FEI is a comprehensive three-year educational program designed to develop the management and leadership skills of future and current roofing contracting company leaders.

The National Roofing Contractors Association’s Future Executives Institute has announced its graduates for 2026. Graduates were recognized January 21 during NRCA’s 139th Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

FEI is a comprehensive three-year educational program designed to develop the management and leadership skills of future and current roofing contracting company leaders.

Following are FEI’s Class 11 graduates:

• Robert B. Baker, director of project management for Global Roofing Group, Phoenix
• Nicholas J. Barger, operations manager for Ruff Roofers Inc., Baltimore
• Dan Bloom, president of Bloom Roofing, Brighton, Michigan
• Danny Samuel Boyle III, director of project management for Delta Innovative Services Inc., Kansas City, Kansas
• Zachary Brosseau, vice president of operations for Bennett & Brosseau Roofing Inc., Romeoville, Illinois
• Clifford Brown, president of WEBCO, Metairie, Louisiana
• Phillip Cooper, project manager/business development for Total Roofing and Construction, Schererville, Indiana
• Jeanne Boyd Curtis, CEO of Boyd Bone Dry, Mansfield, Texas
• David Paul Demateo Jr., vice president of Blue’s Roofing Co., Milpitas, California
• Derek W. Dennick, vice president and general manager of Burns & Scalo Roofing Co. Inc., Pittsburgh
• Troy A. Enniss, director of estimating and project manager for Collins Roofing Inc., Lehi, Utah
• Chris Evans, vice president of estimating for KPost Company, Dallas
• Charles A. Eytchison, director of field operations for R Adams Roofing, Indianapolis
• David Furr, regional manager of Roofing Solutions, Ridgeland, Mississippi
• Jason Hostetter, vice president of Progressive Roofing Inc., Haverhill, Massachusetts
• Lindsey Birch Nicholas, president of International Roofing, Richmond, Virginia
• Salvatore Pirozzi, president of Mars Roofing, Lanham, Maryland
• Kevin Powell, CEO and project manager of Superior Roofing & Construction, San Antonio
• Brad Rabin, project manager and superintendent of A-1 Roofing Co., Elk Grove Village, Illinois
• Matt Reed, general manager of Malone Roofing, Richland, Mississippi
• Elizabeth Sanford, director of service and business development of Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing Inc., Sacramento, California
• Laura Sheehan, vice president of Merit Contracting, Rochester, Minnesota
• Blaine E. Sibby, vice president of sales and estimating for Zenith Roofing & Waterproofing, Forth Worth, Texas
• William D. Smith Jr., CEO and president of Texas Fifth Wall Roofing Systems Inc., Austin, Texas
• Joseph A. Spaid, project director for Orndorff & Spaid Inc., Beltsville, Maryland
• T.J. Taylor, senior project manager for DCG Roofing Solutions Inc., Melrose Park, Illinois
• Austin Thomas, production estimating manager and new construction sales manager for Rackley Roofing Co. Inc., Lebanon, Tennessee
• James Patrick Wassel Jr., managing director for Dixie Membrane Roofing Inc., Lawrenceville, Georgia
• John Yu, vice president of CHU Contracting Inc., Chantilly, Virginia
• Trevor Zinner, president of Nations Roof, Boise, Idaho

For more information about FEI, visit nrca.net/education/fei.

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.

The award recognizes a roofing contractor who has demonstrated a commitment to technology and the advancement of the roofing industry.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

RoofersCoffeeShop joins industry changing discussions at 2025 summit.

The 2025 National Roofing Partners (NRP) Leadership Summit gathered leading commercial roofing contractors and professionals from across the country for a powerful exchange of ideas and strategy. Held over two days, the event featured roundtable discussions, board meetings and a full main-day agenda focused on advancing business performance, workforce engagement and industry collaboration.

NRP is a national service network that delivers single-source facility solutions across roofing and building envelopes. The company supports a range of facility management needs, including specialized services for the solar industry. In 2024, the NRP network grew to over 400 partner locations, whose combined revenue totaled well over $5 billion.

