In the midst of challenging times, NRCA and New York-based Informa Markets brought roofing professionals together to reconnect, learn and have some fun during NRCA’s annual convention and the 2022 IRE in New Orleans Jan. 30-Feb. 3. More than 10,000 professionals descended upon the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center to attend classes, network with peers, and hear the latest industry news and trends. The trade show floor boasted nearly 400 companies displaying their products and services in 142,483 square feet of exhibit space.
“This year’s IRE was another outstanding event,” says Reid Ribble, NRCA’s CEO. “Attendees were treated to great educational content and a massive roofing exhibit. Feedback once again was excellent, and I look forward to seeing everyone in Dallas next year.”
The convention kicked off Sunday, Jan. 30, with NRCA’s Executive Committee and board of directors meetings at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. NRCA’s Affiliate Executives Council meeting was held at the hotel the following day.
The fifth annual National Women in Roofing Day, a full-day conference for multidisciplinary female professionals, was held Jan. 30. During the event, more than 280 participants networked with peers, learned about the latest business strategies and tactics, and shared their secrets to success.
COMMUNITY HELPERS
On Monday, Jan. 31, Informa partnered with Rebuilding Together® New Orleans to host the IRE’s 13th annual Community Service Day sponsored by Canton, Mass.-based Sika® Sarnafil. During the event, 56 volunteers helped renovate three homes of low-income residents affected by Hurricane Ida in August 2021. The volunteers painted and weatherized the houses, installed fencing and built safety railings.
“The IRE Community Service Day literally changes people’s lives, and it’s truly amazing to see each year,” says Brandi McElhaney, senior conference manager for Informa Markets. “For 13 years, roofing industry professionals have taken time out of their trips to the IRE to give back to others. And each year it gets even better. We are thankful for our volunteers and sponsors and their dedication to this cause.”
Primary sponsor Sika Sarnafil donated $15,000; the IRE donated $10,000; and IRE attendees also donated to the event. In addition, GAF, Parsippany, N.J., will support Rebuilding Together New Orleans’ efforts to replace 50 roof systems in the New Orleans area by July 1.
Additional Community Service Day sponsors included Carlisle Construction Materials, Carlisle, Pa.; CentiMark Corp., Canonsburg, Pa.; Damato Enterprises, Hoschton, Ga.; and ICP Building Solutions Group, Andover, Mass.
IRE EVENTS
On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the IRE kicked off with a keynote address delivered by Ribble and sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products, Portland, Ore. Ribble spoke passionately about the roofing industry and shared insights and life lessons he learned from his father, roofing business, time spent in Congress and leading NRCA.
During the evening, a welcome party sponsored by ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., was held at Mardi Gras World and offered visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into creating Mardi Gras floats and costumes. Attendees enjoyed food, drinks and socializing during the colorful, lively party.
More than 700 roofing professionals visited NRCA’s booth to learn about the benefits of NRCA membership and speak with NRCA experts about NRCA ProCertification,® Training for Roof Application Careers, workforce recruitment resources, supply chain information, Roofing Day in D.C. 2022, LEGALCon 2022, the NRCA Health Care Program, and a variety of technical topics and risk management issues. Information about the 2022 edition of The NRCA Roofing Manual, Professional Roofing magazine and other resources also was available. Visitors tried their luck at the NRCA “Spin to Win” wheel, where lucky winners received prizes such as a Big Green Egg® grill, Bosch job-site radio, Chicago pizza package, free NRCA ProCertification registration and free NRCA membership for one year. Ten companies joined NRCA during the IRE.
NRCA’s educational programs offered during the IRE were attended by enthusiastic industry professionals. Thirty people attended an NRCA Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z class Jan. 31; and 15 field managers, foremen and superintendents attended NRCA’s Foreman Leadership Training, Level 1, program Feb. 3.
NRCA once again offered NRCA ProCertification online knowledge exams and hands-on performance exams during the IRE. From Feb. 1-3, 15 thermoplastic roof system installer candidates completed the hands-on performance exam.
NRCA University’s Future Executives Institute—Class 9 and FEI—Class 10 met separately twice during the week to study leadership theory and develop management and communication skills. FEI-9 students completed their three-year program and graduated during the 2022 NRCA Industry Awards and Celebration Feb. 2.
NRCA’s 2022-23 board of directors
NRCA elected its 2022-23 slate of officers and directors during the 2022 NRCA Industry Awards and Celebration Feb. 2 in New Orleans. The officers and directors will begin their terms June 1.
