AC Associates was incorporated in New Jersey in 1972 and has grown to be
one of the largest metal deck erectors in the Northeastern United
States. All of our work is performed with union labor. We work
throughout New Jersey and New York with occasional forays to
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Delaware. While we
specialize in large, complicated projects, we will serve our customers
on their small projects. We have yet to find a project too small or too
large. Our jobs can last less than a day or more than a year. We have
erected virtually every type of metal roof deck and floor deck that is
commercially available.
AC Associates erects all types
of metal roof and floor deck, as well as metal bridge forms. We also
furnish and install shear studs for both buildings and bridges.
We not only offer our customers
erection services, we also offer assistance with material procurement,
specification analysis, detailing review and value engineering.
AC Associates stocks a limited supply of metal deck, flashing and shear studs.
If you have traveled through the
metropolitan area by car, plane, train or even by boat, you have passed
over, under, through or next to one of our jobs. If you have gone into
an office building, courthouse, hospital, school, theater or sporting
event in the metropolitan area, you have stood on or walked through one
of our jobs. If you live in our area, the power, lighting and water
that enters your home comes from a facility that we may have built or
renovated and your telephone service has been routed through a facility
that we probably worked on. If for some reason, you had the occasion to
visit one of our local "correctional facilities", you too have seen our
work. You may have even received mail that has traveled through a
facility that AC Associates has worked on.
THE AC TEAM
Robert A. Samela, President
After attending Westchester Community College, Mr. Robert A.
Samela began his career in the construction industry, working
for a general contractor and real estate developer. In 1966,
Mr. Samela became involved in the decking and decking industry,
while working with one of the major decking and siding
manufacturers in the United States. For the next few years, he
worked for several other major decking and siding manufacturer,
and finally came to rest at AC Associates in 1978. In 1985, Mr.
Samela became Vice President, and in 1989 become President. In
2008, Mr. Robert A. Samela became the sole owner of AC
Associates.
As an active member of the construction community, Mr. Samela
is the President of the Subcontractors Trade Association (STA),
Past-Chairman of the Building Trades Employers Association
(BTEA), and Past-President of the Allied Building Metal
Industries. He is also a Member of the Board of Trustees of the
Steel Institute of New York, serves as a non-member advisor of
the American Society of Civil Engineers on the Steel Deck with
Concrete Standards Committee, and is the Co-Chair Employer
Trustee on six different funds for the Iron Worker Local 40, 361
& 417 Union Security Funds. Mr. Robert A. Samela has been
listed in Who’s Who in US Executives, and Who’s Who in US
Business.
Susana C. Carvalho, Project Management
Susana Carvalho began her construction career in 1995, working for Nicholas J. Bouras, Inc., a steel deck, joist and siding manufacturer. Susana was the Executive Assistant to the Vice President for several years, and then promoted to Office Manager prior to leaving to join AC Associates in 2004.
Susana is currently responsible for Payroll, Accounts Payable, Purchasing, Material Sales and assisting in Project Management. Susana holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Finance, and holds several construction safety and training certificates. Her dedication, experience and knowledge have been an asset to AC Associates. "I am proud to be part of an industry that builds New York’s and New Jersey’s greatest steel structures. Our Union Ironworkers have demonstrated to be the best and build the best."
Gene Panarese, Senior Projects Manager
Gene Panarese, our Senior Projects Manager, began his construction career in 1981 working for Nicholas J. Bouras, Inc., a metal deck, joist and siding manufacturer based in NJ. Prior to joining AC Associates, Gene worked in many aspects of the metal decking business, including detailing over 2,500 jobs, consisting of over 100 high rises, sales for NY and NJ, and implementing the Project Management Department at Nicholas J. Bouras, Inc. Gene then joined AC Associates in 2008 with over 27 years of experience in the metal decking industry. Gene brings versatility to the AC Team, with backgrounds in detailing, sales, estimating and project management. Gene’s experience and knowledge is an asset to AC Associates.
Jerry Vogel, Warehouse and Trucking Manager
Jerry Vogel has been working for AC Associates since 1999. Jerry acquired his Mechanical Engineering Degree from NJIT, and prior to joining AC Associates, worked for a large pharmaceutical company as Project Engineer. He is currently responsible for maintaining our warehouse, keeping our equipment properly serviced, and making sure that all necessary tools, equipment and supplies are delivered to our jobsites.
Rita Weidanz, Accounting/Insurance
Rita Weidanz has been employed by AC Associates since March 1999, and is responsible for Accounts Receivable, Bookkeeping, Billing, Insurance Forms Processing, Insurance Audits, Certified Payroll and maintaining yearly OSHA Logs. Prior to joining AC Associates, Rita was employed at Norman Robbins Electric Co. for 10 years, and at Mr. Leather, a handbag manufacturer, for 15 years, where she performed various accounting and diversified office procedures. Rita states that at AC Associates "It is a pleasure working for a company whose first priority is to complete high quality work, while always assuring the employee’s safety in the field".
Leslie G. Samela
Leslie Samela worked in the construction industry, with a scaffold company, a concrete company, and window treatment company, since the 1970’s. Leslie is a graduate of Montclair State University, possessing a BS in Home Economics Education. She has worked at AC Associates on and off since the mid 1980’s, performing various functions including payroll and accounts payable. Leslie also developed the AC Associates Safety Bucks Program, from a concept presented to her, and made it a functional program.
Currently in charge of the New Jackpot Program, Leslie also acts as AC’s “pinch hitter”, taking over for others as vacations interrupt their work flow. A well rounded individual, Leslie is “always happy to help out and keep things running, no matter what it entails”.
Joseph A. DaCosta, Warehouse/Trucking
Joe DaCosta graduated from Bergen County Tech where he acquiring his ASE Certifications. Joe then worked for several auto dealerships, before joining the AC Team in 2007. Joe is currently responsible for maintaining our warehouse, making necessary deliveries to the all jobsites, servicing equipment both in house and in the field, and maintaining all company vehicles.
Robert D. Green, Field Superintendent
Robert Green began his Ironworking career in 1986. Like many young people attending college, Robert worked as an Ironworker during his vacation periods. After graduating from Lafayette College in Easton, PA in 1991, Rob chose ironworking as his profession. Over the years, he has learned all aspects of the Ironworking Trade, and has overseen and worked on many projects both in New York and New Jersey.
Robert’s career with AC Associates began in 1995. During his tenure with AC, he has learned and performed every aspect of the decking business, from installing deck to shooting studs. He has grown with our organization from journeyman to foreman, and now to Superintendent. Rob says he is “proud to work for and be part of AC Associates”.
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