ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE
The Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe (CATT) was founded in 1998 by local contractors with two clear priorities: address the impacts of local agencies on the building trade and improve overall professionalism within the industry. Today, CATT is the recognized voice of the building and construction industry in the Truckee-Tahoe region, serving contractors, subcontractors, and allied professionals across California and Nevada.
CATT is a 501(c)6 trade association governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. It also manages CATTPAC, a registered Political Action Committee, and CATT Community Project, a 501(c)3 charitable arm. CATT holds reciprocal memberships and affiliations with regional organizations including the Nevada County Contractors Association, North State Building Industry Association, Sierra Green Building Association, Builders Association of Northern Nevada, Builders Association of Western Nevada, and the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors. CATT is headquartered at 12313 Soaring Way, Suite 1A, Truckee, CA.
CATT's mission: “To promote a positive business environment for the building and housing industry and enhance opportunities for its members and the community.”
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced advocate and relationship-builder to lead one of the most active regional trade associations in the Sierra Nevada. The Truckee-Tahoe area is a complex, high-demand environment for contractors: overlapping jurisdictions across California and Nevada, aggressive permitting timelines driven by compressed construction seasons and weather constraints, housing supply pressures, evolving wildfire and home hardening regulations, and ongoing tension between growth and the region's environmental and resort-community priorities.
CATT already has a strong operational foundation: a seasoned Membership Manager oversees day-to-day operations and serves as Office Manager. This frees the Executive Director to focus where CATT needs leadership most: as the industry’s primary advocate before local government, regulatory bodies, state agencies, and the public. The next ED will be a well-networked, persuasive champion for the construction industry who is equally comfortable testifying at a planning commission meeting and building relationships at a community mixer. Equally important, this leader will play a pivotal role in advancing the philanthropic mission of CATT Community Project, driving fundraising efforts, pursuing grant opportunities, and building the long-term financial foundation for CATT CP’s growth and expanded community impact.
THE POSITION
The Executive Director is the chief executive of CATT and the organization’s primary advocate, lobbyist, and public face. The ED is responsible for the strategic direction of the association, leading its advocacy and government affairs program, advancing member interests before elected officials and regulatory agencies, and overseeing staff, finances, and CATT’s broader programs. This full-time, exempt position reports directly to the Board of Directors and is based in Truckee, California.
With a Membership Manager in place to handle association operations, the ED is expected to devote the majority of their time to advocacy, fundraising, stakeholder relationships, and strategic leadership. Critically, this person must be a natural motivator: someone who can inspire others to get involved, take action, and see the value of their CATT membership. The best candidate will be equally energized by closing a new member as by winning a policy fight.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising, Advocacy & Government Affairs (Primary Focus)
- Develop and execute an annual fundraising strategy for CATT Community Project in collaboration with the Board and CATTCP Committee, with clear goals and measurable outcomes.
- Identify and pursue grant funding opportunities at the local, state, and federal level to support CATT CP programs and initiatives.
- Cultivate relationships with philanthropic partners, foundations, and individual donors to advance CATT CP's fundraising goals.
- Lead fundraising campaigns, special events, and donor stewardship efforts on behalf of CATT Community Project.
- Serve as CATT’s chief advocate before local planning commissions, city councils, county boards, building departments, regional agencies, and state and federal legislators affecting the Truckee-Tahoe construction industry.
- Monitor, analyze, and respond to legislation, ordinances, permitting policy changes, fee increases, and regulatory developments in both California and Nevada that affect CATT members.
- Build and maintain deep, ongoing relationships with elected officials, agency staff, planning and building department leaders, and community stakeholders across the region.
- Represent CATT at public hearings, agency meetings, and legislative sessions; prepare and deliver public testimony on behalf of the association and its members.
- Develop and execute a proactive government affairs strategy in collaboration with the Government Affairs Committee, with clear annual priorities and measurable outcomes.
- Lead the Government Affairs Committee; staff committee meetings, coordinate member engagement on advocacy priorities, and ensure timely response to emerging issues.
- Oversee CATTPAC activities in coordination with legal counsel and in compliance with applicable PAC regulations; coordinate campaign contribution decisions with the Board.
- Lead CATT’s advocacy on fire safety, home hardening, and wildfire mitigation policy, a growing and distinctive priority for the region.
- Monitor and engage on housing policy, infrastructure permitting, environmental regulations (including TRPA and CEQA/NEPA processes), and workforce development initiatives that affect the building industry.
