Staff
Marin Builders Association Staff
Rick Wells
Chief Executive Officer
Role: Rick is responsible to the membership and Board of Directors for the strategic direction of the Marin Builders Association. He is charged with all management, business planning and execution, operations, and finances.
Professional: Rick specializes in building sustainable organizations. His focus is building vibrant and connected teams that share a focus on common results. He has lead teams at the San Rafael and Vallejo Chambers of Commerce.
Accomplishments/Community Service/Volunteer Activities: Rick has undergraduate degrees from Orange Coast College and the University of California, Davis. He earned a Masters of Business Administration in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco. He holds multiple professional certifications in organizational management and serves on several boards across the Bay Area.
Personal: Rick lives in San Rafael with his wife and two children. He grills a decent dinner, bakes a hyper-locally acclaimed pecan pie, works on projects around his home. He also coaches and plays golf with friends and family.
Favorite Part about Working with the Marin Builders Association: "I'm grateful to be part of a team that is dedicated to each other, committed to building our industry, and strives each day to create positive impact in our community."
Jodi Chaban
Director of Business Developement
Role: Jodi is responsible for membership growth, business development, sponsorships, events, and building strong relationships that support the Marin Builders Association and its members.
Professional: Jodi brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, business development, and event management. She spent 17 years in health club ownership and operations before transitioning into the nonprofit space. She served as the Executive Director for a local education foundation before directing fundraising efforts and large events for national health nonprofit. She has built strategic partnerships, grown membership, and connected people to opportunities that strengthen organizations and communities.
Accomplishments/Community Service/Volunteer Activities: Jodi holds a Master of Education from Chapman University and a Bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific. She was an active volunteer and leader with Home and School Clubs and gala committees throughout her daughter's school years.
Personal: Jodi has called Marin County home for 27 years. She is closely connected to the local music community and enjoys playing drums and percussion with local musicians. When she's not working, you'll find her hiking the many trails of Marin, paddleboarding, dancing to live music, and running her successful local cat sitting business. She is the proud mother of a daughter, who currently attends college in Santa Barbara, and she now shares her empty nest with three beloved cats.
Favorite Part about Working with the Marin Builders Association: "I'm excited to work with such a dedicated team to help connect with members and help build relationships that support their businesses. I'm looking forward to seeing those connections grow into lasting partnerships and a stronger community."
Orna Weisberg
Operations, Marketing & Member Services Coordinator
Role: Orna is responsible for supporting office operations, organizing, and coordinating initiatives, events, activities, and special projects.
Professional: Prior to arriving at Marin Builders Associations, Orna worked as a Logistics Manager in a pharmaceutical Company Philtel Inc. in Israel, and as an Import-Export Manager in the Israeli branch of the Solgar Inc. vitamins and supplements company. Orna was also the manager of two Hertz Inc. car rental branches in Israel. Her wide management and responsibilities background supports a deep understanding of organizations, coordination and connections, and customer service. She takes pride in her efficient time management, communication, and creativity. Orna is also an artist, and she owns two art studios for wedding vows in the Bay Area.
Accomplishments/Community Service/Volunteer Activities: "I enjoy the diversity of my responsibilities and am excited about being a part of the Marin Builders Association moving on to the next level."
Orna has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics From Tel-Aviv University, Israel. She has helped teach Hebrew for young children at Congregation Adath Israel in San Francisco.
Personal: Orna grew up and lived in Israel. She moved to San Francisco in 2009 with her family and established her own art business. She is a proud mother of three sons, Ophir (29), Jonathan (17), and Etai (14). She enjoys taking swim classes, Pilates, spin, and Barre, and mostly she loves traveling around the world.
Favorite Part about Working with the Marin Builders Association: “I really enjoy working with a group of people that helps the community to build connections, grow and succeed. I see the value and the benefits this organization brings to our local businesses and it fills me with joy to help bring my talent and skills into a place of appreciation.”
