An alumnus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BS in civil engineering, Joseph Nicolla began his career in 1979 as a project manager with The Pyramid Companies. Through two years with the Syracuse, New York-based firm, Joseph Nicolla oversaw the development of two regional mall projects and managed all pertinent financial functions, including construction contracts as well as budgeting and cost reporting.
Upon the completion of the regional mall projects, Joseph Nicolla was hired to serve as a project manager and partner of The Edgewater Companies, where his responsibilities included site selection, land acquisition, and due diligence review for the development of more than 1 million square feet of office space for IBM. He also directed the work of more than 20 employees. Since 1988, he has functioned as a partner with Columbia Development Companies.
As such, Joseph Nicolla focuses on the administrative and due diligence functions required to secure proper permits and approvals for the construction of projects serving the education, medical, and hospitality sectors. A recipient of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District’s James M. DiNapoli Award, he has also earned distinction for his nonprofit support from the Boy Scouts of America, the American Cancer Society, and JDRF.