- Establish and maintain CATT’s presence and credibility as the go-to voice for the construction industry in all interactions with government and the media.
- Coordinate with affiliated and partner organizations on shared legislative and regulatory priorities.
Public Relations & Communications
- Serve as CATT’s primary spokesperson to media, government, and the public; draft and deliver statements, op-eds, and press releases as needed.
- Cultivate CATT’s public image as a professional, community-oriented, and credible industry association.
- Communicate advocacy updates and wins to members through newsletters, the website, social media, and direct outreach.
- Represent CATT at community events, chamber functions, regional coalition meetings, and industry conferences.
Strategic Leadership & Board Relations
- Partner with the Board of Directors to set the strategic direction and annual priorities of the organization.
- Report regularly to the Board on advocacy activities, legislative developments, financial status, and organizational performance.
- Implement Board-approved policies, programs, and budgets; serve as official recordkeeper including Board meeting minutes.
- Identify emerging issues, opportunities, and risks facing the regional construction industry and recommend proactive responses to the Board.
Organizational Oversight
- Supervise CATT staff; the Membership Manager reports to the Executive Director and manages day-to-day association operations, member services, events, and office administration.
- Review and approve the annual budget developed in collaboration with the Membership Manager; authorize expenditures and contracts within Board-approved parameters.
- Oversee CATT Community Project (501(c)3) charitable programs, including the Veterans Project, which supports local veterans through trades-related initiatives, and the Jay Lebel Scholarship Fund, which provides educational scholarships to students pursuing careers in the construction trades.
- Maintain awareness of membership trends and support the Membership Manager on strategic membership initiatives as needed.
- Support fundraising efforts for CATT Community Project programs, including donor cultivation, grant awareness, and campaign coordination in collaboration with the Board and CATTCP Committee.
- Advance the long-term philanthropic sustainability of CATT Community Project by identifying and pursuing grant funding, cultivating relationships with donors and funding partners, and building the organizational infrastructure to support CATT CP’s growth and expanded community impact.
- Position CATT Community Project for long-term growth as a well-funded, grant-eligible 501(c)3 organization with the capacity to support community development, trade skill development, housing initiatives, education, and apprenticeship programs at increasing scale. The Executive Director will play a key role in building the foundation for CATT CP’s future expansion and impact in the Truckee-Tahoe region.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Significant experience in government affairs, public policy, political advocacy, or lobbying, ideally with exposure to land use, construction, housing, or a related industry.
- Demonstrated track record of building productive relationships with elected officials, agency staff, and community leaders.
- Experience testifying before public bodies, navigating regulatory processes, or otherwise engaging government on behalf of an organization or constituency.
- Familiarity with the Truckee-Tahoe region’s political landscape, local agencies (Town of Truckee, Placer County, Nevada County, TRPA, Tahoe City PUD, etc.), and construction environment is strongly preferred.
- Experience operating across California and Nevada or other multi-jurisdiction environments is a plus.
- Prior leadership role in a trade association, chamber of commerce, nonprofit, or government relations function, minimum five years.
- Strong strategic thinking: ability to identify priorities, build coalitions, and advance a policy agenda over time.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; comfort with public speaking, media engagement, and legislative testimony.
- High political acumen and emotional intelligence; skilled at navigating competing interests and finding common ground.
- A natural motivator and energizer: someone who can inspire contractors, members, and volunteers to get involved, take action, and invest in CATT. This is not a behind-the-desk role.
- A closer: comfortable asking for the membership sale, the committee commitment, the sponsorship, or the vote. Gets things done and moves people to action.
- Ability to manage and motivate staff, volunteers, and committee members.
- Significant experience with fundraising, donor relations, grant writing, or charitable program development is strongly preferred; experience with PAC management is a plus.
- Proficiency with standard business and communications technology; familiarity with Association Management Software (GrowthZone) is a plus.
In addition, this position includes a health insurance stipend of $1,000 to $1,500 per month, 401k after 90 days with a 4% match, and up to a $20,000 annual performance bonus based on a 15% - 30% - tied to NEW sponsorships/fundraising dollars.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience leading fundraising campaigns?
- Do you have experience with donor stewardship?
- Do you have experience in government affairs, public policy, political advocacy, or lobbying?
- Do you have experience testifying before public bodies, navigating regulatory processes, or otherwise engaging government on behalf of an organization or constituency?
Work Location: In person
