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York Builders Association Workforce NOW Foundation Inc. | Call Us Today: 717.767.2444

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About Us

We are facing the skilled trade workforce shortage head-on and inspiring the world with our message about the many opportunities for fulfilling, in-demand careers in construction!

Who We Are

The construction trades are vital to our nation, economy, and our communities. At the Workforce NOW Foundation, we are passionate about the building industry and committed to rebuilding the skilled trades workforce in York, PA. We believe the shortage of skilled trade professionals is a fixable problem.

We believe the problem is solvable because we KNOW that there are literally hundreds of different high-paying and fulfilling opportunities within the construction trades. No matter what your interest or skill set, there is likely to be a satisfying and in-demand skilled trade career for you! Our challenge is to share this news and educate more people about the amazing possibilities for professional success – most of the possibilities do not even require a college degree!

Finally, we aim to do more than just share information about the many opportunities for skilled trade careers that are in-demand, we want to make connections between employers and our future workforce in York County, Pennsylvania. We have established relationships with hundreds of growing companies in the construction trades that are looking to hire and develop their future trade professionals and industry leaders.  Many of these employers offer on-the-job training, apprenticeships, mentorships and more!

Our Mission

To raise awareness and connect future industry professionals with the opportunities available to them in the local building industry.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The skilled trades industry serves everyone. The YBA Workforce NOW Foundation is positioned to grow a culture and a workforce that is representative of and better connects us to the businesses, individuals, and communities we serve. We know that teams with various backgrounds, skills, and perspectives drive innovation and build better products.

The future of the skilled trades must be inclusive. We are fully committed to rebuilding our workforce by embracing students, candidates, and employees from all underrepresented groups and we will be proactive in motivating our partners and connections in the community to do the same.

Growing Our Future Workforce

Our Vision

and Values

We are dedicated to being a catalyst for empowering students and others in the community through education and resources that focus on rewarding opportunities in the skilled trades.

Leadership

Committed to building a better future through the construction trades.

Collaboration

Building relationships and working together to create opportunities.

Passion

We use our drive and commitment to energize, engage, inspire, and empower.

Integrity

We are transparent, ethical, and genuine.

Courage

Acting with courage, we challenge traditions and dispel misconceptions about skilled trade careers.

Our History

In 2017 during the York Builders Association’s strategic planning, the board of directors and members outlined plans to address the local workforce gap in the building industry. A three-year plan was developed including championing YBA members, building programs and initiatives to highlight career opportunities in the construction trades, connecting our members, schools, students, and parents, and bringing together the community through partnerships.

In 2018, the York Builders Association (YBA) held its first-ever Construction Career Day event with local YBA member businesses and area high schools. Students learned about businesses and career opportunities in the skilled trades and heard first-hand about the journeys of their employees. They also participated in hands-on activities.

The success of this week-long event spiraled into developing resources, programs, branding, website content, and sponsorship opportunities to promote our member businesses, school partnerships, and career opportunities in the building industry.

Later in 2018, the York Builders Association launched the Workforce NOW initiative. The Workforce NOW brand served as an umbrella which covered YBA programs designed to support workforce development, with a commitment to providing resources and educating students, parents, teachers, and others in the community about the many stable and rewarding options available locally for successful careers in the skilled trades.

In early 2022, the Workforce NOW Foundation officially gained nonprofit status. As a nonprofit organization, a 501(c)(3), Workforce NOW will be able to apply for various grants, accept donations, create more partnerships, and develop additional programs and services.

YBA Workforce NOW Foundation

Our Leadership

The foundation’s leaders come from various backgrounds and have diverse expertise and experience that spans business, education, the building industry, and skilled trades. Our leadership is guided by their commitment to connecting future industry professionals to the opportunities available to them. 

Staff Liaison

Melissa Longenberger

Melissa Longenberger leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance awareness about the skilled trades as a rewarding career path and build connections throughout the community with local organizations, educators, school administrators, employers, and more.

Workforce NOW President

Shonna Cardello, NTP

Shonna Stock Cardello is the President of White Rose Settlement Services and Inch Settlement Services LLC and a founding partner with the companies.

Workforce NOW Vice President

William Rickard

His mission is to help our students connect with the construction trades workforce.

Workforce NOW Treasurer

Michael Lohss, Jr.

Michael chose to partner with the York Builders Association and the Workforce NOW Foundation due to their direct contact with the premier builder and associate members locally that are also directly affected by this.

Workforce NOW Secretary

Ed Hesson

Ed’s goal is to educate younger generations about the importance of the trades and the viability of a career in the skilled trades.

Workforce NOW Board Member

Laurie Lourie

Laurie is committed to generating awareness about the benefits of working in the skilled trades and inspiring more young people to consider the construction trades as a career path.