“To bring together this level of tier-one contractors is incredible. The collaboration always results in forward-thinking ideas and meaningful connections for the year ahead,” said Steve Little, head coach of KPost and CEO of NRP.

The summit opened with keynote speaker Garrison Wynn, a nationally recognized motivational speaker and author. Known for blending research with humor, Garrison addressed the power of cross-generational communication. He emphasized that better understanding between generations is vital to solving the ongoing labor shortage and adapting to technology-driven change in the trades. His engaging presentation resonated with attendees and set an energetic tone for the day.

Continuing the summit’s focus on people and purpose, Mandy McIntyre of Level Up Consultants led a critical mental health roundtable, addressing one of the construction industry’s most pressing issues, suicide prevention. Mandy, founder of Level Up Consultants and a former vice president of a Cleveland-based roofing firm, guided participants through difficult but necessary conversations. With suicide as the leading cause of death in construction, her session focused on identifying warning signs and implementing workplace strategies to support mental wellness across the NRP network.

NRP also honored top-performing contractors with awards celebrating excellence in leadership, safety and operational performance.  

• Outstanding New Partner – CanTex Roofing & Construction
• Service Partner of the Year – Springer-Peterson Roofing & Sheet Metal  
• Projects Partner of the Year –  OneRoof Solution
• Strategic Solutions Partner of the Year – Rackley Roofing
• Most Valuable Partner (MVP) – Greenwood Industries

A highlight of the summit was the annual industry panel that I got to moderate and which was sponsored by RoofersCoffeeShop® for the sixth consecutive year. The panel featured industry leaders Joe Jolicoeur of Greenwood Industries, Daniel Martinez of Chase Bank, Mark Schouten of Diversified Roofing Corporation, Joe Bazzano of Beacon Consulting and Kevin Somers of Carlisle Construction Materials. Topics included market trends, mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, material pricing and consumer confidence. The panel also fielded live questions from attendees, fostering an open and informed conversation.

“This panel continues to be one of the most valuable parts of the summit,” said Kyrah Coker, president of NRP. “Each year we gather leading voices in the industry to break down what’s happening and what roofing companies need to pay attention to. RoofersCoffeeShop consistently delivers high-level insight and conversation through its panel leadership.”

The summit concluded with a legal and regulatory update from construction attorney Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese. He addressed major developments in tariffs, immigration and policy trends impacting roofing contractors nationwide. “Hearing from Trent is always a highlight,” said Kyrah. “This summit reflects the strength and unity of our contractor network. It is an honor to bring these leaders together to drive our industry forward.”

The award recognizes a roofing contractor who has demonstrated a commitment to technology and the advancement of the roofing industry.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced that it has opened the nomination period for the 2024 Innovator of the Year Award. This award was created to nationally recognize a roofing contractor that has contributed to the advancement of the roofing industry through technical innovation and/or product development in one of the following areas:

• Production/technology efficiency
• Safety innovation
• Client service/quality of delivery 
• Employee recruitment/training/retention
• Environmental impact

Award judging criteria will be based on innovation, results, design and strategy. Nominations are reviewed blindly by a team of RT3 members and past award recipients who select the winner. The 2024 recipient will be announced at the Best of Success conference, December 4-6, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida.

To be eligible, a roofing contractor must be licensed and bonded for a minimum of five years and have a minimum $2 million in annual revenue. They also must be a member of a professional industry association and be able to cite community enrichment ties through support of non-profits or company culture programs.

Previous winners include John Kiesel of Galena, Ohio-based Division 7 Roofing (2023), Joe Hoffman of Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Hoffman Weber Construction (2022), Ken Kelly of Naples, Florida-based Kelly Roofing (2021), Scott Riopelle of Denver, Colorado-based Interstate Roofing (2020) and Curtis Sutton of Carthage, Tennessee-based Rackley Roofing (2019). 

