Leadership
Chapter President
Marie Patton
Soteria Occupational Safety and Training LLC
Marie Patton has worked in the Construction Industry for 20+ years both in administrative and field positions. Before opening Soteria Occupational Safety and Training in March 2025, she was the Director of Operations and Safety at Active Workforce, where she still maintains a role as Community Outreach and Safety Director. Marie offers expanded safety training programs and performs corporate and safety compliance work for Soteria OST clients which includes Regulatory, Policy/Procedure Development, Project Management and Program Development, Training, Education and Organizational Management. Marie holds OSHA Construction 10 and 30 Trainer Certification, 40hr HAZWOPER, OSHA10 and 30 in General Industry and Construction, Respiratory Fit Test Qualifier, and Fall Protection Inspection.
Marie currently sits on the Building Trades and Construction Advisory Council for Erie 1 BOCES high school and post graduate programs, and volunteers with Assembly House 150 as well as 716 Ministries, where she performs mock interviews and assists with job placement in the construction sector.
Marie is a chartering member of NAWIC Buffalo Niagara and has held board positions since 2021, including President (2024-2026) and has served as chair on several committees including WIC Week. She was honored with Member of the Year 2023 for the Northeast Region and was implemental in NAWIC Buffalo Niagara being awarded the Innovator Award 2024 and 2025 at the NAWIC National Conference for their WIC Week events.
Vice President
Jennifer Van Dusen
The Construction Exchange
Jenn is the co-chair of the WIC Week planning committee, and chair of the Scholarship committee. She has served as a member of the scholarship committee since its inception in 2022. For that committee, she provides contacts and connections to the workforce development programs, educational institutions, training programs, and school districts where she fosters relationships so they can be informed of the opportunity and in turn, share it with their students/community. She also promotes the scholarship opportunity whenever applicable. Finally, along with other committee members, they review and critique the applications and then decide which applicants to award funds.
Jenn is also Vice Chair on the ACE (Architecture, Construction, & Engineering) Mentoring Program Board. As a board member, she is involved in the planning and execution of fundraising events as well as general fundraising efforts. She is also the board liaison for the school-based programming and sits on the Erie 1 BOCES Education Foundation Board.
Treasurer
Gina Terbot
Arc Building Partners
Gina has been in the construction industry for 30 years, (less a 7-year stint as a Veterinary Hospital Manager). She has worked in accounting, administration, HR & management for various trades including Electrical, HVAC, Landscaping, Roofing & Sitework as well as a Geotechnical Engineering Firm (remotely for 9 years – well before telecommuting was an option).
She has been with the Construction Management firm Arc Building Partners, LLC for just over 6 years as a Preconstruction Support Specialist. She assists with owner agreements, subcontracts, insurances, front-end documents, and other duties to support the V.P. of Preconstruction.
She has recently started to learn scoping for various trade packages, (after successfully taking CONEX’s Blueprint Reading Class – which she highly recommends), to assist in the development of bid packages for various projects.
She is a former Board of Education member for the Niagara Wheatfield CSD and chaired the capital improvement committee for 6 years. Her most meaningful projects were the construction of the new Sports Complex and Classroom Technology upgrades.
Gina believes encouraging girls to learn about the trades and trade adjacent career opportunities is vital to the next generation. During her tenure on the BOE, she helped ensure BOCES student achievements were celebrated equally with other academic achievements at BOE level.
She is dedicated to developing relationships with MWBE/SDVOB businesses and contractors to encourage the growth of small businesses which are the backbone of our community.
She lives in Wheatfield with her husband Chuck and their 4 cats, Buku Stache, Stubby (aka Sasshole), Rugeroo & Thunder. Her 2 grand puppies, Loki & Luna, also come to “Camp Grandmaw & Grandpaw’s” when they visit from Denver.
Corresponding Secretary
Karen Jerge
Integrated Construction Services and Solutions, Inc
Karen’s journey into construction began with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from SUNY at Buffalo, and she later pursued additional certifications in the construction trades. Her qualifications include Asbestos/Lead Abatement Contractor/Supervisor and Building Trades/Residential Light Commercial.
Her company, ICSS, provides a comprehensive suite of services including Construction Management, General Construction, Selective Demolition and Hazardous Material Abatement, Post Construction Cleaning Services, Storage Containers and Mobile Trailer Offices, Interior and Exterior Renovations, and Concrete Cutting and Core Drilling.
As a member of NAWIC WNY, Karen is a strong advocate for professional networking and actively serves on the Workforce Development/DEI Committee. Through her work, she is dedicated to supporting women and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the construction industry. Her commitment to our chapter's mission makes her a valuable addition to our board.
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Recording Secretary
Megan Kreher
RP Oak Hill Building Co., Inc.
Megan is serving her fifth term on the chapter board; most recently she served as the Treasurer for the last 2 years. Megan has been on the board and a part of the membership committee since the chapter chartered in 2020. She looks forward to hitting our goal of 125 members!
Megan has worked in the construction industry for almost 9 years. She started as an intern at RP Oak Hill Building Company Inc. while in college, growing her career until she was promoted to Project Manager. In addition to her daily duties, Megan also helps in the estimating department.
Megan is also busy at home with her 3-year-old daughter, Kayley, and 2 dogs, Bessi and Moses! Megan also sits on the Board of Trustees for the Forest Lawn Cemetery Group and is active in the Northern Erie Sno-Seekers Snowmobile Club.