Workforce NOW Board MemberLaurie Lourie

Company 
York Builders Association 

Position 
Executive Vice President 

How long have you been a YBA member?  
8 years as YBA Executive Vice President 

Involvement in YBA 
As Executive Vice President, I work closely with the York Builders Association Board of Directors on the strategic direction of the association, manage our talented team of employees, develop the culture of the organization, build relationships with YBA members, the community, and other stakeholders, identify potential sources of income and oversee income generating activities. Prior to my role with YBA, I served as Executive Vice President of the Wayne County Builders Association for 22 years. 

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?  
With direct experience working alongside members in the construction trades for three decades, I see first-hand how the lack of skilled workers impacts the ability to meet consumer demand, ultimately affecting our communities and the economy. I also see evidence of how successful and personally rewarding a career in the skilled trades can be. I am committed to generating awareness about the benefits of working in the skilled trades and inspiring more young people to consider the construction trades as a career path. 

Workforce NOW SecretaryEd Hesson

Company
Traditions Bank 

Position
Business Services Partner.  Commercial lending, deposits, and other business products and services. 

How long have you been a YBA member?
16 years 

Involvement in YBA
Previously served on the Workforce Committee 

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
To educate younger generations about the importance of the trades and the viability of a career in the skilled trades. 

Other Community Involvement
Finance Committee & Board Member (York Day Nursery), Finance Committee & Board Member (DreamWrights Youth & Family Theatre) 

Workforce NOW TreasurerMichael Lohss, Jr.

Company 
Regal, Inc. - Plumbing, HVAC & Home Automation 

Position 
General Manager - Running day-to-day operations, building/developing business strategy, and assisting other managers in developing and growing their team. 

How long have you been a YBA member? 
38 years 

Involvement in YBA
Vice President of the York Builders Association, Chair of Workforce NOW Committee 

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
As a mechanical contractor that is directly affected by the labor shortage, I am very passionate about developing our youth. I see and feel the impact of what's happening to our trades locally, let alone in America. I chose to partner with the York Builders Association and the Workforce NOW Foundation due to their direct contact with the premier builder and associate members locally that are also directly affected by this. By working together, we can achieve an outcome to boost our local economy and help spread the message that college isn't for everyone and that a career in the trades can be just as valuable, if not more valuable, than earning a college degree. 

Workforce NOW Vice PresidentWilliam Rickard

Company
Eastern York High School

Position
Principal

How long have you been a YBA member?
2 years

Involvement in YBA
Workforce NOW Committee

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
To help our students connect with the construction trades workforce.

Workforce NOW PresidentShonna Cardello, NTP

Company
White Rose Settlement Services Inc.

Position
President of White Rose Settlement Services and a founding partner when the company opened in July 1996.

How long have you been a YBA member?

22 years

Involvement in YBA

Board of Directors (Life Director), 2019 Board President, Women’s’ Council of the York County Builders Association, Marketing Committee, Workforce NOW Committee

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
Working directly with the Builders and trades within the YBA has opened my eyes to the dire need for skilled tradesman.  We are all part of the same team and when one team member needs help, we all pitch in.  The idea to start a program came from necessity.   Our industry is aging and we need younger skilled tradesman.  It was a simple endeavor for me to support and become involved in the Workforce NOW initiative.  I look forward to continuing to promote this amazing Foundation!

Other Community Involvement
Shonna Stock Cardello is the President of White Rose Settlement Services and Inch Settlement Services LLC and a founding partner with the companies. She is a licensed title agent and has earned the designation of Certified Land Title Professional and in 2015 was awarded the National Title Professional designation by the American Land Title Association (ALTA).   She is a Life Director of the Pennsylvania Builders Association and a Past President of the York Builders Association.  Ms. Cardello was President during the Charter Year of the Women’s’ Council of the York County Builders Association.  Shonna currently is a TIPAC Board of Director for ALTA and is the Pennsylvania Trustee, and serves on the Title Action Network (TAN) and Government Affairs committees for ALTA. Shonna serves, and has served, on many committees for the Realtors Association of York and Adams Counties (RAYAC) and the Pennsylvania Land Title Association.

Staff LiaisonMelissa Longenberger

Melissa Longenberger leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance awareness about the skilled trades as a rewarding career path and build connections throughout the community with local organizations, educators, school administrators, employers, and more. She also oversees the Foundation’s efforts to develop resources and programs supporting the mission to empower more students and build our future workforce. In her role as staff liaison, Melissa works closely with the YBA Workforce NOW Board of Directors. 

Melissa Longenberger is currently the Vice President of Member Relations for the York Builders Association, where she’s served in a membership role since 2015. Melissa has been at the forefront of the Workforce NOW initiative, including spearheading its inception in 2018.