GBCA Staff
Nicole Catrambone
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Nicole Catrmabone | Coordinator, Marketing & Communications
Nicole brings to GBCA a wide range of experience, having worked in marketing for a regional flooring wholesaler and on digital asset management projects with the Philadelphia Eagles and Comcast Spectator. Nicole provides GBCA’s marketing plans and communication activities.
Nicole earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Rutgers University. Nicole enjoys traveling, live music, the Philadelphia Flyers, and spending time with friends and family.
Benjamin J. Connors, Esq. CAE
President & CEO
Benjamin J. Connors, Esq. CAE | President & CEO
The General Building Contractors Association has served its members as a leader in the construction industry for over 130 years. As President & CEO of GBCA, Ben Connors is focused on building upon that reputation. Since joining GBCA in 2014 Ben has utilized his expertise in advocacy and labor relations to help to shape the strategic growth of the association. In 2015 Ben became President & CEO of GBCA and embarked upon an aggressive expansion of member service. Ben leads GBCA’s expert staff and dedicates his time to carrying out the strategic vision of GBCA’s Board of Directors.
In his capacity as President & CEO of GBCA, Ben serves as a trustee for a multitude of union benefits and training funds, totaling in excess of $6 billion in assets under management. Ben is active in many industry and professional associations. He currently serves as a board member of the Center for Architecture and Design, Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, The March of Dimes Annual Transportation, Building & Construction Awards Luncheon, the American Heart Association Hard Hats with Heart Executive Leadership Team and Associated General Contractors of America’s Executive Leadership Committee.
As a Philadelphia native and avid student of history, Ben dedicates his time as a board member of the Penn Treaty Museum and as an affiliate member of the Carpenters Company of the City and County of Philadelphia.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rutgers University, where he majored in both Political Science and Labor Studies. Ben also holds a Juris Doctorate from Rutgers Camden School of Law, where he was elected by his peers to serve as the Student Bar Association President. Ben has received National and State recognition, being honored by Association Trends in 2019 with their Young & Aspiring Professional Award and in 2021 by Pennsylvania City and State Magazine, being named to both their Power Labor 100 list and to their 40 under 40 for the state of Pennsylvania.
Ben lives in Cherry Hill, New Jersey with his wife, Zoe and their twin son and daughter. He enjoys traveling, Philadelphia sports, and spending time with his family.
Margaret Conrad
Manager, Membership Development & Services
Margaret Conrad | Manager, Membership Development & Services
Margaret brings a wealth of experience in relationship building and development with a vast majority of her career in non-profit. Her career also extended into the advertising agency and banking industries with a focus on account management and marketing.
Margaret earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from State University of NY, College at Brockport. She lives in New Jersey. She enjoys volunteering with non-profits, cooking, beach, traveling and most of all spending time with family and friends.
Jelani Ellington, PhD
Vice President, Operations and Organizational Excellence
Jelani Ellington, PhD | Vice President, Operations and Organizational Excellence
Dr. Jelani Ellington serves as Vice President of Operations and Organizational Excellence at the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), one of the nation’s oldest trade associations representing the union commercial construction industry in the Philadelphia region. Jelani acts as a strategic advisor, driving cross-functional alignment, optimizing operational systems, and ensuring execution of GBCA’s Strategic Plans.
With deep experience in both Fortune 50 companies and entrepreneurial ventures, He brings more than 20 years of expertise in organizational transformation, Lean Six Sigma, financial strategy, data science, engineering, and operational excellence. Prior to joining GBCA, he led enterprise innovation and transformation efforts at Elevance Health, where he launched performance dashboards, drove $500M+ in cost savings, and built high-performing teams. Most recently, as Managing Director of Prometheus, he advised C-suite leaders on systems strategy and analytics to enhance long-term value and organizational health.
At GBCA, Jelani is responsible for advancing the strategic goal of operational excellence – strengthening HR systems, governance processes, financial sustainability, and performance culture. He oversees administrative functions and HR strategy, manages risk and compliance, and leads continuous improvement efforts across all departments.
Jelani, a lifelong learner, holds a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science in Management and Master of Science in Engineering from MIT, along with other master’s degrees in fields including business, innovation, engineering, and data science. A passionate advocate for diversity, workforce development, and next-generation leadership, he is committed to aligning operational strategy with GBCA’s values of growth, belonging, curiosity, and accountability.
