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New Employees

By New Hires

Jonathan Fomenko, EIT, joined DiDonato Associates in 2024 and currently supports the Bridge Group on bridge inspection and design projects. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from SUNY at Buffalo and is a certified Engineer-in-Training (EIT). Jonathan brings over two years of experience as an Assistant Team Leader (ATL), providing bridge inspection services in NYSDOT Regions 4, 5, and 6, along with an additional year of experience on various transportation projects. He is also proficient in NYSDOT’s Bridge Data Information System (BDIS) software.

Thomas Hurley, PE, joined DiDonato in 2024 and brings 36 years of extensive experience in civil engineering, project and contract management, supervision, and dispute resolution. From 2008 to 2019, he served as Assistant Division Director for the NYS Thruway Authority (NYSTA) Buffalo Division, where he oversaw programs related to bridge inspection, right-of-way permitting, environmental compliance, real estate, and construction management. Prior to his tenure at NYSTA, Tom spent 20 years with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). He began his career as a junior engineer and advanced through the Structures Design and Construction groups. His responsibilities included developing structural designs, performing bridge load rating analyses, serving as Engineer-in-Charge, and later as a Construction Supervisor for large-scale road and bridge reconstruction projects.

Grayson Schaefer, EIT, joined DiDonato in April of 2025 and holds his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Slippery Rock University. He has two years of experience in civil and structural engineering design across a range of transportation and infrastructure projects. His project work includes bridges and culverts, light rail systems, airports, highways, and structural foundations. In addition, he has contributed to the structural design of scoreboards and video signage. Grayson previously interned with the Structural Team at DiDonato from 2022 through early 2023.

Adam Hanley, PE, recently joined DiDonato with over 11 years of experience in civil engineering. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Clarkson University. Adam has previously served as a SWPPP Supervisor and Inspector, where he was responsible for conducting site reviews and preparing inspection reports for a variety of projects. His experience also includes civil design, performing design calculations, and extensive work in AutoCAD.

2025 Milestone Anniversaries

By Anniversaries, News

2025 marks the following milestone anniversaries:

Tina McEwen – 25 years (May)

Bill Ratka – 25 years (June)

Matt Ziemba – 10 years (May)

Perry Dix – 10 years (June)

Chris Hulse – 5 years (March)

Justin Lucarelli – 5 years (April)

Jim Messana – 5 years (July)

Congratulations to all!

DiDonato Awarded Brick by Brick Infrastructure Award for Runway 5-23

By Awards, News

DiDonato is honored to be awarded the Brick by Brick: Infrastructure Award which highlights the best in real estate, construction and development. 

Finalist: Runway 5-23 Rehabilitation


Square footage: 4,842 linear feet if runway, 4,842 linear feet of taxiway, total of 175,000 square yards

Owner/developer: Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

Purpose: Reconstruction of the main runway pavement at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport provided a 20-year pavement life. Reconstructing the main runway required coordination among the designer and team, contractor, NFTA, security, FAA and the town. Having the main runway down requires community outreach as flight patterns change. The amount of asphalt was massive (77,000 tons of P-401 asphalt) and much work needed to be done overnight. The ability to keep this very important project on schedule and within budget was crucial as FAA funding requires strict adherence to both.

General Contractor: Union Concrete & Construction Corp.

Engineers: DiDonato Associates Engineering & Architecture

Electrical Design: C&S Cos.

Other Contractors: RDM International Inc, Foit-Albert Associates, Atlantic Testing Labaratories, Terracon, Woolpert.

Timeline: September 2022 – October 2023

Cost: $27.7 Million