For more information and to submit an award application, visit our website. There is a $50 nomination fee to cover processing and award costs. The nomination period closes September 30, 2024.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry.  RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses.  With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. www.rt3thinktank.com.

By Lauren White.

Five teams presented during the 10th anniversary of the Construction Management Student Competition. 

Day 2 of the International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2024 and we're starting the day with one of our favorite events, the Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition, which is celebrating it's tenth anniversary (the year of tin) this year!

This competition promotes careers in roofing industry management. Each team is comprised of four undergraduate students and they create their own roofing company and assume the roles of superintendent, project manager, QA/QC manager and safety manager, among others. 

Ten teams submitted written proposals by November 17, 2023 for the judges to review and score prior to the competition. Five finalist teams were selected to travel to Las Vegas and compete. The teams include:

1. Bradley University - Competing for the fifth time this year, team members include Tyler Pilon, Tadgh Spillane, Attilio Levato and Adam Wascher (team captain). 
2. Texas A&M - John Falavolito (team captain), Julian Hood, Yahir Santiago and Hogan Leftwich. They started us with a Aggie "howdy!" to start the presentation.
3. University of Florida - Grayson Johnson, Rachel Deal, Nick Hanson and Davis Lunger
4. Auburn University - Kyle Shaull, Jack Armstrong, Mary Madalyn Massengale (team captain), Arjun Varadhan
5. Colorado State University - Caleb Borton, Ryan Schmick, William Macquire (team captain) and Carson Stevens

Each year, a building is selected for the project in the same location IRE and the Student Competition take place. This year, the students project was the Formula 1 Paddock Building in Las Vegas, Nevada. As part of the written proposal, each team researches the project, reviews plans and specifications and creates a full estimate and proposal to submit a qualified bid package. Also important is finding a competitive edge to differentiate themselves from their competition.

Unique to the Formula 1 Paddock project is the dual purpose of the roof — not only does it provide protection to the building and its occupants, but portions of the roof system also serve as rooftop viewing areas of the Paddock. Other factors include a very tight timeframe to complete the project, as well as planning for a safe work environment, which all wil be considered by the judges.

A panel of roofing professionals score both the written proposal and the oral presentation today. And new this year are audience judges who also score the written presentation today but have not seen the written proposal before. Michelle Boykin of Rackley Roofing was one of the judges and she said, "It's fun to be a part of the judging proces. It's great to see this next generation having so much excitement and energy for the roofing industry. You can see and feel the energy they have for it. And it's just a really great experience."

After each presentation, the eight judges of the panel have time to ask questions of the teams. The judges assume the role of general contractor, owner and design team looking to assemble a team that can meet the demands of the project at hand. 

Considerations such as weather, project timeline, technology, safety equipment and training and material pricing, among many other details are considered by the students during their project proposals and presentations. During the oral presentation, students are scored on the quality of their presentation, the feasibility of their project management, innovation and use of technology, quality of safety and quality control/quality assurance, and their answers to the judges questions.

These oral presentations were not only looked professional, but the students spoke eloquently, presented well thought out proposals with very specific details and know roofing.

Tonight, the winning team will be announced during the NRCA Awards Ceremony and Reception. Stay tuned to see which of these deserving teams is the 2024 winner of the Construction Management Student Competition!

2023 has been a year of great transformation for National Women in Roofing!

Under the leadership of the Executive Committee, Jennifer Keegan, Anna Anderson, Christee Holbrook, Christine Mockenhaupt and Michelle Boykin, 2023 has been a year of great transformation for National Women in Roofing (NWIR)! Supported by a phenomenal Board of Directors, NWIR has grown from a start-up and fully transitioned into a well-established association. 

This transformation has been supported by Adams & Reese as they continue to provide guidance on legal issues and risk management for the association. Ashlee Poplin, along with other attorneys at Adams & Reese, including longtime NWiR supporter Trent Cotney, provides guidance on legal issues and risk management for the association. Hilary Morgan stepped down from her role as General Counsel recently after serving as General Counsel since 2017, and the association is grateful for her many years of service. 

