Briefings

Contractor news

Former NRCA director passes away

Robinson

John Cleveland “J.C.” Robinson III, president of Frye Roofing Inc., Bluefield, W.Va., and a former NRCA director, passed away Sept. 16 after a short battle with COVID-19. He was 67.

Robinson studied business at the University of Alabama and spent his career in the construction industry. He was president of Frye Roofing for nearly 20 years. Robinson served as an NRCA director from 2007-10 and 2011-14. He served as chairman of NRCA’s Safety Manual Committee from 2011-12 and served on NRCA’s Affiliate Relations, Contractor Management, Health and Safety, and University Operations committees, among others. Robinson served as president of the Virginia Association of Roofing Professionals from 2006-07. In addition, Robinson actively supported legislation to improve safety and fair competition in the roofing industry, and he created a training and educational program to help provide skills necessary for industry success.

Robinson is survived by his wife, Teresa; two children, Jeremiah and wife Melanie, and Keli Ann and husband Henry; two grandsons, John Cleveland and Shea; mother-in-law, Peggy; aunt, Pauline; and many cousins.

His family says: “Everyone who knew J.C. knew he had a passion for entrepreneurship. Having achieved his personal goal of running a successful small business, he was committed to helping others achieve that goal. He believed small businesses don’t just provide a livelihood for the owner and employees, but they also help build a community economically and socially. J.C. saw small business development as a critical piece of the ongoing development of the economy in Bluefield. He worked tirelessly to create the support small business owners need to build a thriving business. He was excited about recent developments within the community.

“The Robinson family would like to realize J.C.’s dream by expanding on the rebuilding efforts for a vibrant small business community in Bluefield. With the support of the City of Bluefield and the Bluefield West Virginia Economic Development Authority, they have established the J.C. Robinson Entrepreneurial Fund. It is their hope the Fund will grow to provide the financial and educational support entrepreneurs need to achieve their dreams.”

Donations in Robinson’s name can be marked for the fund and sent to Bluefield West Virginia Economic Development Authority, 200 Rogers St., Bluefield, WV 24701.

Distributor news

SRS Distribution signs bands for IRE concert

SRS Distribution Inc., McKinney, Texas, has signed singer/songwriter Darius Rucker and country band Little Big Town to perform at the company’s International Roofing Expo^® Concert Party April 15, 2021, at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues in Las Vegas.

Money raised from the event will be split between SRS Distribution’s Raise the Roof Foundation, National Women in Roofing and the Roofing Alliance. Some of the funds will be used to establish a new named diversity scholarship on behalf of the Roofing Alliance.

Additional information is available at ire.srsdistribution.com.

ABC Supply celebrates 300th veteran home build

ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., celebrated the delivery of Homes For Our Troops’ 300th specially adapted home in September. ABC Supply has a multimillion-dollar commitment to Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that builds and donates custom homes nationwide to enable severely injured post-9/11 veterans to rebuild their lives.

ABC Supply donated materials used to build the organization’s 300th home. U.S. Army Sgt. Nathan Shumaker is the recipient of the home in Hillsboro, Mo. Sgt. Shumaker was severely injured while serving in Afghanistan and was awarded a Purple Heart.

On Sept. 11, the Hillsboro community helped landscape the home by planting flowers and laying sod. On Sept. 12, ABC Supply escorted Sgt. Shumaker to the home, and Homes For Our Troops presented the keys to Sgt. Shumaker and his family. The event included speeches, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and raising a flag using an ABC Supply truck.

“ABC Supply is proud to support the work Homes For Our Troops does to make a difference in the lives of veterans who have given so much for our country,” says Mike Jost, ABC Supply’s chief operating officer. “It’s even more special that we were able to escort Sgt. Shumaker to his home for the key ceremony and personally thank him for his service.”

Manufacturer news

GAF named Citizens Award finalist

GAF, Parsippany, N.J., has been named a finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Citizens Award in the Best Community Resilience and Disaster Response Program category. The 24 finalist companies have been recognized for demonstrating extraordinary leadership in solving the world’s biggest challenges and helping communities grow stronger amid a global pandemic, economic downturn and movement for racial equity.

The foundation says: “GAF supports community resiliency through its Community Matters initiative and has donated $3.3 million in roofing products to vulnerable families in need, including those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Florence and Michael.”

Winners will be announced at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s virtual awards program, which will be held Nov. 17-19 during the 2020 Corporate Citizenship Conference: Business Solves.

Other news

Roofing Alliance offers student scholarships

The Roofing Alliance is accepting applications for 2021-22 Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program academic scholarships. There are two scholarship opportunities available.

