The ROI Influencers Power List 2020: Unions

By
Robert F. Russo
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Frank Spencer appeared in our Top 30 rankings.

Marie Blistan
President
New Jersey Education Association
Sure, the NJEA failed in its efforts to oust state Senate President Steve Sweeney, but it certainly won the ear of Gov. Phil Murphy. And, let’s give credit where credit is due: The state does have the top-ranked public schools in the nation, a strong selling point for business development.


Patrick Delle Cava
Business manager
IBEW Local 102
The head of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has the respect of both Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature and in his field. Training the next generation of workers with their five-year internship program in their state-of-the-art facility.


Greg Lalevee
Business manager
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825
He’s a modern-age union leader who gets it. He has kept IUOE 825 ahead of the curve by creating its own training and teaching center and taking a proactive approach to incoming technology, including all things artificial intelligence. More than anything, Lalevee understands unions work best when they are economic development partners.


Kevin McCabe
President
Carpenter Contractor Trust
Long viewed as an up-and-coming star, some say his time is now. “He could be on the list in any number of areas,” one insider said. “He is the Middlesex County Democratic chair, so he works closely with the (Assembly) Speaker, he is a commissioner at the Port (of New York and New Jersey), so he is in touch with top leaders on both sides of the river, and he is a key player in one of the most important unions, the carpenters.”


Bill Mullen
President
New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council
He’s the union man at the top. As head of the state Building and Construction Trades Council, he oversees 15 unions and more than 150,000 members. His role in helping spur economic development cannot be overstated.


Ray Pocino
Vice president and Eastern regional manager
Laborers International Union of North America
He’s the ultimate example of how unions have a seat at the table in all economic development initiatives in the state. Pocino sits on the board of the Port Authority, the Turnpike Authority and Choose New Jersey, ensuring union labor has a place in all state projects and proposals.

Click below to see who landed in the Top 30 spots on the ROI Influencers Power List 2020:

Here’s the most powerful people in 13 industries:

And to read how a political scientist made the call on who was named No. 1 on the list, click here.