Under President Mitul Patel, the society will honor nine industry leaders, present student scholarships and welcome New York’s top building officials.
Our Bureau
New York, NY
The Society of Indo-American Engineers and Architects (SIAEA) will hold its 44th Annual Gala on Saturday, November 14, at 6 p.m. at Pier 6o, Chelsea Piers. The black-tie evening, themed “Beyond Boundaries,” will bring together engineers, architects, contractors, public agency leaders and students fora night of awards, scholarships and networking.
It will be the second gala led by SIAEA President Mitul Patel, PE. Patel, the founding principal of KeRi Engineering PC, is the 20th president since the society was founded in New York City in 1981 and the youngest in its 44-year history. Last year’s gala, also at Chelsea Piers, drew more than 800 members and guests.
“Our founders came together so that Indo-American professionals would have a seat at the table,” Patel said. “This gala is where that work shows. Students get support, young engineers meet the people who lead our public agencies, and our members build relationships that last well beyond one evening.”
A Presidency Focused on Connection
Patel was sworn in by Edison Mayor Sam Joshi in March 2025. At that ceremony he pledged to raise the society’s visibility through technology, improve communication with members and share knowledge through focused seminars.
Since then, SIAEA has held technical seminars on subjects such as fire and smoke dampers and decarbonization design. This fall it launched a new website with a member directory and private messaging, so members can find and contact one another directly. President-Elect Chitra Radin, ENV SP, who is due to succeed Patel in 2027, wrote in this year’s gala journal: “Our opportunity is to imagine boldly and build intentionally.”
“Our mission is rooted in uniting and recognizing professionals of Indian heritage across the architecture and engineering industries,” said Gala Chair and past president Nayan Parikh. “A special thank you to our President, Mr. Mitul Patel, for his inspiring leadership throughout the year.”
City and Regional Leaders to Attend
The keynote speaker will be Paul A. Ochoa, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Design and Construction, who since April 2o26 has led the agency’s $34 billion portfolio of public projects.
Featured dignitaries will include Ahmed Tigani, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings; Amanda Rogers, Director of Construction for Major Capital Projects at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, whose work includes the Gateway Tunnel and the Midtown Bus Terminal replacement; and New York Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn of the 42nd District.