In addition to strengthening our governance with the support of Adams & Reese, this transition has incorporated: 

• Intentional inclusion of male allies and advocates 

• Addition of the At-Large Board Member position 

• A new full-time Executive Director 

The intentional inclusion of male allies and advocates was an important step to leverage NWIR’s platform to promote equity within the industry. We truly are stronger together and will continue to grow and impact change as a collective. Incorporating this approach directly into the NWIR Leadership, we are excited to share the growth of the Board of Directors with the addition of the At-Large Board Member position.  

The first At-Large Members are John Kenney of Cotney Consulting in Florida, who is the first male ally and NWiR member nominated to this position; and Susan DeGrassi, who is a long-standing board member of NWiR with Antis Roofing in California. This position is a non-voting seat intended to bring specific expertise to the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee will assign specific tasks to best leverage their expertise to support NWIR Initiatives. 

Just a few weeks ago, National Women in Roofing welcomed our new, full time Executive Director, Katie Bodiford! Check out her press release for the full story. 

All of this would not have been possible without the grace shown by our Board of Directors as we navigated all of the transitions that have come along with this transformation. This Board dedicates their time and energy through committee leadership to empowering women in the roofing industry and have been instrumental during this evolution.  

With change being the only constant, NWIR welcomed the newest leaders that were invited to join our Board of Directors, including:  

• Anne Marie Bourque, Enercorp, Quebec Canada 

• Wendy Lucas, PB Roofing, New Jersey 

• Kimberly Reichert, S-5!, Colorado 

• Manaya Robertson, CertainTeed, North Carolina 

• Shelby Smith, Owens Corning, Texas 

• Jodi Thomas, Henry, A Carlisle Company, Michigan 

• Casey Troxclair, KPost Roofing & Waterproofing, Texas 

This diverse Board of Directors is under the leadership of The Executive Committee, that is diverse in their own right. Their unique perspectives and blend of industry segments, leadership positions, and technical strengths are varied and lend to their collective strength, balance, and vision. The current Executive Committee includes: 

• Immediate Past Chair: Michelle Boykin, Rackley Roofing, Tennessee 

• Chair: Jennifer Keegan, GAF, Pennsylvania 

• Vice Chair: Anna Anderson, Art Unlimited, Minnesota 

• Treasurer: Christee Holbrook, Graham Roofing, Mississippi 

• Secretary: Christine Mockenhaupt, SRS Distribution Inc., New Jersey 

Past chairs Renae Bales, Jennifer Stone, Shari Carlozzi and Heidi Ellsworth remain engaged in the association, chairing special committees and providing advice and counsel regularly to the association and to women throughout the industry. 

Jennifer Keegan, Chair of NWiR, celebrates the commitment of the Board of Directors by saying, “The women (and now a male ally) on the Board of Directors inspire me daily with their willingness to roll up their sleeves and lead with such grace and heart! We truly wouldn't be where we are without this powerhouse of industry leaders who embrace NWiR with passion and intention. I am truly grateful for their grace and grit throughout our evolution this year.” 

Interested in getting involved? Click here to sign up for a committee, see what all the buzz is about, and contribute to the advancement of this association. 

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About National Women in Roofing 
A full listing of the Board of Directors can be found at https://nationalwomeninroofing.org/board-of-directors/. National Women in Roofing (NWiR) is a 501(c)6 volunteer-based organization that supports and advances the careers of women roofing professionals, from those working in manufacturing to design to installation, investigation to repair to management, and every step in between. We provide networking, mentoring, education, and industry recruitment opportunities from the rooftop to the boardroom, for the young professional at the start of her career to the seasoned manager in the executive suite. Through our commitment to connect and empower women in roofing, we contribute to the overall betterment and professionalism of the roofing industry. Membership also includes and welcomes male allies who support the empowerment of women in the roofing industry. Learn more at www.nationalwomeninroofing.org 

By Dani Sheehan. 

