Joseph Benedict
Executive Director
716-874-3435 ext.202

Joe joined the Construction Exchange in 2009 and is responsible for working with the board of governors and staff to ensure the association meets its strategic objectives. According to Joe, “The best part of my job is the people. I get to work every day with great people who lead the construction industry and great people who work at the Construction Exchange to have a positive impact on hundreds of companies and their workers. It’s very rewarding.”

Joe enjoys hunting, camping, snowmobiling, jiu jitsu, and finding adventure with his family. He lives in Hamburg with his wife Jill and their kids Joey and Amelia.

Julie Sawicki
Office Executive Coordinator
716-874-3435 ext. 208

Julie has dual roles as the Office Executive Coordinator and Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, having joined the team in October 2021. In her role, Julie supports the daily operations of multiple associations, coordinating events, meetings, and the ongoing needs of various groups with efficiency and care.

Julie finds the most rewarding part of her work to be the relationships she builds — connecting with diverse teams and helping them thrive through seamless coordination and thoughtful support.

Originally from Western New York, Julie now lives in Kenmore with her husband, Alex. The couple was recently married in October 2024. Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending quality time with her family and cat named Tonks.

AmyRae Nessa
Director of Membership & Marketing
716-725-3733 (Mobile)

AmyRae Nessa joined The Construction Exchange in July 2022 and is a pivotal force in strengthening the organization’s member relations. She leads efforts in recruiting new members, enhancing engagement and retention, and overseeing various marketing and event initiatives. Beyond her core responsibilities, AmyRae also serves as the dedicated “momager” of The Plan Room, located at www.wnyplanroom.com.

When she’s not fostering professional connections, AmyRae enjoys her vibrant community in the City of Buffalo with her husband Eric, their kids Eloise and Rex, and their many beloved pets.

Jenn Van Dusen
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & WORKFORCE
716-874-3435 ext. 203

Jenn started with the Construction Exchange in 2021. She is responsible for planning and managing the Construction University classes including the OSHA safety trainings, the CIEF Scholarships, and educating the youth and public on careers within the construction industry to subsequently connect job seekers with CEX member companies looking to hire.

Jenn currently serves as Vice President of the Buffalo-Niagara National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) chapter, the co-chair for the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Mentor program, and Trustee for the Erie1BOCES Education Foundation.  Jenn lives in Lewiston, NY with her husband of 5 years, Jordan, and their fur baby, Teddy Bear. Jenn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, golfing, boating, and cheering on her local sports teams. GO BILLS!

Lori Ball
FINANCER MANAGER

Lorri is our new Finance Manager, bringing three decades of comprehensive bookkeeping expertise and entrepreneurial leadership to her professional endeavors. As the owner of a bookkeeping company, she leverages her extensive financial knowledge to serve clients across various industries. Following her entrepreneurial journey, Lorri dedicated seven years to the New York Oil and Gas Association, where she applied her extensive financial acumen and industry knowledge to support the organization’s mission. Lorri is the proud mother of three remarkable sons who share her adventurous spirit. When she’s not managing numbers or strategic initiatives, Lorri can be found exploring new destinations with her boys, creating lasting memories through travel and embracing the joy of discovering the world together.

Jennifer Dougherty
Office Assistant
716-874-3435 ext. 212

Jennifer has been with Construction Exchange since 2018. She works especially with the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association, which represents the home building industry in Western New York. Responsibilities include coordinating meetings, events and making sure the association is engaged to meet the needs of the industry.

Jennifer Starr
Online Plan Room Tech
716-874-3435 ext. 207

Jennifer joined the Construction Exchange in 2005. Her duties include maintaining the Online Plan Room and updating the bid results. In her spare time, she works on her vegetable garden and enjoys spending time with her niece Haley!

Joel Brinson
ONLINE PLAN SERVICE COORDINATOR
716-874-3435 ext. 206

Joel joined Construction Exchange in October of 2024 as Plan service manager. He is responsible for finding new projects, posting them to the online plan service, and maintaining relationships with project issuers. He also fields customer service requests about the plan service from members. Outside of his role at the Construction Exchange, Joel is an avid reader of history and anthropology, an amateur chef, and a tour guide at Niagara Falls.

Kristie Michael
Construction Relationship & Plan Room Manager

Kristie joined the Construction Exchange in May 2017. She oversees the plan room and is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with the owners, architects, and contractors that use the Construction Exchange to distribute project documents and information.

Darcy Baroudi
Finance Manager

Darcy joined the Construction Exchange in May 2013. Her position as finance manager includes responsibilities for maintaining the financial records for the Construction Exchange and all of its affiliations. She is also a notary public.