Construction giant Nassib Saliba, builder of freeways, high rise buildings, dams and  bridges, cover.

Two brothers, Leon and Naseeb Saliba, were honored at the Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles by members of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral.
The Saliba brothers were integral in the founding of the Cathedral. After World War II ended, it became apparent that St. George Orthodox Church, which at the time served all of Southern California, was too small to accommodate all the worshippers. The Haddad brothers, Amean and Holline, donated a large piece of land to erect a church that would later become a Cathedral for the Western United States. However, this Cathedral was a large undertaking and many parishioners volunteered endless hours to the project. Among these were Leon and Naseeb Saliba.
Leon and Naseeb were both instrumental in raising funds for building the Cathedral and hall. Leon served as chair of the Building Committee of the Hall and Naseeb was a leading force in construction of the hall and the conception and building of Camp St. Nicholas in Frazier Park, California.
The program honoring the Saliba brothers featured dinner and speeches. Richard Ayoob was the master of ceremonies and the key address was given by Bishop Joseph, Auxiliary of the Western Region. Both Saliba brothers also spoke.
In a letter to the Saliba brothers, Metropolitan Philip, Primate, said, You were instrumental in the establishing of St. Nicholas Cathedral and have always given your wholehearted support to the Church.
Indeed, the brothers were noted most for their selfless donations to the Church. The generosity both of you have shown over a great span of time is an inspiration to us all, said Bishop Antoun.
Dennis J. Awad, parish council chair, wrote in his letter to the Saliba brothers that without their hard work, dedication and commitment, the community the Saliba brothers envisioned would not exist as it does today.
Your financial support has allowed us to reach out to many people, old and young in our community, added Awad. The development of Cedars Manor, the senior citizens home and the St. Nicholas Frazier Park camp and its National Camping association accredited camping program are just two of the many successful ministries that you have helped us to establish.

Receiving a proclamation from the City of Los Angeles, from left are: Leon Saliba, Councilman Dennis Zine and Naseeb Saliba.

For their parts, Leon and Naseeb gave their time and money without complaint. Bishop Joseph of the West Coast Chancery said, Rather than complaining, you approach problems with firm commitment and hard labor. You have tackled major challenges and overcome them by God’s grace.
The Very Reverend Father Michel Najim, Pastor of St Nicholas Cathedral, wrote of the Saliba brothers’ influence in California: You are great eagles with wings long pointed, rich with many-colored plumage, (who) came to California, took the top of the society and stretched your wings towards helping and protecting countless people ... A look at the modern history of Arab-Americans in California and their contributions to its development, you were the pioneers in pursuit of the American dream.
Naseeb Saliba
Naseeb Saliba is a retired general contractor. He was born in Ozark, Alabama, in 1915 of Lebanese immigrants. The Saliba family made their way west with stops in St. Louis and Salt Lake City, settling in Los Angeles, where he graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1932.
My dad had heard a lot about the West, and indirectly had been working his way there, recalled Naseeb. In Salt Lake City, he had quite a good-sized store, selling a little of everything. Eventually he sold out and we moved west.
Naseeb’s entrepreneurial spirit took him to Idaho where he opened an automobile dealership and garage. He sold the dealership and began buying and restoring gasoline stations. 
He returned to Los Angeles, starting his construction career with his uncle’s thriving construction firm. In 1942, he formed his own firm, N.M. Saliba Co., becoming one of the most successful heavy construction companies on the West Coast with operations in California, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, and Utah. With the post-war boom of 1940’s and 50’s, Saliba Co. prospered. 
Entering into the construction and contracting industry by Naseeb was of no surprise to the Saliba family. He had two contractor uncles, Fouad K. and Oscar K. Mittry. A third uncle, Saheed K. Mittry, had founded a construction company in the United States shortly after arriving from Syria.
Many of the Salibas and most of the Mittrys were in the building business in one way or another.
During the summer months while they lived in California, Naseeb and his brothers would get construction jobs and it is from this that he began to learn all the basic trades that would define his life.
He retired at the age of 42 in order to spend more time with his wife, Cleo, and family. However, that retirement did not last long because of constant activity. In 1970, he helped form Tutor-Saliba Corp., establishing itself as one of the largest independently held international general contracting firms in the world, with over $6 billion in completed projects such as the San Diego Convention Center, Tom Bradley International Airport Terminal, the Los Angeles Metro Rail System, the San Francisco BART railway system, San Francisco International Airport Terminal, and the Alameda Corridor project in Los Angeles. 
Tutor-Saliba constructed many large scale buildings of all types, for both public institutions and private industry. The Compton Court House in L.A. County for $34.29 million and the Phineas Banning High School in Los Angeles Unified School District for $11.277 million were among these projects.
They have also worked on construction projects for state and community colleges. Tutor-Saliba constructed the West Los Angeles College for the Los Angeles Community College District for $9.4 million. They also built the Natural Science Building at California State Dominguez Hills for $3.2 million.
The company was also involved with engineering for public agencies, constructing freeways, dams, tunnels, storm drains, etc. The Pomona-Long Beach Freeway Interchange in California was contracted to Tutor-Saliba for $8.86 million. The Turner Dam for the Valley Center Water District was a $2.27 million Tutor-Saliba project.
Tutor-Saliba was also considered a leader in the construction of treatment plants, a growing importance with the increasing concern for environment preservation. The company’s projects in this area included de-salination, water filtration, and primary and secondary treatment facilities. 
One of their major projects in this area was the $12.34 million Robert A. Skinner Water Filtration Plant for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Another was the secondary sewage treatment plant and administration building for East Bay Municipal Utility District, a nearly $38.6 million project.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in 1994, awarded him its National Contractor of the Year award for civil works projects. Naseeb received many accolades from past presidents, governors, government officials, and has been recognized by 
many world leaders throughout the Near East for his accomplishments as an Arab-American.
His philanthropic contributions cover many charitable organizations throughout the U.S. and Lebanon, including Pepperdine University, USC, St. Francis Medical Center, Desert Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Balamand University, Lebanon. He serves as trustee for many organizations including the Antiochian Orthodox Church, where he has received the Antonian Gold Medal. Naseeb resides in Los Angeles County.

Leon Saliba
Sharp and attentive at 93, Leon Saliba recalls his life activity without hesitation.
The oldest of five children, he was born in Missouri in 1911. He was raised in Salt Lake City among the Mormons until the age of 12, when he moved to Los Angeles in 1923.
When his dad started to lose his health, Leon helped him in the grocery business. He worked odd jobs after school.
In 1928, he graduated from high school with honors. He wanted to be an engineer, so he applied and was accepted to Cal Tech University. However, due to the poor health of his 
dad, he could not pursue his engineering education.
He recalls paying $50 rent in the South Hancock Park. Then, in 1929, he started his insurance business, Leon M. Saliba, Inc., specializing in construction accounts. He was very successful.
In 1936 he married Dolores Ayoub. They had six children, three boys: Tom, Michael and John; and three girls: DeAnne, JoAnne and Catherine.
After 60 years, in 1970, he retired from the insurance business that was based on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. His son then took over the business. Leon moved to Toluca Lake (Burbank) in 1972.
As he recalls his social activities and support during the last 65 years, he was active in 13 social clubs. In 1930 he became the president of the Syrian Young Men Society. He was also a founding member of the Beavers Construction Association.
Leon is a Shriner and Masonic Blue, the Arabic Lodge and the Sons of the Desert for the last 60 years. He is the oldest living past president of the Board of Trustees of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral of Los Angeles. Currently he is the oldest living Loafer.
The life and leadership of Leon Saliba is exemplary. He is an active man who gives his care and support to many worthy causes.