Briefings

Manufacturer news

GAF videos win awards

GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., won two awards at the WorldFest—Houston International Film Festival and was presented with the awards at the WorldFest Awards Dinner in Houston April 30. This year, 4,500 entries were submitted.

GAF Materials won the Gold Award for its video, "Avoiding Roofing Disasters," which educates homeowners about how to avoid common and costly roofing mistakes. The Gold Award is the highest award presented in the Consumer Sales and Marketing category.

"We're thrilled to have been recognized by such a prestigious international organization, especially because we were competing against some of the biggest names in consumer products," says Dave Harrison, senior vice president of marketing at GAF Materials. "The video demonstrates our ongoing commitment to educating consumers so they can make the best and safest roofing choices."

GAF Materials also won the Silver Award in the Corporate Communications category for the second in a series of educational DVDs, "Winning Ways of Winning Teams." Promoting successful teamwork and presenting parallels between the way racing crews and roofing crews approach challenges, the DVD was produced by the Center for Advancement of Roofing Excellence, Indianapolis Racing League and NRCA. The first DVD, "Race to Be Safe," won the Gold Remi Award last year.

In addition, Helene Hardy Pierce, director of contractor services for GAF Materials, has been named a fellow of the Roof Consultants Institute (RCI). The title of fellow is given to individuals who contribute significantly to the advancement of the roofing industry and consulting through communication, education, research and/or service to RCI. Pierce is the first woman in the history of the program to receive the honor.

Pierce's contributions include working on the Communications Committee; writing papers and articles; reporting on RCI's convention; working on the Cool Roof Symposium; and serving on RCI's board of directors.

"Helene has earned the recognition this award bestows, having done so much for the industry," says Michael Blanchette, vice president of Amtech Roofing Consultants Inc., Dallas, and a member of the Jury of Fellows. "Each time there is a need for assistance of any kind, she willingly contributes without fail."

Up the ladder

RHEINZINK America Inc. has appointed Brian Harpring regional technical sales manager for the Southeastern U.S.

Affiliate news

CRSMCA officers begin term

The officers for the Associate Group board of the Carolinas Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (CRSMCA) Inc. began their 2005-06 term at CRSMCA's 62nd Annual Meeting June 16-19. Following are the new officers: president—Ron Collier, territory manager for TAMKO Roofing Products Inc., Joplin, Mo.; first vice president—Scott Carpenter, sales representative for SFS intec Inc., Wyomissing, Pa.; second vice president—Dale Strickland, salesperson for RMAX Inc., Dallas; and secretary/treasurer—Hank Bonney, commercial salesperson for Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J.

In addition, Bill E. Laney, president of Murr-Laney Inc., Pineville, N.C., received the Gordon M. Waters Distinguished Service Award from CRSMCA at its 62nd Annual Meeting. The award honors Laney's service to and leadership in CRSMCA and the roofing industry, including serving on CRSMCA's Contractor Executive Board as president in 2001, as well as serving on many committees.

Contractor news

Contractor passes away

Robert W. Therrien, former co-owner of The Melanson Cos., Keene, N.H., recently passed away. Therrien was 75.

Therrien was a member of NRCA's board of directors and served on various NRCA committees. He was president of the North/East Roofing Contractors Association (NERCA) and was given the Clarence Carr Award, NERCA's highest honor. Therrien played an important role in founding the North/East Roofing Educational Foundation and served on the board of directors. In addition, he was a board member of the Construction Specifications Institute.

Therrien is survived by his wife, Beverly; sons, Robert Jr. and David; daughters, Mary Lefebvre and Clara Farrar; brothers, Maurice and Joseph; several nieces and nephews; and 14 grandchildren.

The Therrien family requests donations be made to the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America, 571 Holt Ave., Manchester, NH 03109; Monadnock Humane Society, P.O. Box 678, West Swanzey, NH 03469; N.H. Catholic Charities, 215 Myrtle St., P.O. Box 686, Manchester, NH 03105; or North/East Roofing Educational Foundation, 1400 Hancock St., Seventh Floor, Quincy, MA 02169.

Contractor's wife passes away

Linda Cole Sturgeon, wife of Irvin Stumler, former owner of Insulated Roofing Contractors, Louisville, Ky., recently passed away. Sturgeon was 65.

Sturgeon is survived by her husband; daughter, Maria Gunnell; son, Eric; father, Alanson Sturgeon; sister, Mona Newell; and grandsons, Alanson, Cole and Clayton Stumler and Nicholas Gunnell.

The Stumler family requests donations be made to the Association of the Louisville Orchestra, 300 W. Main St., Suite 100, Louisville, KY 40202; Education Fund of the Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202; Louisville Deaf Oral School, 111 E. Kentucky St., Louisville, KY 40203; or Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, 802 E. 10th St., Ferdinand, IN 47532.

Other news

Groups launch initiative

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Inc. and the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) have announced the launch of a workplace improvement initiative, with a mission to "add value to the merit shop sector of the construction industry by identifying critical issues that affect cost effectiveness and driving improvements that will benefit owners, merit shop contractors and their workers." It will emphasize promoting construction work force training, retention, recruitment and career development.

The group, consisting of about 18 leaders from CURT, ABC and the union contracting community, identified about 20 future topics to be addressed at its May 10 organizational meeting. At that time, the group also developed three subcommittees—Owner Requirements for Training, Career Path Development and Retention, and Contractor Craft Worker Compensation. These subcommittees will develop problem statements and recommend plans to address the problems.

Industry online

The Metal Initiative offers information about the features and benefits of metal materials used for commercial construction on its new Web site, www.themetalinitiative.com. Intended for professional building owners and their design teams, the Web site features case studies; photo galleries; an Ask the Expert section; industry, contact and search links; and newsroom.

Metal Era Inc.'s Web site, www.metalera.com, now offers a Wind Design Calculator, a free, online calculator that helps roofing professionals calculate wind speed, as well as design pressure needed for fascia or coping to withstand wind speed. Users fill out a form describing a project and then choose either fascia or coping to receive the appropriate results.

The EPDM Roofing Association has posted newly developed downloadable restoration specifications and detail drawings on its Web site, www.epdmroofs.org. Developed by Firestone Building Products Co., Indianapolis, and Carlisle SynTec Inc., Carlisle, Pa., the new feature offers information about restoration techniques for field seams, roof drains, curb flashing and base flashing, among others.