Old About
The Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY is a not-for-profit organization that has served the local construction industry since 1981.
Our mission is to enhance the growth and prosperity of member companies by providing information, education, and communication for the construction industry. As the largest construction association in Western New York, Construction Exchange is an influential advocate and steward for the promotion and advancement of ghostwriter bachelorarbeit.
If you are looking for information on bidding and planning stage residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal construction projects, or low-cost safety training and consulting, construction education, industry events, a competitive workers’ compensation plan, or to save money on the things you use every day, you have come to the right place – the Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY.
Our Team
Joe Benedict
Executive Director
Joe joined the Construction Exchange in November 2009. He is responsible for day-to-day operations and working with the staff to ensure the association lives up to its mission of providing information, advocacy, education, and communication for the construction industry.
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.
AmyRae Nessa
Director of Sales & Membership
AmyRae is the newest team member to the Construction Exchange, she joined the team in July 2022. She is responsible for recruiting new members and improving member engagement and retainment. Her daily activities include meeting with existing and potential members, overseeing marketing and events, crafting member/industry communications and promoting member benefits and service.
Joel Brinson
Plan Room Coordinator
Joel joined the Construction Exchange in September of 2024 and is responsible for maintaining the plan room’s project listings. Joel’s daily responsibilities include interfacing with architects, engineers, general contractors, municipalities, sub-contractors, and construction managers to ensure that the plan room’s project offerings are comprehensive and up to date.
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.
Jennifer Dougherty
Office Assistant
Jennifer joined the Construction Exchange in 2018. She is the administrative assistant for the Buffalo Niagara Builders’ Association and the Home Improvement Council. Her responsibilities include meeting preparation with timely task follow-through after. She also assists in organizing events and oversees membership reports and the status of members. She is also a notary public.
Jennifer Starr
Online Plan Room Tech
Jen joined the Construction Exchange in 2005. Her duties include maintaining the Online Plan Room and assisting in all office-related functions as required.
Jennifer Van Dusen
Workforce & Education Director
Jenn started with the Construction Exchange in 2021. Jenn is responsible for planning and managing the Construction University classes, developing and growing the CONEX Careers App, and educating the youth and public on careers within the construction industry.
Julie Sawicki
Executive Assistant
Julie Joined The Construction Exchange in October of 2021. Her position as Executive Coordinator includes responsibilities of being Executive Assistant to the Executive Director and assisting several other trade associations by organizing meetings, handling day to day administrative needs, and planning/managing their major events.
Board of Governors
Chairman - Dan Sarzynski
Rupp Pfalzgraf
Vice Chairman - Doug Elia
Montante Construction
Secretary/Treasurer - Lauren Chmielowiec
Upstate Rebar/Upstate Steel
Executive Director - Joe Benedict
Construction Exchange
Omar Abdallah
DV Brown and Associates
Michelle Ashby
Tipping Point Communications
Kevin Biddle
Mader Construction
Brad Buyers
County Line Stone
Mercedes Calway
RP Oak Hill Building Company
John Cleary
Campus Construction Management Group
Arnie Collier
Iroquois Bar
Rob Coppola
Lawley Insurance
Gary Coscia
Largo Capital, Inc.
Chris Gannon
Grove Roofing
Stacy Gnacinski
S.E.G. Construction
Amber Holycross
Wendel Companies
Susanne Kelley
Encorus Group
Joe Mannarino
Buffalo Construction Consultants
Jim Panepinto
Pinto Construction
Luis Rodriguez
Rodriguez Construction Group
Sal Sciandra
Frey Electric
Matt Sikora
Turner Construction Company
Matt Squires
Manning Squires Hennig
Anedda Trautman
Erie 1 BOCES
Jay Monnin
LaBella Associates
Committees
Investment Committee
Mission
The Investment Committee reports to the Finance Committee and oversees the Construction Exchange and Construction Industry Education Foundation investment accounts.
Meeting Frequency
Twice a year.
Members
- (Chair) Scott Hoffman – Hoffman Hanafin
- Kelly Besaw – Chiampou, Travis, Besaw & Kershner
- Mark Collard – Landmark Wealth Advisors
- Jim Logan – Construction Industry Education Foundation
Annual Outing Committee
Mission
Plan Annual Outing and assist staff the day of the event.