Julia Scardina
Office Administrative Assistant
Role: Julia is responsible for the front office administrative duties and helps ensure a positive experience for members and partners. In her role, she works closely with the team to ensure daily processes run smoothly, contributing to an organized, efficient, and service-oriented environment.
Professional: Prior to arriving at Marin Builders Association, Julia worked in New York City as the Concierge and Social Media Marketing Manager at Sportslab NYC where she gained experience in client relations, operations management, and digital engagement.
Accomplishments/Community Service/Volunteer Activities: Julia is a former Division I collegiate athlete at the University of Utah, where she earned her degree in Communications and Media Studies. Her background as a student-athlete reflects her discipline, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.
Personal: Julia grew up in San Rafael, California and attended Marin Catholic high school. She loves working out, hiking, traveling the world, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.
Favorite Part about Working with the Marin Builders Association: “I’m grateful to be part of a team that genuinely supports each other while contributing to the community in a meaningful and impactful way.”
Marin Builders Association Consultants
Matt O'Brien
Program Coordinator, North Bay Construction Corps Marin
Role: Matt is responsible for coordinating & supervising the North Bay Construction Corps.
Professional: Matt is a retired Battalion Chief. Matt spent his fire department career as a training officer as well as fighting fires and responding to medical calls. In the past 11 years of retirement, he has volunteered in the MarinSEL Engineering program at Terra Linda High School helping teach high school students how to utilize tools, design plans and build projects.
Accomplishments/Community Service/Volunteer Activities: Matt has been a youth sailing instructor at the Richmond Yacht Club for the past 11 years. He also still volunteers in the MarinSEL Engineering class when needed. He also serves as a volunteer for Jessica’s Haven Dog Rescue which supports adults with special abilities by transporting rescue dogs or volunteering at their fundraiser.
Personal: Matt was born and raised in Marin County. He currently lives in Terra Linda with his wife and has five grown children and six grandchildren. In Matt’s free time he loves to fish, build things, sail and travel with family and friends.
Favorite Part about Working with the Marin Builders Association: Matt enjoys being part of a team that works to help young men and women find meaningful careers in the trades.
John Paul (J.P.) Butti
Volunteer Program Advisor (Emeritus), North Bay Construction Corps
Role: JP is responsible for helping coordinate the North Bay Construction Corps.
Professional: JP is a graduate of ROP Construction Technology, a Marin Builders Association workforce development program. Using the skills learned in the ROP program, JP has been working as a carpenter for the last eight years. JP's goal is to grow a business as a residential general contractor here in Marin.
Accomplishments/Community Service/Volunteer Activities: JP coordinates NBCC, and also volunteers with Terra Linda High School’s MSEL program, where he enables the junior class to execute charity building projects each year.
Personal: JP lives in San Rafael, enjoys cooking and car racing, when he isn’t fixing something that’s broken on said race car.
Favorite Part about Working with the Marin Builders Association: "As a graduate of a Marin Builders Association program, I really enjoy the opportunity to work with the next generation of industry professionals. Given that my experience with MBA has resulted in a career that I enjoy, I consider it a privilege to guide other young people as they find their path and career."
Joshua Townsend
Government Relations Coordinator
Role: Joshua Townsend brings nearly two decades of public and private experience in leading specialized teams to engage communities to find success. His diverse expertise includes strategic outreach, marketing, governmental affairs, and crisis communication. He has trained and mentored staffs that are innovative in driving messages as well as its problem-solving ability. He has cultivated relationships through partnerships with non-profit organizations, government and corporate clients while serving on a number of local and regional Boards.
Mato Account Works - Bev Lamberson and Bea Ma
Bookkeeping
Role: Through their financial expertise, Bev Lamberson and her team establish and optimize billing, payment and reporting systems for their clients.
