Samantha DeAlmeida has been named president of Associated Builders and Contractors’ New Jersey Chapter.
DeAlmeida has more than a decade of experience in advocacy, politics, policy and state government. She was elevated to the role after one year serving as the organization’s second vice president and government affairs liaison.
“Samantha’s leadership capabilities and political expertise will bring our members and fellow merit shop business owners a strong voice in Trenton,” said William McGrath, chairman of the ABC NJ board of directors, in a prepared statement. “She is a recognized force in the Statehouse, and we are confident she can help bring the merit shop vision of free enterprise to fruition throughout New Jersey.”

DeAlmeida
Prior to joining ABC, DeAlmeida was the state government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Her work there resulted in several bills being signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy related to the organization’s key initiatives, according to a hiring announcement.
Prior to ACSCAN, she served as deputy director of government relations and policy for the New Jersey Hospital Association and as a policy analyst for the New Jersey State Legislature. She’s an adjunct political science professor at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.
DeAlmeida was recognized by Insider NJ as one of its Insider 100 Millennials in 2019 and 2020, and Save Jersey recognized her as one of its Right Women to Watch.
“I am honored and thrilled to be named president of ABC NJ and thankful for the chance to advocate on behalf of the merit shop philosophy, which advocates for awarding contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation,” DeAlmeida said in a statement. “I pledge to work tirelessly in Trenton to ensure our members have equal opportunities to bid on public contracts and to provide good jobs for their employees as we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”