Already attending the MRCA conference in Omaha, Nebraska this year? Don’t miss the MRCA Reception and Foundation Auction while you’re there. 

It’s that time of year again! Join the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association’s (MRCA) 11th annual Foundation Auction event on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the Hilton Omaha Grand Central Ballroom. It’s just one of numerous special events the MRCA conference has to offer this year. The Black and White Ball is free to all registered attendees and exhibitors and will feature a reception along with both a silent and live auction.  

The auction benefits educational programs, industry research and academic scholarships for MRCA members and their families. This year alone the MRCA Foundation has funded two impactful research studies and 15 scholarships amounting to over $182,000. That’s just for 2023. Donations made to the Foundation Auction are what make this possible. The findings of the two studies will be released during the conference! 

Meet new people and shake hands with old friends as you sort through the silent auction tables and bid on your favorites. With so many options, you’re sure to find something you can’t live without. Stay for the finale and feel your heart pumping with the introduction of each new item during the live auction. It’s going to be a hit! You’ll have the chance to win a six-month R-Club membership with RoofersCoffeeShop®, go on a guided pheasant hunt or take a hot air and induction welding safety class – and that’s only the beginning. Rackley Roofing has donated the big-ticket item for the event, giving you the chance to win two suite tickets to the Country Music Association (CMA) Fest in Nashville, Tennessee next June! 

Unable to attend in person? Consider donating an auction item and show your support from afar! Last year’s Foundation Auction raised a record-breaking amount of over $102,000. Can we break the record again this year? View the auction website to see what’s already been donated or to donate yourself.

By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group.

How the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated technological advancement in business and what roofing contractors need to do to keep up.

History has shown us that those who do not adapt to their evolving environment become extinct. Technology, and the constant change it promotes, is the evolutionary factor in business. Year 2020 and COVID-19 have changed technology, the world and our industry. Shockingly, a large amount of roofing businesses do not implement technology into their organizations. This concerning conclusion was found after conducting a survey across the construction industry. To contractors, the word technology may have negative connotations, however, these technological systems have become a commodity and are so cost-effective that the return on investment is seen quickly. So, the main opponent the roofing industry faces is a resistance to change. Taking up technology as the force behind the advancement in business is the path we must take if we want to continue growing and not fall through the cracks of time.

Contractors should be looking at the advantages of using technology, and the list is endless. One of the more apparent benefits is efficiency. Technology helps a business understand its market, determine their most profitable projects, predict future sales and learn how to match the best estimator/sales/operations or service tech team for maximum profit and customer satisfaction.

Productivity changes how you do business. Using technology, you will be able to track where time is spent and streamline your work processes. Utilizing new technology will make your team more efficient, allowing them to focus on tasks that matter and can bring sales in the door. For example, think about how much time your team needs to input data like timecards, bids, business contacts and draft reports. These are all items that can be automated with the use of technology. Utilizing simple technology tools will show a vast increase in your teams' productivity.

Stay ahead of the competition! The construction industry seems to have new competitors at every turn. It is vital for your organization to stay in front of your customers, and also stay current with the latest trends in roofing. You are utilizing technology to find new leads before your competitors do.

2020 has brought new challenges to our industry, and working remotely has been an unavoidable way of the world since COVID-19 was thrust upon us. Many businesses in construction were not prepared to have remote employees. Companies are now forced to enhance their technology to allow your team to work remotely and to do it in a manner to keep your information secure. Overall, having a technological system where your team can work from anywhere is essential.

Social media and marketing will, without a doubt, change your business and how consumers see you. Facebook is the perfect place to represent your business. It is entirely free to make a business page! By giving your company a social media presence, you will generate more business. Posting pictures and videos of projects will provide clients with a portfolio of your company's performance; this will enhance your company's credibility. By having a Facebook, you can always stay connected with your clients and have a line of 24-hour communication.

