By Jenny Yu. 

Metal contractors from across the nation highlight growth, regional differences and workforce concerns in a special panel of industry leaders.  

On August 6, 2025, METALCON and MetalCoffeeShop® joined forces to host a special webinar titled “Metal Contractors Share the Real Deal.” The panel featured leaders from RMG Erectors & Constructors, Red Dog’s Roofing, Viotell Metal Concepts and Elevate Structures moderated by Heidi J. Ellsworth, owner of The Coffee Shops™.  

Anthony Ortega, CEO of Viotell Metal Concepts, spoke to the growth of opportunity in the metal roofing industry. “I think everybody here can speak to the crazy amount of opportunity that there is in metal,” he stated. “I think that there’s double-digit growth across the nation for metal, and specifically here in ski resort economies and market footprints like Park City, we’re seeing metal be the preferred choice for roofing and exterior. A lot of that has to do with sustainability, longevity and design intent.”  

While Anthony pointed to rapid expansion in the market, Patrick Cochran, CEO of Red Dog’s Roofing, emphasized the growth of consumer knowledge and education. “Our customers that want metal are very much reaching out for it,” Patrick said. “A lot of the time, they’ve done their homework, especially with the metal. They really know what they want.” Patrick explained that these uncertain times are driving educated homeowners to invest in metal for its longevity and resilience. 

Nigel Kreft, vice president of sales at Elevate Structures, pointed to demand differences by region. “The west coast is slow to respond to what we're seeing in the rest of the country simply because the entitlement process is so much longer,” he shared. “But in Florida and into the Carolinas, business is booming because the demand is there, people are moving into those areas. Every market has a very unique perspective. We don’t have a homogenous look at markets.” He observed that environmental concerns and insurance pressures are also fueling adoption of metal solutions as durable alternatives to traditional materials.  

Bobby Mesmer, CEO of RMG Erectors and Constructors, shared a global perspective. “In the pre-engineered sector, it’s continuously growing. Everybody wants to go pre-engineered because of its efficiency through design, manufacturing, erection.” Bobby stressed that while pre-engineered metal buildings are expanding globally, success depends on skilled labor, quality control and strict safety standards. 

Despite concerns about tariffs and interest rates, the panel agreed that demand for sustainable, long-lasting products is keeping the industry strong. Their message was clear: metal construction remains a sector of growth and innovation, even in the face of uncertainty. 

Watch the webinar to learn more about the state of the metal industry today, and join the conversation in person at METALCON 2025, October 21-23 in Las Vegas! 

By Jenny Yu.  

This roofing company hosted a day for youth to learn about the trades! 

On July 10, 2025, Red Dog’s Roofing held their first Community Roofing & Trades Day in Gardner, Massachusetts. The goal of the event: show young people what’s possible and unlock their future.  

“We believe the trades are not just a job, they’re a pathway to pride, purpose and prosperity,” said Matt Landry, reputation manager at Red Dog’s Roofing in a press release. “This event is our way of giving back to the community and showing students that success can come from using your hands and heart.” 

Since 2012, Red Dog’s Roofing has served their community with integrity, premium service and quality craftsmanship. They are dedicated to training and forming up-and-coming professionals, as evident through this educational, community-forward event.  

The Community Roofing & Trades Day included hands-on stations where students could explore various tools of the trades with industry professionals, resume workshopping opportunities and fun prizes and giveaways.  

One key part of the day was the Trades Panel and Q&A session. “This panel was about breaking down stereotypes,” panelist Patrick Cochran, CEO of Red Dog’s Roofing, shared with The Gardner News. “The trades offer freedom — financial freedom, creative freedom and the chance to rise as far as your work ethic will take you.” 

The event drew support from several industry leaders, including National Women in Roofing, SRS Distribution, CertainTeed, Owens Corning and ABC Supply. Together with Red Dog’s Roofing at the helm, these leaders created an experience that showed the diversity of people and opportunities that the trades provide — from shingle installation and siding application to sales, marketing and recruiting.  

“This is how we change the narrative,” Patrick stated. “We need more young people to see the trades as not just an option, but a smart, powerful path forward. Today, I think we planted a lot of seeds.” 

Learn more about Red Dog’s Roofing and their community efforts.

Photo source: Red Dog's Roofing

Our Influencers program celebrates its ninth year of giving back to the industries it serves.

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning websites where the industries meet for technology, information and everyday business, announces the 2025 Influencers for RoofersCoffeeShop (RCS), MetalCoffeeShop® (MCS), CoatingsCoffeeShop® (CCS) and RCS en Español.    

