By Emma Peterson. 

From prestigious industry awards to major mergers, here are the top ten stories kicking off the year. 

We might only be one month into 2026, but it’s already been a busy year! From trade shows like International Roofing Expo (IRE) and World of Concrete (WOC) to industry-shaking mergers and investments, a lot has happened. To help you keep up to date on everything, we’ve collected the top ten articles from this past month.  

In the top spot for January 2026 is the announcement of Lindy Ryan of Tecta America as the recipient of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s J.A. Piper Award. This award is incredibly prestigious, recognizing “roofing professionals who have devoted constant outstanding service to the association and roofing industry.” There is no one more deserving than Lindy, who first started working with NRCA in 1996 and would, in 2015, be the first woman in 129 years to serve as NRCA president.  

In the second and third place on the January 2026 list comes an article by Cotney Consulting Group highlighting the importance of construction drawing fluency and the announcement of Bone Dry Roofing and Innovative Roofing Group merging to become BDI Roofing Group, respectively.  

Check out the complete January 2026 list 

10 - Using AI to strengthen operations, not replace people by Emma Peterson

9 - QXO announces $1.2 billion convertible preferred equity investment led by Apollo to fund future acquisitions

8 - Safety in every lift, load and mile by Emma Peterson

7 - A to B Roofing Partners announces next acquisition partnership

6 - Building science: The key to high-performance structures by Emma Peterson

5 - Combining aesthetics and performance by Emma Peterson

4 - National Roofing Partners hosts partner happy hour at IRE 2026 by National Roofing Partners

3 - Two leading Northern Georgia roofing contractors merge to form BDI Roofing Group

2 - Reading beyond the roof plan by Cotney Consulting Group

1 - Lindy Ryan receives prestigious NRCA J.A. Piper Award

All 2026-27 officers and directors will assume their roles June 1.

The National Roofing Contractors Association announced its new slate of officers during its 139th Annual Convention January 20-22 in Las Vegas.

Chad Collins, executive vice president of Roofing Corp of America, Atlanta, was elected chairman of the board, and Sherri Miles, vice president of J.D. Miles & Sons Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia, was elected chairman of the board-elect. Michelle Boykin, branch manager of Weather Shield Roofing Systems, Wyoming, Michigan; Scott Kawulok, vice president of B&M Roofing of Colorado LLC, Frederick, Colorado; and Lynn Price, president of Dryspace, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were elected vice chairmen for two-year terms.

Additionally, the following were elected as new NRCA directors:

• Greg Arnold, president of Nations Roof of New England LLC, West Haven, Connecticut
• Matt Atkinson, director of commercial roofing and general manager for Bone Dry Roofing, North Charleston, South Carolina
• Alexandra Chacon, division manager of Construction Link Outsourcing, San Jose, Costa Rica
• Eric Dosch, vice president of Schwickert’s Tecta America LLC, Mankato, Minnesota
• Heidi J. Ellsworth, president of The Coffee Shops, Sisters, Oregon
• Bryson Galloway, vice president and general manager of Barr Roofing Co., Abilene, Texas
• Dave Hesse, executive vice president of Kalkreuth Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Frederick, Maryland
• Anthony Kahny, president of Deer Park Roofing LLC, Cincinnati
• Josh Kelly, senior vice president of business development for OMG Roofing Products, Agawam, Massachusetts
• Greg Malcolm, owner of Ironshore Contracting LLC, Baltimore
• Jonathan Reader, manager of R&B Roofing LLC, Garland, Texas
• Tim Stephens, vice president of operations for Architectural Sheet Metal Inc., Orlando, Florida

All 2026-27 officers and directors will assume their roles June 1.

About the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America’s families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of our members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit nrca.net.

BDI Roofing Group brings together Bone Dry Roofing, based in Athens, Georgia, and Innovative Roofing Group (IRG), based in Atlanta.

Roofing Corp of America, the home for America’s premier roofing contractors, has announced the merger of two of its North Georgia companies. The new combined organization — BDI Roofing Group — will serve customers across the region.

BDI Roofing Group brings together Bone Dry Roofing, based in Athens, Georgia, and Innovative Roofing Group (IRG), based in Atlanta. The new name reflects the initials of the two founding organizations and is paired with the tagline “Innovative Solutions. Bone Dry Results.”

The merger creates a strong footprint across the region, allowing BDI Roofing Group to deliver expanded capabilities and enhanced services to customers. The combined organization also creates new career growth and development opportunities for employees.

While the two companies previously operated independently, they have shared resources and best practices as part of the Roofing Corp of America family of companies since 2021.

BDI Roofing Group will be led by Michael Costoulas, formerly president of Bone Dry Roofing. Says Michael, “Bone Dry and IRG have each built outstanding reputations for quality, reliability and customer service. Joining these two companies brings our North Georgia customers one seamless team with the combined strength, expertise and heritage of two premier roofing organizations.”

About Roofing Corp of America

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Roofing Corp of America is building a home for the nation’s premier roofing contractors by attracting the industry’s most successful and respected entrepreneurs to join the Roofing Corp family. Through its local businesses, Roofing Corp of America delivers a wide range of roofing services to building owners, property and facility managers, homeowners’ associations, and general contractors. For additional information on Roofing Corp of America, please visit www.roofingcorp.com.