The Roofing Alliance continues to give back

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

The Roofing Alliance Spring Meeting offered meaningful updates, outstanding networking and renewed energy for the year ahead.

The April 2025 Roofing Alliance Member Meeting, held at Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, delivered vital industry updates and highlighted the growing impact of the Roofing Alliance’s core initiatives. President Reed Gooding of GSM Roofing opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and setting the tone for a dynamic and productive gathering.

Finance Committee Chairman Jason Dark presented the financial report, followed by a timely market outlook from Jack Krapf of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Krapf discussed current economic volatility and shared insight into key concerns surrounding national debt refinancing, tariffs and immigration policy — important topics affecting members businesses.  

Roofing Alliance Executive Director Alison LaValley led the committee updates, emphasizing the remarkable work of Roofing Alliance volunteers across several initiatives. These included the Student Competition, the Ronald McDonald House Charities partnership, MVP Program, Clemson University partnership and roofing curriculum, SkillsUSA engagement, sustainability efforts, and the creation of the new Center for Roofing Innovation and Leadership.

Kyle Thomas of Thomas Roofing, chairman of the Construction Management Committee, recapped the successful 2025 Student Competition and announced that planning for the 2026 event at the International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas is already underway. He also previewed a fall faculty retreat that will support construction management professors in bringing more roofing-focused curriculum to their programs. Dennis Conway of Commercial Roofers noted the growing number of construction graduates entering the roofing profession, many with entrepreneurial aspirations, a positive sign for the industry's future.

Professor Dhaval Gajjar shared a comprehensive update on the Roofing Alliance-Clemson University partnership, which continues to evolve and expand after seven years. Notable initiatives include a three-course online certificate program designed to attract and retain roofing professionals, the publication of three textbooks dedicated to roofing education and a large-scale project documenting sustainability and resiliency within the roofing industry. The upcoming fourth course will focus on sustainability and resiliency and is expected to lead to the creation of a roofing minor. All these efforts support the vision behind the Center for Roofing Innovation and Leadership, which will serve as a groundbreaking hub for advancing leadership, innovation, and sustainability in roofing.

Members were energized by these developments. Piers Dormeyer of EagleView encouraged attendees to take advantage of the new educational resources, especially the certificate training program, to help strengthen the future roofing workforce.  

Roofing Alliance Senior Advisor Bill Good followed with an update on the Roofing Alliance’s longstanding partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, which began in 2017. Since then, the Roofing Alliance has helped inspect and maintain roofs, contributed to more than 20 reroofing and expansion projects, and provided more than $3 million in donated services and materials.

One of the most memorable moments of the meeting was the announcement of the 2024-25 Bennett Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding volunteerism and significant contributions in support of the Roofing Alliance and the roofing industry. This year’s recipient, Dudley Miles of J.D. Miles & Sons, was recognized with a heartfelt tribute video celebrating his remarkable impact. Watch the video here.

The meeting also marked a transition in leadership, as Reed Gooding passed the presidency to Greg Hudson of Georgia-Pacific. Both leaders have shown unwavering dedication to the Roofing Alliance and its mission. The membership's commitment to the Roofing Alliance's four pillars—Technology, Education, Philanthropy and Sustainability — is both inspiring and foundational to its continued success.

The Roofing Alliance Spring Meeting offered meaningful updates, outstanding networking and renewed energy for the year ahead.