The Accredited Post-Secondary Institution Scholarship is for full-time employees of an NRCA contractor or supplier member, their spouses and dependent children who are pursuing postsecondary education. Scholarship recipients are awarded $5,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study. Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates who plan to enroll or students who already are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course of study directly related to a career in the roofing industry or building construction at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for an entire academic year.

The Accredited Career Technical Education Scholarship is for full-time employees of an NRCA contractor or supplier member, their spouses and dependent children who are pursuing an education at a vocational or technical trade school; the scholarship is not designed for careers that require a four-year degree. Scholarship recipients are awarded $1,000 per year; awards are not renewable, but students may reapply each year provided they meet the requirements. Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates who plan to enroll or students who already are enrolled in a full-time course of study directly related to a career in the roofing industry at an accredited vocational or technical trade school for an entire academic year.

The application deadline is 3 p.m. CST Jan. 28, 2021. Applications are available at learnmore.scholarsapply.org/melvinkruger.

In addition, the Roofing Alliance has issued its annual call for funding requests. The Roofing Alliance seeks projects that enhance the performance of the U.S. roofing industry.

Roofing Alliance Executive Director Bennett Judson says $272,253 in project funding was approved in 2020.

“Although much of our funding is earmarked for our ongoing initiatives, the Roofing Alliance is always looking to support new programs that can fulfill a need within our industry and contribute toward the betterment of the U.S. roofing industry,” Judson says.

One successful funding request in 2020 came from Clemson University, which used the funds to develop a three-credit roofing class for use in construction management programs throughout the U.S. Ongoing initiatives include a partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities,® the Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition and construction management partnerships with universities.

Funding requests are due Jan. 1, 2021. Information about specific criteria and the funding review process are available at roofingalliance.net/education-research/projects/funding.

ARMA calls for award entries

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association is accepting submissions for the 2021 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program. Roofing contractors are encouraged to submit their best steep- and low-slope asphalt roofing projects from the past three years for consideration by Dec. 1.

Projects will be judged in four categories: reasons for selecting asphalt, performance, beauty and distinction. There is no limit to the number of entries a company may submit as long as each project meets the program criteria.

Winning companies will be recognized during the 2021 International Roofing Expo^® April 14-16 in Las Vegas. Winners will receive a monetary prize, as well as recognition in national trade media, local media, and on ARMA’s website and social media.

Submission forms are available at asphaltroofing.org/excellence.

In addition, ARMA has named Miriam Higginbotham health, safety and environment director. Higginbotham will serve as ARMA’s primary resource for identifying, monitoring and implementing action on health, safety and environmental regulatory and legislative issues of importance to the asphalt roofing industry.

NRCA new members

405 Media Group, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Acre Institute, Orlando, Fla.
Action Roofing LLC, Henderson, Nev.
Amtech Solutions, Dallas
Architectural System Fabricators, Southington, Conn.
Bishop Construction Services Inc., Yucaipa, Calif.
Cedar Preservation Systems, Wixom, Mich.
Celoseal Roofing Inc., Orange, Calif.
Colorado Roofing Solutions, Aurora
Dryvest Inc., Ponderay, Idaho
EV Air Tight Services, Hyattsville, Md.
HD Contracting LLC, Tyler, Texas
Hi-Rise Commercial Roofing Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
ITW Polymers Sealants, Irving, Texas
JR Swigart Co. Inc., Pasco, Wash.
Katemu, Santiago, Chile
Key Roofing and Exteriors LLC, Centennial, Colo.
Lion Home Service, Fort Collins, Colo.
Meade Construction Inc., Lexington, Ohio
Mid State Roofing Inc., Lexington, S.C.
Nations Roof, Quakertown, Pa.
Nelson Roofing, Cartersville, Ga.
One Ply Roofing Co., San Antonio
Paratus Roofing, Sugar Land, Texas
Ramp Construction Co. Inc., Eighty Four, Pa.
Richard L. Carter Jr., Thomasville, N.C.
Roesler’s Roofing & Remodeling LLC, San Antonio
RoofDraft LLC, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Roofing Incorporated, Melbourne, Fla.
Roofing Pros USA LLC, Casselberry, Fla.
Sky-Blue Consulting Inc., Oak Park, Ill.
TORI Construction LLC, Alsip, Ill.
TQM Roofing Inc., Statesville, N.C.
Valor Forensic Engineering Services LLC, Bixby, Okla.
Veterans Roofing, Suwanee, Ga.
Victory Restoration LLC, Kannapolis, N.C.
Weatherguard Coatings Inc., North Miami, Fla.