Kyle Thomas, executive vice president of Thomas Industries Inc., Mobile, Ala., was named NRCA chairman of the board, and Lisa Sprick, president of Sprick Roofing Co. Inc., Corvallis, Ore., was named chairman of the board-elect. John Embow, president of Grove Roofing Services, Buffalo, N.Y.; Don Fry, president of Fry Roofing Inc., San Antonio; Rudy Gutierrez, president of Shell Roofing Solutions, Chino, Calif.; and Geoff Mitchell, CEO of Mid-South Roof Systems, Forest Park, Ga., were named vice chairmen. Additionally, the following were named new NRCA directors:
ROOFPAC EVENTS
ROOFPAC, NRCA’s political action committee, hosted 180 industry professionals during “Salute to The Big Easy,” a fundraising event held in conjunction with National Women in Roofing at The American Sector Restaurant and Bar at the National WWII Museum Jan. 31. Attendees enjoyed refreshments, a cocktail reception, and a live auction offering exciting items, including vacations, artwork and seafood delivery service. The event raised $40,000 to benefit ROOFPAC.
In addition, ROOFPAC held its annual silent auction in NRCA’s booth Feb. 1-2. Participants had the opportunity to bid against their peers for jewelry, vacations, electronics, advertising and consulting services, and other items. The silent auction raised $28,000 for ROOFPAC.
NRCA appreciates the tremendous support of the sponsors who helped underwrite these successful ROOFPAC events. The funds raised will be used to support NRCA’s ongoing efforts in Washington, D.C., to benefit the roofing industry.
ROOFING ALLIANCE STUDENT COMPETITION
The creativity and talent of future industry professionals were on display during the IRE as five finalist teams of college students competed in the eighth annual Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition.
Student teams were each tasked with submitting a qualified bid package for a new roof system on the Four Points Sheraton Hotel on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The teams were:
Each team was required to research the project, review plans and specifications, and assemble a full proposal and price estimate. The teams delivered oral presentations before a panel of judges Feb. 2.
HONORING THE BEST
On Feb. 2, NRCA honored top roofing industry professionals during the 2022 NRCA Industry Awards and Celebration. The ceremony began with the presentation of the slate of officers for NRCA’s 2022-23 board of directors, who were officially installed following a vote (see sidebar). In addition, students from NRCA University’s Future Executives Institute—Class 9 formally graduated.
The winners of the Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition also were announced during the ceremony. The student team from Texas A&M University won the competition. Members of the winning team were Blake Bocchino, Kyle Cahill, Kyler Hardison (team captain), Canyon Martine and Alexia Palomares (team alternate). The team received a trophy and a $5,000 L.B. Conway scholarship for its school, and team members received individual awards.
The student team from Clemson University placed second. Team members were Jackson Davis, Declan Fay (team alternate), James Goodwin (team captain), Walker Moseley and Allie Stark. Clemson University team members received a team trophy, a $2,500 Fred Good scholarship for their school and individual awards.
Allie Stark received the first-place award for Best Individual Student Presenter and received a $300 gift card, and Blake Bocchino received the second-place award and a $200 gift card.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the industry’s most prestigious awards: the J.A. Piper Award; John Bradford Volunteer Award; CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award; the Roofing Alliance’s Gold Circle Awards and Most Valuable Player Awards; and NRCA’s Charlie Raymond Award.
J.A. Piper Award
T. Allen Lancaster Jr., vice president of Metalcrafts, a Tecta America Company LLC, Savannah, Ga., received NRCA’s 75th annual J.A. Piper Award. Named for former NRCA President Joseph A. Piper, whose extraordinary efforts kept NRCA alive during the Great Depression, the J.A. Piper Award is the industry’s most prestigious honor. The award annually is presented to a roofing professional who has demonstrated constant, outstanding service to NRCA and the roofing industry.
Involved in the roofing industry for decades, Lancaster was elected to NRCA’s board of directors in 1995 and served several terms, including as an NRCA director from 1995-98, 1999-2002, 2003-05 and 2007-09. He served as NRCA vice president from 2005-07, NRCA senior vice president from 2009-10 and NRCA president from 2010-11. Lancaster also has been involved with several NRCA committees, including the Architectural Sheet Metal and Metal Roofing Committee, Manual Update Committee, Technical Education Committee and Technical Operations Committee.
“He has worked tirelessly for his business, his family and the roofing industry—serving in a myriad of roles at NRCA and regional associations,” said Nelson Braddy, a former J.A. Piper Award recipient and founder of King of Texas Roofing Co. LP, Grand Prairie, when presenting the award. “He epitomizes what great people are—reliable, intelligent, trustworthy, and always ready and willing to help. And the roofing industry has been lucky enough to benefit from his leadership and volunteerism.”
