Builders Exchange's longtime leader leaving to focus on work-force development

Mary Tebeau is arguably one of the best industry/association executives that this area has ever seen.  She led her organization like a true leader, always advancing the member’s agenda while never stepping into their spotlight.   She was tireless in her efforts to support the organization, grow its membership and to enhance its value, both to the membership and the industry as an inclusive whole.  Like me, she is a servant leader that not on believed in collaboration, but embraced it.  I am honored to have known her for so many years and to have built a trusted and personal relationship with her.  It was an absolute privilege to have worked with you and a highlight in my career.  Mary Tebeau, you will be missed here in Philadelphia.  It is a real privilege to have worked with you over the years and I hope to catch back up with you as I pass through your hometown in Columbus.

The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio will experience its first changing of the guard in 21 years when Cathy Blackford leaves the trade association of commercial contractors and associated professions early next year.

But the BX has chosen someone very familiar with the organization and the region’s construction industry to take her place.

Blackford told me she will step down to explore opportunities in promoting work-force development for an active industry that has experienced trouble finding enough skilled workers in recent years.

“I think my job now is to encourage that future work force,” she told me. “I’m just taking time to figure that out.”

Blackford said various industry groups spend time and resources on the issue, but she hopes to find a way to “connect the dots” and focus solely on that issue.

The Ohio State University graduate started as the association’s administrative assistant in 1980 and worked in various capacities until her predecessor, Terry O’Shaughnessy, passed away in 1994. Blackford has run the organization with 700 member firms ever since.

The BX board on Friday approved the selection of Mary Tebeau as the new director effective Jan. 4. Tebeau since 2012 has served as CEO of the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), a construction trades association based in Philadelphia.

But Tebeau has deep roots in the Columbus construction industry having also started her career at the BX in 1993. She spent seven years there as director of special events, according to her LinkedIn profile. Tebeau also had worked at the Central Ohio chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors 11 years as president before she and her husband moved to Philadelphia.

"Mary's knowledge of association management, of our local community and of BX culture will help her hit the ground running as executive director," BX Board President Kathy Gatterdam said in a news release. The Columbus Coal & Lime Co. CEO said the BX considered the qualifications of more than 125 candidates in the national executive search.

I hope to catch up with Tebeau soon.

Source: Columbus Business Journal