{"id":214426,"date":"2025-12-15T11:30:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=214426"},"modified":"2026-05-25T11:38:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T15:38:30","slug":"csi-news-and-celebrating-2025-honors-and-awards-recipients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/csi-news-and-celebrating-2025-honors-and-awards-recipients\/","title":{"rendered":"CSI News & Notes: CSI welcomes CSC’s Franjic as honorary member; and celebrating 2025 honors and awards recipients"},"content":{"rendered":"

CSI Welcomes CSC\u2019s Nick Franjic as Honorary Member<\/h3>\n

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At the 2025 CSI National Conference, CSI bestowed special recognition on Nick Franjic, executive director of Construction Specifications Canada (CSC), naming him an Honorary Member.<\/p>\n

Honorary Membership is CSI\u2019s most prestigious distinction, awarded to individuals who have provided distinguished service to the construction industry in areas aligned with CSI.<\/p>\n

CSI board chair William Sundquist, FCSI, says, \u201cNick\u2019s three decades of leadership have shaped collaborations across North America and elevated both CSC and CSI. Nick\u2019s vision and dedication have forged deep and lasting partnerships between our organization\u2014partnerships that continue to benefit every member of the design and construction community. Nick\u2019s impact on our industry is both broad and profound.\u201d<\/p>\n

Building enduring partnerships<\/em><\/p>\n

Franjic has been a driving force behind the long-standing partnership between CSI and CSC, helping strengthen North America\u2019s design and construction community through lasting, collaborative relationships among volunteer and staff leaders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen William called to inform me of the CSI board\u2019s decision, I was speechless, and so grateful and overwhelmed,\u201d Franjic says. \u201cAnd I have to say, I\u2019m glad it wasn\u2019t a Zoom call. Those of you who know me are aware of how emotional I can be.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I hung up the phone, I sat for a few minutes and asked myself, \u2018Why me?\u2019\u201d says Franjic. \u201cTo be honored in this way by an association that I have had dealings with for over 30 years is not just the icing on the cake but the cake itself, too. I will forever cherish the friendships that have developed from day one to today.\u201d<\/p>\n

A bond across borders<\/em><\/p>\n

Members of both CSI and CSC widely supported the honor, recognizing Franjic\u2019s professional contributions as well as his consistent kindness and friendship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave it some thought, and what I\u2019d like to pass on is the hospitality that he shows when my wife and I attend the CSC Conference,\u201d says Ronald L. Geren, FCSI, Distinguished Member, CCS, CCCA, CDT. \u201cHe is a big guy\u2014you can\u2019t miss him\u2014but with a bigger heart and a deep passion for CSC. He has helped to bridge the cross-border cooperation between our two associations, building a bond with a strength that few other associations have ever experienced.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of us are passionate about this industry. When you hit the board level, that seems to be especially true. But board members come and go,\u201d says CSC president Kelly Sawatzky RSW, CSP. \u201cNick has been with us for 30 years. He\u2019s not just a font of historical knowledge of the organization; he\u2019s a strand of yarn that knits people together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sawatzky adds, \u201cNick champions standardization and ensures collaboration between our organizations. He helps ensure that Canadian voices are heard, and I think these voices have given breadth and depth to the standards, so much so that they are being adopted all over the world. CSI can be so proud that this cooperation has resulted in such beneficial resources for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

A lasting impact<\/em><\/p>\n

Sundquist says, in addition to all Franjic\u2019s accomplishments, \u201cPerhaps what stands out most about Nick is not just his list of accomplishments, it\u2019s his style of leadership. Those who have worked for him describe him as humble, steady, and deeply committed to the people behind the work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Franjic acknowledged numerous CSI and CSC colleagues\u2014including past and present board leaders and CSI CEO Mark Dorsey\u2014for their roles in the associations\u2019 shared success.<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout my time at CSC, I\u2019ve been incredibly, incredibly fortunate to have the support of an executive council, board of directors, and many members both professionally and personally,\u201d says Franjic. \u201cAnd I feel blessed to be able to say I have a CSI family as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you truly for this incredible honor,\u201d he says. \u201cI will treasure it wherever my life takes me. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Celebrating All of 2025 CSI Honors and Awards Recipients<\/h3>\n

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At the recent CSI National Conference, CSI recognized dozens of chapters and individuals whose efforts continue to make the organization more relevant and impactful across the industry.<\/p>\n

Each honor reflects the dedication, passion, and loyalty of those recognized.<\/p>\n

Join us in congratulating all 2025 award and honor recipients! See the full list at csiresources.org\/awardsrecipients.<\/p>\n

Congratulations, CSI scholarship winners<\/em><\/p>\n

The CSI Foundation supports aspiring AECO professionals from underrepresented communities through scholarships for CSI Certification and National Conference attendance.<\/p>\n

2025 CSI National Conference scholarship recipients<\/p>\n