Meeting Frequency
2 to 3 times a year as needed
Members
- (Chair) Jason Colby – Admar
- Jack Dumpert – Bondedge
- Jim Ginnane – Planned Futures Financial
- George Schlemmer – IPL Electric
- Dave Shanley – Retired
- Pat Sullivan – Retired
- Michael Welch – Evans Bank
Auction Committee
Mission
Plan the Construction Industry Education Foundation 12 Days of Christmas and fundraise for event.
Meeting Frequency
3 to 4 times per year as needed.
Members
- Kevin Biddle – Mader Construction
- Tom Christopher – Admar
- Mindy Elniski – LVBW
- Jim Ginnane – Planned Futures Financial Planning
- Jen Kinney – Montante Construction
- Justin MacFarland – Toshiba
- Dina Marinaro – Vanner
- Lisa Palladino – The Bonadio Group
- Patt Rozler – Turner
- Chris Tryjankowski – PCS Plumbing
- Michael Welch – Evans Bank
Education Committee
Mission
Schedule educational and training programs to be offered to the membership.
Meeting Frequency
As needed (September thru May)
Members
- Amber E. Storr, Hurwitz & Fine
- Bernadette Aja, Employer Services Corp
- Devin Filipiak, Filipiak Construction & Consulting
- Drew Miller, Webster Szanyi
- Erin C. Borek, Phillips Lytle
- Jenn Van Dusen, Construction Exchange
- Joe Mannarino, Buffalo Construction Consultants
- Joseph Benedict, Construction Exchange
- Karen Antonelli, Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner
- Kevin Biddle, Mader Construction
- Ryan Vondell, New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.
- Susanne Kelley, Encorus Group
Executive Committee (Officers of the Board)
Mission
The Executive Committee shall have the authority and power to act on behalf of the Board during the intervals between meetings of the Board.
Meeting Frequency:
Quarterly
Members
- (Chair) Dan Sarzynski – Rupp Palzgraf
- Doug Elia – Montante Construction
- Lauren Chmielowiec – Upstate Steel/Upstate Rebar
- Joe Benedict – Construction Exchange
Legislative Committee
Mission:
Raise awareness of legislative issues impacting the WNY construction industry and advocate on behalf of the membership.
Meeting Frequency:
2 to 3 times per year or as needed
Members:
- Kevin Biddle – Mader Construction
- Brad Buyers – County Line Stone
- Rob Coppola – Lawley Insurance
- Jason Reid – Gallagher
- Luis Rodriguez – Rodriguez Construction
- Tom Saia – Iroquois Bar Corp
- Matt Squires – Manning Squires Hennig
- Bob Stark – CJS Architects
- Chris Wopperer – Thermal Foams Inc
Finance Committee (Committee of the Board)
Mission
1. Review the annual budget prepared by Management, 2. Review investment accounts and meet with investment advisors, 3. Interact with and provide oversight of the association’s CPA firm, and 4. Study major capital expenditure requests
Meeting Frequency
Five meetings per year.
Members
- Joe Brennan – M&T Bank
- Lauren Chmielowiec – Upstate Steel/Upstate Rebar
- Joe Mannarino – Buffalo Construction Consultants
- Dan Sarzynski – Rupp Baase Palzgraf Cunningham
Marketing and Events Committee
Mission
Develop and oversee a marketing plan that increases awareness of the Construction Exchange and its membership benefits among the Western NY construction community. Discuss new programs that may be beneficial to the membership and oversee existing programs. Plan social events.
Meeting Frequency
Quarterly (February, May, August, November) or as needed.
Members
- (Chair) Chris Wopperer – Thermal Foams Inc.
- Danielle Bickel – Strokes Painting and Contracting
- Lauren Walter – Montante Group
- Kyle Gromlovitz- ADP
- Henry Fischer – United Business Systems
- Mindy Elniski – LVBW/Lougen Valenti Bookbinder & Weintraub
- Jim Ginnane – Planned Futures Financial
- Craig Mahoney – Holcim
- Chad Vosseller – Ace Flag
- Jim Waddell – Frey Electric
- Robert Warrington – New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.
- Michael Welch – Evans Bank
Online Plan Service Committee
Mission:
Evaluate new plan room technology or functionalities. Determine the direction the Exchange takes with new plan room technology and systems.
Meeting Frequency:
3 to 4 times a year (February, May, October) or as needed.
Online Plan Service Committee Members:
- Julie Michel – Maple Hill Site, Inc.
- Devin Filipiak – Filipiak Construction Consulting & Management
- Dave Macros – Millington Lockwood/AMP Interior
- Kristie Gerace – Construction Exchange