To get an idea of how technology is being implemented in the roofing industry, we interviewed with the 2019 Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) Innovator of the Year award-winning company, Rackley Roofing. We spoke to Michelle Boykin, COO, who has been with the company for ten years.

We asked Michelle why she thinks there are so many roofing companies that still don't use any technology. Boykin: "It's easy to get stuck in the ‘we've always done it this way’ mentality. Roofing is already behind the game in technology, so many companies are still old school. The problem with this is that these companies will get left behind, while those who have adopted and adapted to new technologies will have a better chance of succeeding."

Rackley Roofing is one of the most technologically advanced roofing companies in the industry. Rackley Roofing uses CRM, field data capture and invoicing to ensure prompt billing for its customers. They also utilize an ASSP Virtual Reality Fall Protection for their employees; this is to educate their team in a creative, hands-on way. Their company vehicles are all equipped with GPS and fleet video systems. They use a messaging platform for internal communications, and they also use Zoom for meetings, which was a great asset when working remotely throughout the past few months.

The Rackley Roofing team is always thinking of new innovative ways to use technology to help their employees learn and grow! They recently introduced Microsoft Holollens with Remote Assist (Virtual Reality) into their business, which has allowed them to educate their office staff on roof inspection, something that once was only available by going on each roof with their employees.

At the end of the day, no matter how technologically advanced your company is, Cotney Consulting Group wants your company to save time and make money by running efficiently. With our services, we can show you how you can utilize technology with the right tools and allow your business to have access to a broader audience in a short time period. This means that a company can grow its client network faster and service more clients all at one time.

To learn more about how to implement technology into your business, contact John Kenney at Cotney Consulting Group.

Learn more about Cotney Consulting Group in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory.

Original article source: Cotney Consulting Group

RCS Influencer Michelle Boykin says that their local suppliers helped them get through high-demand situations with ease. 

Earlier this year, our area (Tennessee) was hit with massive tornadoes.  While this isn’t necessarily anything out of the ordinary in our part of the country, the storms hit harder than what we are used to seeing, and many offices, industrial buildings, schools and homes were damaged or destroyed in the process.  As such, Rackley, along with every other roofing contractor in Tennessee, began scrambling to repair and restore businesses and homes as quickly as we could.  I am sure you can imagine, almost immediately the big box, national stores began to run low on many supplies, which had a negative effect on many of the contractors trying to help their customers gain access back to their buildings.   

Thankfully, the great relationships with our local suppliers allowed us to get the materials we needed easily.  They knew how important it was to have the materials delivered quickly and safely to each jobsite, and they knew there would be a continual need in the coming weeks and months to keep up with demand.  When we had to work around the clock to get a huge warehouse facility dry to bring back their workforce, they showed up around the clock with us to make sure we were able to get the massive job complete.   

Then, two weeks later when COVID-19 hit, and many of the big box stores were closed or completely out of supplies, we were able to continue our work without a hitch because our local suppliers kept up with our demand without any issues.   

Having a personal relationship with your local supplier gives you more freedom and peace of mind in doing business day to day.  This becomes even more apparent during a major storm, or in a pandemic like where we are now.  They know us by name.  They know our families.  They know our communities.  They attend church with us.  They see us at our local restaurants for dinner.  That’s something that goes missing from the typical big box stores.   

Big box stores are not the enemy.  They do and can serve a purpose.  When I want to stroll through the paint aisle to find a new kitchen paint scheme, or when I want to find tile for my bathroom renovation, those big box stores are perfect.  When we have an emergency roof leak to repair late on a Saturday and we need a few items, the crews know they can stop by one of these places.  But our “home” is with our local folks.   

My recommendation: Save your home improvement and “honey do” lists on Sunday afternoon trips to the big chains.  But the important supplies, the supplies that keep your team members working and your customers happy—those purchases should go to local suppliers.   

Michelle Boykin is the COO and Integrator of Rackley Roofing Company, Inc. See her full bio here.