Meet a NYCHA Construction Partner: Jacobs 

As part of an ongoing series, we’re featuring the construction partners who work with NYCHA to ensure safe, decent, and affordable homes for thousands of residents across the city. In this latest installment, George Guzman, construction manager of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing at Jacobs, discusses the firm’s partnership with NYCHA, specifically for Superstorm Sandy Recovery & Resilience projects and the management of boiler operations that provide vital heating and hot water services for residents.  

A Jacobs employee for the past 10 years, Mr. Guzman currently oversees the operation and maintenance of temporary boilers for Sandy Recovery sites at 14 NYCHA developments across the city. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy’s destruction, NYCHA’s Recovery & Resilience Department has been dedicated to providing safer homes for NYCHA residents in coastal developments through building reinforcement projects, storm surge protection, and various infrastructure upgrades. 

During his time at Jacobs and through his past work with other companies, Mr. Guzman said he has established relationships with NYCHA staff that are the foundation for a strong, successful partnership in service of residents.  

“I’ve been doing NYCHA work for more than 25 years; I’ve always made myself available and understood that the most important thing is the residents,” Mr. Guzman said. “I enjoy my work and I’ve been able to build a good relationship with people at NYCHA. When I come in to do something I get a lot of assistance from NYCHA, and thankfully we are always able to get the job done and keep the residents happy.”  

A nationwide firm, Jacobs has a longstanding partnership with NYCHA and has been regularly relied upon for performing various tasks and contracting services.  

“We enjoy working with the New York City Housing Authority; they’ve continued to offer us work and we’ve been able to come through for them,” said Mr. Guzman, adding that Jacobs has been awarded approximately 25 to 30 NYCHA contracts during his years with the firm. “When we’re there to take care of something, they’re always there to assist us. It’s been a partnership that works.”    

Mr. Guzman recalled how Jacobs’ partnership for the Sandy temporary boiler projects began when NYCHA converted to gas-fired boilers to replace the oil-fired boilers that provided emergency heating and hot water services at impacted developments following Superstorm Sandy.  

“We were there for the installations in 2014 and we continue to do the day-to-day operations of this equipment,” Mr. Guzman explained.  

Mr. Guzman described the gas-fired boilers as being more efficient, cost effective, and environmentally friendly than oil-fired systems, while also helping to minimize outages and service disruptions. 

“I think it was a great decision that NYCHA made [to install gas-fired boilers],” he said. “Everyone came together and they made life better for the residents.” 

In managing and maintaining the Sandy boiler operations, a top priority for Jacobs is to prevent service interruptions. The firm works closely with NYCHA partners such as the Asset & Capital Management Division and Heating Management Services Department to address potential impacts for the community. 

“Whatever we do is about minimizing any type of interruptions for the residents because we understand the impact it has across NYCHA,” Mr. Guzman stressed.  

For Mr. Guzman and his team, that means being prepared to respond at any time of day, regardless of weather conditions, to make repairs and resolve a potential service emergency. This includes conducting a “boiler watch” during snowstorms and extreme cold temperatures to ensure the heating equipment is running properly.  

“I’m on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he stated.     

NYCHA’s Senior Vice President for Capital Programs Joy Sinderbrand commended Mr. Guzman’s efforts to assist whenever called upon for the sake of ensuring vital resident services at NYCHA.  

“Mr. Guzman has repeatedly gone above and beyond to ensure that developments with temporary boilers due to construction still provide NYCHA residents with consistent heat and hot water,” Ms. Sinderbrand said. “His heating system troubleshooting acumen is extraordinary, and he works collaboratively across divisions to make sure repairs are done as quickly as possible.”  

While the official heating season runs from October 1 through May 31, Mr. Guzman noted that maintaining the boiler operations is a year-round responsibility for Jacobs, as the systems are the source of hot water for developments as well.   

“It’s a big undertaking, but I’m proud of my work and I take a lot of pride in it; this is what I love doing,” he said.  

Mr. Guzman praised his experience working with NYCHA staff over the years and said it has been particularly fulfilling to make a direct impact on the lives of residents.  

“Professionally, for me, this has been the most rewarding project that I’ve been a part of, especially on the human side, because I see the impact we’re having on the residents in the community,” he concluded.   

Featured photo caption: Construction Manager of MEP George Guzman (third from left) with some of the Jacobs team, including (from left) Garry Mosley, James Marc, Donald Trammell, Christine V. Oates, Robert Coghlan, Christopher Stumpo, and Mustafa Mohammed.