Professional: Mato Account Works resulted after three business plans from her early days owning a medical supplies store in PT. Richmond. She appreciates the integrity, accuracy and service approach needed to create a successful business. Her creative side enables her to come up with out-of-the-box solutions for her clients. She specializes in forecasting, budgeting and business analysis for companies and organizations, applying lessons gleaned from her experience in guiding her diverse clients' businesses, as well as her own through an ever-changing economic climate.
Accomplishments/Community Service/Volunteer Activities: Bev Lamberson was born a business owner and entrepreneur. Mato Account Works landed a spot on the Kron 4 news for, "Successful Business in the Bay Area".
Personal: Bev was born in Los Gatos, CA and raised near the Indianapolis 55 Motor Speedway, where she met Indy's winning Formula 1 drivers. She loves photography and travel. Her first international trip was to Lake Baikal in Siberia. After traveling across the USA, Europe and Australia/New Zealand, she says, "Mother Earth is full of Wonders!". Bev now enjoys life in El Cerrito with her beautiful family and dog, Jackson. Life is good!
Favorite Part about Working with the Marin Builders Association: "I enjoy the professional and trustworthy relationship we share."
ANDTHEM - Terrence Knoles
Brand Management, Design & Communications
Role: Terrence is responsible for the creative vision, brand strategy, and marketing direction for the Marin Builders Association, with a primary focus on the Marin Home Resource Guide and membership growth.
Professional: Terrence has expertise in brand identity, art direction, visual communications, and live-event branding. He translates an organization's priorities into clear, persuasive creative work that builds awareness, strengthens perceived value, and supports long-term growth. As the founding principal of ANDTHEM, he has established enduring relationships through his collaborations with a number of non-profit organizations, including the Marin Builders Association, Side by Side, and the North the Children’s Museum of Sonoma, the Marin Valentine’s Ball, and with live event clients such as Teragram, Superfly, Another Planet Entertainment, and Outside Lands.
Accomplishments/Community Service/Volunteer Activities:Terrence graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Business Administration and an emphasis in International Marketing and Finance. He also completed the International Master of Design in Graphic Design UIC/HGK Basel program (MDes Basel), a collaboration between the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW, Switzerland (HGK Basel) and the School of Design at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Terrence has also served as the brand design advisor for the Small Business Development Center of Marin and volunteered as a member of the Marin County Architectural Commission.
Personal: He is the proud father of two amazing children. Outside of work, he has also enjoyed volunteering as a soccer and Little League coach and as co-chair of local arts programs. When he’s not obsessing over design… he’s obsessing over design.
Favorite Part about Working with the Marin Builders Association: "My favorite part of working with the MBA is that I get to collaborate with an incredible team to create sustainable growth and real connections with the greater community, and to showcase the invaluable resource that is the Marin Builders Association.”
Caran Cuneo
Workforce Specialist
Role: Caran Cuneo, MSW, SPHR has joined the Marin Builders Association team to support the work of Marin Builders Association's construction education partnership programs including Education to Career, ROP Construction Technology, and North Bay Construction Corps - Marin. Caran is a Senior Professional in Human Resources with experience in leading and developing teams.
Professional: Caran has over 20 years of private sector human resource experience in the technology, service, and communication industries. Most recently, Caran served ten years with the County of Marin in the workforce development program where she supported and partnered with Marin businesses in need of talent. While at the County, Caran developed grant funded programs with a focus on construction – retraining construction professionals during the recession in 2009 in energy auditing and efficiency.
Accomplishments/Community Service/Volunteer Activities: Caran graduated with a master's degree in social work and has held a professional certification in human resources (SPHR) for the last 15 years. Caran serves on the City of San Rafael's Age Friendly task force and volunteers as a docent at the Academy of Science in San Francisco.
Personal: When not focused on workforce development, Caran enjoys playing bocce, travel and raising her new puppy Bella.
Favorite Part about Working with the Marin Builders Association: "I enjoy working to create jobs in the construction industry because these jobs are important to our economy. No one is going to outsource construction jobs."