Marybeth Gerdelmann
Coordinator, Education & Workforce Development
Marybeth Gerdelmann | Associate, Education & Workforce Development
Marybeth joins GBCA after starting off her career as a Sales Assistant in the Philadelphia radio market. As Education and Workforce Development Associate, Marybeth assists with supporting and developing educational and workforce development initiatives, trainings, programs, and events including Career Day, the Construction Technology Expo, and GBCA’s Tuition Reimbursement Program.
Marybeth grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Temple University in 2020. In her free time, she enjoys going to the movies, following the latest fashion trends, cheering on the Phillies, and hanging out with friends.
Meg Ginsberg
Manager, Training & Professional Development
Meg Ginsberg | Manager, Training and Professional Development
Meg is a Philadelphia-area native and graduate of Saint Joseph’s University. Meg currently serves as the Training and Professional Development Manager at GBCA. In this role, Meg leads the organization’s educational and safety programs, seminars, and workshops. With prior internships at two esteemed Philadelphia sports teams, Meg brings a wide range of experience. Meg enjoys traveling, the outdoors, live music, and dining out with friends and family.
Charlie Goehl
Associate, Government Affairs
Charlie Goehl | Associate, Government Affairs
Charlie is originally from Stroudsburg, PA and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Government & Politics from the University of Maryland at College Park. Before joining GBCA, Charlie gained experience in government affairs by interning with the office of Congressman Dwight Evans and with Amtrak. Charlie has also worked on both statewide and local elections.
Charlie enjoys traveling, playing and watching basketball, cooking, and obsessing over Philadelphia sports.
Erin Dwyer Harvard
Director, Public Affairs
Erin Dwyer Harvard | Director, Public Affairs
Erin is a lifelong Philadelphian with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Temple University. Prior to joining GBCA, Erin worked in local government and advocacy. In her current role, Erin leads the organization’s Public Affairs team and works to elevate GBCA’s status through policy and external communications.
Erin sits on the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia’s Board of Directors and the Temple University College of Liberal Arts Alumni Board. She enjoys watching Philadelphia sports, spending time with family and visiting the shore.
Elizabeth Janicki
Event Manager
Elizabeth Janicki | Event Manager
Elizabeth is an experienced event manager with over a decade of expertise in organizing and coordinating successful events. When not working, Elizabeth enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling to new destinations, reading, and nurturing a thriving collection of plants. A foodie at heart, she loves exploring new cuisines and spending quality time hanging out with family and friends.
Kathleen Lee
Office Administrator
Kathleen Lee | Office Administrator
Prior to joining GBCA, Kathleen worked in the Hospitality Industry for 25+ years as Special Events, Group Sales Manager and Office Manager at various attractions and hotels. She brings a vast amount of knowledge to the GBCA about the city of Philadelphia. She has earned Bachelor of Science from Johnson & Wales University, Providence RI.
In her free time, Kathleen enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching the Phillies, and cooking.
James McGugan
Safety Consultant
James McGugan | Safety Consultant
James (“Jim”) McGugan started in construction as a carpenter in Local #8 as an apprentice in 1980. He became a journeyman in 1984, and moved up to foreman, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. In 1995 he became an OSHA outreach trainer starting his career in safety. He performed various duties such as audits, training, and field safety. He retired in 2013 and started to work for Med-Tex Services as a trainer. He currently teaches various safety courses in Fall Protection, Confined Space, MEWP, OSHA 10 & 30, PSM as well as other safety courses
Jeremy Pease
Accountant
Jeremy Pease | Accountant
Jeremy is a former CPA and has over 30 years of experience both as a public accountant and as a financial executive. Jeremy grew up in Lancaster, PA and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Drexel University. Jeremy handles the day-to-day accounting needs of the organization. Jeremy enjoys live music, traveling and attending professional baseball and international soccer games.
Diane Reynolds
Executive Assistant
Diane Reynolds | Executive Assistant
Prior to GBCA, Diane served as the Investment Coordinator at The Annenberg Foundation, assisting in the administration of their investment program. Diane has held Executive Assistant positions with diverse organizations such as engineering firms, insurance companies, financial services firms, and wealth management organizations.
Diane is a Philadelphia-area native and has also lived in Austin, TX. She and her husband reside in Rydal with their two dogs.