CBIZ Mid-Atlantic Construction Summit

Anirban Basu is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., a Baltimore-based economic and policy consultancy he founded in 2004.  He also serves the Chief Economist function for many organizations, including the Maryland Bankers Association and Associated Builders and Contractors. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010.  In 2022, he entered the Daily Record newspaper’s Circle of Influence. He is the Distinguished Economist in Residence at Goucher College, where he teaches History of Economic Thought. He holds four graduate degrees, including a J.D. and a Ph.D.

Ben Connors is President and CEO of the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), a leading voice for Pennsylvania’s commercial construction industry. Since joining GBCA in 2014 and becoming president in 2015, he has drawn on his expertise in advocacy and labor relations to expand member services and guide the association’s strategic growth. Ben serves as a trustee for union benefit and training funds with more than $11 billion in assets. He is also a board member of the Associated General Contractors of America and Chair of its Executive Leadership Committee. A Philadelphia native, Ben earned a B.A. from Rutgers University and a J.D. from Rutgers–Camden School of Law.

Jerry Keenan is President of the New Jersey Alliance for Action, one of the state’s leading advocates for infrastructure investment and capital construction. Founded in 1974, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Alliance brings together leaders from business, labor, government, utilities, transportation, academia, healthcare and other key sectors to advance projects that strengthen New Jersey’s economy. Under Jerry’s leadership, the Alliance has expanded its membership, grown its events and strengthened its role in shaping the state’s infrastructure priorities. He works closely with decision-makers and industry leaders to highlight major projects, support environmentally responsible capital construction, and connect members with new business opportunities.

Rich McElhaney is a health and safety management leader with more than 35 years of experience and degrees in Occupational Safety & Health Management (B.S.) and Safety Science (M.S.). He has partnered with organizations worldwide to strengthen safety culture, reduce risk, and elevate operational performance. As a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Construction Risk Insurance Professional (CRIS), Rich is also an authorized OSHA and MSHA trainer with deep experience in heavy civil construction, renewable energy, MSHA environments, and oil and gas, while specializing in cranes, fall protection, confined spaces, and more.

Marty McCarthy is a Managing Director in CBIZ’s Tax practice and serves as the Mid-Atlantic Construction Leader and Regional Tax Services Leader. With more than 30 years of experience advising construction companies, he specializes in tax, financial, and operational strategies for contractors. Marty is a frequent speaker and industry thought leader, regularly sharing insights on issues affecting the construction market. He serves on CBIZ’s National Construction Services Group Executive Committee and was named to City & State Pennsylvania’s 2023 Construction Power 100 List as the only accountant recognized.

With nearly three decades of global leadership experience, Rob has helped organizations accelerate digital transformation, technology modernization, and AI adoption across eight industries and 80+ countries. He has held senior leadership roles at Grant Thornton, Rightpoint, and his own digital transformation startup, specializing in data-driven and AI-powered solutions. As Vice President of Business Innovation at CBIZ Financial Services, Rob oversees AI, automation, and digital innovation initiatives for more than 10,000 employees.

Deniz Mustafa is the Senior Director of Infrastructure Finance at the Associated General Contractors of America. In this role, he advocates for contractors on issues including infrastructure investment, procurement, and tax policy. Prior to joining AGC, Deniz worked for construction companies specializing in commercial and multi-family buildings and gained valuable experience both on the field and in the office. He grew up in Dallas, TX and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Texas A&M University.