Briefings

Contractor news

Tecta America launches service program

Skokie, Ill.-based Tecta America Corp. has launched TectaService, a comprehensive roof service program for Tecta America customers who require roof system asset management beyond initial roof system installation.

TectaService incorporates TectaCare, a comprehensive preventative maintenance program, and TectaTracker, a proprietary Web-based roof asset management program.

"Our goal is to take the worry out of unseen roofing issues for our customers," says Rick Sabol, Tecta America's general manager and head of the TectaService division. "We are responding to customers who demand ongoing information and assistance with maintenance and capital planning for their roof systems."

Florida contractor passes away

Robert M. Hightower, president of Hightower Roofing Co., St. Petersburg, Fla., passed away June 25. He was 76.

Hightower's company has been a member of the Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association Inc. (FRSA) for more than 40 years. He served on numerous FRSA committees and was a trustee of the FRSA Educational and Research Foun­dation and FRSA Self Insurers Fund.

Hightower is survived by his wife, Bonnie; sons, Robbie and Richard; daughters, Patricia Hartlep and Linda Lee; sister, Marian Lowry; and nine grandchildren.

Manufacturer news

Polyglass® USA develops education program

Fernley, Nev.-based Polyglass USA Inc. has partnered with Ron Blank & Associates Inc., San Antonio, to develop Advances in Membrane Roofing, a Web-based education program focused on self-adhering roof membranes.

The education program focuses on advanced adhesive technology, new products, and industry trends and innovations and features a final exam that allows participants to earn one Learning Unit under the American Institute of Architects' Continuing Education Program's Health, Safety and Welfare section.

Upon completion of the course, a certificate of completion will be e-mailed to the participant.

The Garland Co. receives award

The Garland Co. Inc., Cleveland, has been granted the 2006 Leading EDGE Award by The Entrepreneurs Economic Development through Growth and Entrepreneurship (EDGE), a nonprofit organization that promotes economic development in northeast Ohio.

Award winners are determined based on a formula that calculates value through a combination of earnings, employee compensation, innovation, entrepre­neurial ventures and philanthropy.

Firestone executive announces retirement

James Hoff, Indianapolis-based Firestone Building Products Co.'s vice president of technology, has retired. However, Hoff will remain with Firestone Building Products until the end of this year to coordinate a green roofing initiative. Hoff has worked with Firestone Building Products for 22 years and had been in his current position since 2004.

The company has named John Geary its new vice president of technology. Geary has 25 years of roofing industry experience and served as Firestone Building Products' marketing director since 2006.

Other news

PIMA celebrates anniversary

The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

To celebrate this event, PIMA has focused its attention on energy efficiency by sponsoring the Alliance to Save Energy's EE Global 2007 event. This event includes the convening of scientific, business and political leaders; activists; and the media to discuss and explore new ideas and techniques relating to energy efficiency.

Additionally, PIMA member Huntsman Polyurethanes, West Deptford, N.J., has made a donation in PIMA's name to the Alliance to Save Energy.

MCA donates to charity

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) recently donated labor to reroof the rectory of St. Maurice Church in New Orleans, which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

MCA roofing workers partnered with Houston-based Commercial Siding and Maintenance to install a standing-seam metal roof system on the church rectory's large steep-slope roof. The project's metal roof panels and flashings were fabricated by NRCA member Hy-Tec Roofing Services, St. Rose, La.

Other material and labor donations were made by NRCA member Architectural Metal Specialties Inc., Douglasville, Ga.; Force Engineering and Testing, Humble, Texas; NRCA member ITW Buildex, Itasca, Ill.; Metal Building Supply, Houston; NES Rentals, New Orleans; Samco Machinery, Toronto; NRCA member Sheffield Metals, Sheffield Village, Ohio; and NRCA member Triangle Fastener Corp., Pittsburgh.

RCI issues call for papers

The RCI Foundation, Raleigh, N.C., in conjunction with the National Institute of Building Sciences, Washington, D.C.; the National Research Council Canada, Ottawa; and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn., is issuing a call for papers about sustainable building envelope design. Examples of topics include sustainable systems, materials and practices; sustainability metrics; and design issues.

Chosen papers will be presented at Building Envelope Sustainability: The Future is in the Balance, a symposium to be held in Washington April 30, 2009.

Proposals should be submitted as 250-word abstracts before Nov. 1. For more information, contact CJ Walters, RCI Foundation's developmental officer, at (800) 828-1902 or cjwalters@rcionline.org.

Affiliate news

MRCA announces scholarship winners

The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) Foundation Board of directors has awarded 14 scholarships for the 2007-08 academic year. Scholarships are awarded to individuals who plan to pursue careers in the construction industry by attending an accredited university, college, community college, or trade or vocational school. Scholarship winners will be recognized at MRCA's 58th Annual Convention and Trade Show Oct. 25.

This year's recipients are Dane Bernau, Waterford, Wis., who is attending the University of Wisconsin—Madison; Joshua Dessent, Niles, Ill., who is attending the University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign; Kalee Dickerman, Olathe, Kan., who is attending Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Fla.; Joshua Dvorak, Altura, Minn., who is attending the University of Wisconsin—Stout; Rufus Kerr, Lawrence, Kan., who is attending the University of Kansas, Lawrence; Cathy Mata, San Antonio, who is attending the University of Texas—Austin; Bryan McKinnis, Lincoln, Neb., who is attending the University of Nebraska—Lincoln; Jacob McQuaide, Cincinnati, who is attending Ohio State University, Columbus; Joshua Pauli, Imperial, Mo., who is attending Quincy University, Quincy, Ill.; Terese Reisinger, Shorewood, Wis., who is attending the University of Wisconsin—Madison; Gary Rizzato, Kyle, Texas, who is attending Texas A&M University, College Station; Brian Sheehan, Plainview, Minn., who is attending the University of Wisconsin—Stout; Roderick Sparks II, Batavia, Ohio, who is attending the University of Cincinnati; and Dylan Wray, Hutchinson, Kan., who is attending Kansas State University, Manhattan.