Each month, Influencers respond to a topic that is relevant and timely in their respective industry such as the ethical usage of AI, remaining competitive, using social media to grow your brand, regulatory challenges, emerging technologies and more. RCS, MCS, CCS and en Español feature Influencer responses through interviews, videos and articles. These Influencers represent every corner of the roofing, metal and coatings industries, including contractors, associations, manufacturers and service providers. Their contributions are showcased in dedicated sections on each website, shared on social media and featured in weekly eNewsletters.

“Our goal is to amplify the insights and expertise our influencers offer, tackling the key challenges faced by professionals in the roofing, metal and coatings industries,” said RCS President Heidi J. Ellsworth. “We are proud to highlight our Influencer’s wisdom and expertise across all Coffee Shops. We are committed to supporting and encouraging industry growth and are honored to promote these amazing Influencers.”

“This year, as part of the RCS en Español initiative, we are excited to shine a light on authentic voices that reflect the diversity of our industry. Their stories and expertise inspire the next generation of skilled workers and ensure that every community sees a future for themselves in the trades," Ellsworth emphasized.

We are proud to announce the following 2025 Influencers:

RoofersCoffeeShop  

1. Matt Copeland – Copeland Building Envelope  
2. Ron Harriman – retired roof consultant
3. Erica Reed – Elite Construction Solutions  
4. Rachel Garcia – Malarkey Roofing Products
5. Patrick Cochran – Red Dog’s Roofing  
6. Melissa Chapman – Glo Group  
7. Jake Magalsky – Ace Roofing  
8. Allison Woslager – Integrity PNW  
9. Steve Little – KPost Roofing & Waterproofing  
10. Lee Lipniskis – Levello Construction  
11. John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group  
12. Tammy Hall – CFS Roofing Services  
13. Ashley and Seth Pietsch – Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc  
14. Trent Cotney – Adams & Reese  
15. Rich Carroll – Carroll Consulting  
16. Jay Wade – Service First Solutions  
17. Joshua Adams – Roof Scout  
18. Lucas Severance – Slate Valley Supply  
19. Greg Hayes – Pauls Sheet Metal

MetalCoffeeShop

1. Hayley Bohmer – New Tech Machinery   
2. Jena Jackson – Indiana Metal  
3. Erik Trefzger – Orca Roofing   
4. Bob Mesmer – RMG Erectors   
5. Randy Chaffee – Source One Marketing   
6. Holly Gotfredson – American Metalcraft, Inc.   
7. John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group   
8. Haley Iselin – Metal Roof Specialties   
9. John Sheridan – Sheridan Tools   
10. Stacee Lynn – The Barndominum Company  
11. Thea Dudley – Pocket Protectors LLC
12. Robert Tiffin – Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA)
13. Greg Hayes – Pauls Sheet Metal
14. John Chan – The Durable Slate Company   
15. Renee Ramey – Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA)
16. Laurie Moore – Kreiling Roofing   
17. Travis Sliger – 4Ever Metal Roofing

CoatingsCoffeeShop

1. John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group
2. Johnny Walker – ICP
3. Greg Hlavaty – Western Colloid
4. Lisa Irby – Thomas Roofing
5. Shawn Morgan – KPost Roofing & Waterproofing
6. Joe Sorrentino – Sherwin-Williams Roofing Solutions
7. Tracey Donels – Service First Solutions
8. Greg Hayes – Pauls Sheet Metal
9. Ryan Blad – 838 Coatings
10. Will Lorenz – General Coatings
11. Greg Serevetas – USA General Contractors Corp. 
12. Zong Nguyen – CertainTeed

RCS Influencers en Español

1. Teresa Ramírez – Southeast Staffing Agency
2. Julissa Chavez – SRS Distribution
3. Jaqueline Sancen – Latinos in Roofing
4. Amparo Sancen – Sancen Contracting and Latinos En Roofing
5. Lorna Rojas – Tremco
6. Monica Vornbrock – The Glo Group
7. Duliar Valladres – SRS Distribution
8. Octavio Vázquez – Owens Corning
9. Fransisco Serrano – Roofers Going Digital
10. Sandra Damaris – Southeast Staffing Agency

Find more information on the 2025 RCS Influencers, MCS Influencers, CCS Influencers and Español Influencers. 

About The Coffee Shops

Award-winning websites and online communities make up The Coffee Shops. Starting with RoofersCoffeeShop, which launched in 2002, the growth of the sites has been explosive for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and their customers. Currently featuring four sites, RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop, CoatingsCoffeeShop and AskARoofer, all the sites are committed to advocating for the construction trades by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all contractors, while promoting positive growth, education and success of construction industries overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and overall construction information and education. The Coffee Shops are “Where the Industries Meet!” For more information, visit www.thecoffeeshops.online.