Before Samantha DeAlmeida Roman stepped into the role of president and chief executive officer of the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey (ABC-NJ), she had already been challenging the status quo. Her career has never followed a straight line. It has been a determined climb through spaces where she often had to pull up her own chair to tables where decisions were being made. In an industry that continues to evolve, DeAlmeida Roman has used that drive to become a powerful advocate for New Jersey’s construction community.
Her leadership over the past three years has transformed ABC-NJ. Amid national economic shifts and industry uncertainties, she steered the organization through unprecedented growth. Membership soared by 35%, revenue increased by 27% and the team itself expanded, adding five new staff members to meet escalating demand. This trajectory was not by chance—it was built through deep community engagement, legislative advocacy and an unwavering commitment to her members.
DeAlmeida Roman attributes much of her energy to a focus on mission. She stays passionate by keeping her eye on the real-world impact of her work: advocating for merit shop contractors, ensuring workforce development remains robust and securing opportunities for underrepresented voices. Each meeting, campaign and policy conversation is more than strategy—it’s purpose-driven leadership in motion.
The future of construction demands a different kind of readiness, and DeAlmeida Roman, a Titan 100 Honoree, is preparing her members for what lies ahead by championing access to education and apprenticeship programs. She understands that training the workforce of tomorrow doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes investment, creativity and the courage to rethink old models. Under her guidance, ABC-NJ has emerged as a standard bearer in that transformation.
The past year brought no shortage of challenges, but for DeAlmeida Roman, it also delivered powerful lessons. Chief among them: Leadership is about the ability to adapt with purpose. She navigated contentious policy environments, shifting workforce dynamics and industry skepticism—all while staying anchored to the organization’s mission. That experience has only sharpened her strategic focus.
As part of her commitment to growing future leaders, she also launched mentorship opportunities through various associations and organizations. Her impact isn’t just measured in numbers—it’s measured in the stories of young professionals who now have doors open that were once closed. That’s a mark of leadership she values most.
Recognition, for her, has never been the goal—but she sees platforms like the Titan 100 as meaningful bridges. They offer connections, visibility and a chance to spotlight the power of industry leadership that’s inclusive, fearless and forward-moving.
DeAlmeida Roman continues to lead not with volume, but with vision—reshaping construction advocacy in New Jersey and setting a high bar for what it means to champion progress.
