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

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Sponsors + Partners

Support from our sponsors and partners helps our message reach a wider audience. We believe by working together, we can solve the skilled trade labor shortage.

YBA Workforce NOW Sponsorship

The YBA Workforce NOW Foundation offers many ways to align your organization with our mission of raising awareness and connecting future skilled trade professionals to the opportunities available to them in the building industry.

YBA Workforce NOW Sponsorship is a way to join the YBA Workforce NOW Foundation in educating others about the benefits of careers in the skilled trades and build our future workforce.

Interested in learning more about YBA Workforce NOW Sponsorship opportunities? Contact Melissa Longenberger at 717.767.2444 or [email protected].

Annual Sponsorships

Workforce NOW Program Sponsorships

Program Sponsor - $1,000
  • Company logo included in the scrolling sponsor section on the homepage of ybaworkforcenow.com
  • Company logo with link on ybaworkforcenow.com sponsorship page
  • Company recognition on appropriate marketing materials as Workforce NOW Foundation Sponsor
  • Option to feature company in the Workforce NOW newsletter
  • Guest blog post on ybaworkforcenow.com (content approved by the Foundation)
  • Social media promotion
Supporting Sponsor- $500
  • Company logo with link on ybaworkforcenow.com sponsorship page
  • Company recognition on appropriate marketing materials as Workforce NOW Foundation Supporting Sponsor
Friend Sponsor - $250
  • Company logo with link on ybaworkforcenow.com sponsorship page
April

Construction Career Days

Recruiting for the Trades Sponsor - $1,000
  • Company recognized as Recruiting for the Trades Sponsor on Construction Career Days page with logo and link
  • Company logo on Construction Career Days materials
  • Ability to give promo item to students (up to 100 items)
  • Social media promotion and other marketing opportunities as available
  • Host location for participating school (optional)
Preparing for Success Sponsor - $750
  • Company recognized as Preparing for Success Sponsor on Construction Career Days page with logo and link
  • Ability to include flyer, business cards, or other advertising material in student packs
  • Company logo on Construction Career Days materials
Supporting Sponsor - $500
  • Recognized as Supporting Sponsor on Construction Career Days page with logo and link
  • Company logo on Construction Career Days materials
Workforce NOW School Program

School Sponsor – $1,000

Your business will sponsor a membership to the York Builders Association for one local high school or trade school for one year

Your company will be formally recognized as the sponsor in a letter directed to that schools’ primary contact on your behalf. This letter will include your company’s bio, why you chose to sponsor the membership, and direct contact information

The Foundation will introduce the school and company contacts and host an initial meeting between the two

Company logo with link on ybaworkforcenow.com sponsorship page – will include the sponsored school

Company recognition on appropriate marketing materials as Workforce NOW School Sponsor

Recognized at the annual October breakfast event, which focuses on Workforce NOW

School selection will be based on the Foundation and sponsor’s discretion

Additional Ways

Scholarship Program Sponsorships – $250 and up

Company name included on one scholarship for one year

Tool $250 or $500

$500, $1,000 & $1,500 for YBA Member or Trade scholarships

Assist with presentation of scholarship at school awards program when appropriate

Recognized on website as scholarship sponsor

Supporting the Foundation

Our Sponsors

Are Building a Future

YBA Workforce NOW sponsors help fund scholarships accessible to students in York County, PA, and support our efforts to build awareness and connect students with employers through programs like Construction Career Days.

Making a Difference Together – Our Partners

We are strengthening our programs and community affiliations and building connections with educators and employers through our partnerships. Our partners support our mission by providing resources, education, and opportunities.

How YBA Workforce NOW Sponsors &

Partners Help Grow Our Future Workforce

Educate more students & parents about career opportunities in the skilled trades in York County, PA
Develop programs like Construction Career Days
Develop more resources to showcase the benefits of skilled trade careers
Change perceptions about careers in the skilled trades
Garner more support from the community and educators
Connect more students with York County, PA companies offering apprenticeships, internships, mentorships, and job shadowing.
Partner with legislators and influencers who will advocate for the skilled trades and the building industry

Cultivate a wider audience for our message

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.