urban Engineering. Importantly, he became the inaugural chair of the newly launched IDC Innovation Hub, building on his commitment to innovation that was a characteristic of his career.
Michael’s visionary leadership, his dedication to the city he loved, his ability to bring diverse stakeholders together, and his commitment to excellence benefit millions of New York City commuters every day.
Michael was a member of The Moles and Director of the Community Service Society of New York and recipient of numerous industry awards. He is survived by his wife Bat-sheva (Baci), his sons Oded and Eran, and their families.
The National Academy of Construction and our entire industry will miss him greatly.
--Robert Prieto, 2023
Website Design built by Austinite Web Design