John Bradford Volunteer Award
Dane Bradford, John Bradford’s son, presented the first John Bradford Volunteer Award to Jude Laperouse, former president of Edward J. Laperouse Metal Works Inc., Houma, La. Established by the NRCA Awards Committee, the award recognizes an individual who has consistently demonstrated outstanding acts of volunteerism.
Laperouse started volunteering his time with NRCA more than 30 years ago. In 1988, he was elected to NRCA’s board of directors and served three terms. In 1991, he was elected to NRCA’s Executive Committee and served as a vice president until 1993. He also served on numerous NRCA committees, including the Affiliate Relations Committee, Building Codes Education Operating Committee and Manual Update Committee.
Laperouse’s volunteerism extended beyond NRCA. He served as president of the Rotary Club of Houma from 1982-83 and was named Outstanding Rotarian of the Year in 1986, as well as The Courier’s Most Useful Citizen in 1987. He spent his career managing Edward J. Laperouse Metal Works, a roofing company started by his father, and retired in 2016.
The John Bradford Volunteer Award is named after John Bradford, who served as NRCA’s president from 1982-83 and was a past president of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association. He was instrumental in the development of the Montana Roofing Contractors Association, served on many boards during his roofing career and enjoyed civic involvements.
CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award
NRCA and CNA presented the tenth annual CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award to Great Lakes Roofing Corp., Germantown, Wis. The award honors charitable works performed by NRCA contractor members between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 1, 2021. Great Lakes Roofing was honored for its charitable efforts with Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, which operates a village of 15 tiny homes that house military veterans who are at risk of homelessness or recovering out of homelessness. When the organization needed a new roof on its community center, Great Lakes Roofing stepped up through its Helping Hands program. The company reroofed the building and did a company- and community-wide supplies drive to support Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin’s free grocery store for veterans and their families. CNA awarded Great Lakes Roofing with $7,500 for its charity.
Sutter Roofing & Metal Co. Inc., Clarksburg, W.Va., was chosen as the second-place winner for its charitable efforts with the Progressive Women’s Association of Harrison County, a nonprofit organization that facilitates the daily activities and upkeep of the Uptown Event Center in Clarksburg. It sponsors a food pantry and pet pantry and hosts women of distinction. The roof system on the center had exceeded its life expectancy, and the association was unable to afford the nearly $60,000 price tag for a new one. Sutter Roofing & Metal, with assistance from Versico Roofing Systems, Carlisle, Pa., donated materials, labor and equipment to replace the 5,000-square-foot roof system. CNA awarded Sutter Roofing & Metal with $5,000 for its charity.
Empire Roofing, Fort Worth, Texas, was chosen as the third-place winner for its work with Iglesia San Miguel, a church that supports the underprivileged Latino community in Fort Worth. It holds a summer Vacation Bible School that provides a safe place for children while parents work during the summer and teaches them to lean on Christ when they are having a difficult time. Empire Roofing provided lunch and snacks for more than 150 children. The company continues its support during the year through financial contributions and at the end of the year when low-income families are selected to receive a meal and presents from the Empire Roofing team. CNA awarded Empire Roofing with $2,500 for its charity.
In addition, the winner of the People’s Choice category was decided via online voting. CentiMark Corp., Canonsburg, Pa., won the People’s Choice Award for its work with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. On Sept. 14, 2021, CentiMark held its 18th Annual CentiMark Southpointe Golfs for Children’s to benefit Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. This year was focused on nutrition and food security for families visiting in emergency rooms, clinics in low-income neighborhoods, and a mobile medical clinic that visits neighborhoods and schools. During 18 years, the company has raised more than $1 million. CNA awarded CentiMark with $1,500 for its charity.
Gold Circle Awards
The Roofing Alliance presented its Gold Circle Awards during the ceremony. Gold Circle Awards annually are presented to Roofing Alliance and NRCA members for their significant contributions to the roofing industry.
The Roofing Alliance’s 2022 Gold Circle Awards finalists were:
The Gold Circle Awards winner for Outstanding Workmanship was L.E. Schwartz & Son for Agnes Scott College Main Hall (see “Schooled in roofing”).
KPost Company received an honorable mention for Outstanding Workmanship for Globe Life Field.
More than 100 companies have been recognized for their achievements since the award’s inception.
MVP Awards
The Roofing Alliance also announced the winners of its 22nd annual MVP Awards during the ceremony. The awards recognize exceptional roofing workers for outstanding on-the-job performance and workmanship and other noteworthy contributions outside the workplace.
The Roofing Alliance’s MVP Awards winners were:
Dudek also was named the Best of the Best, a special honor co-sponsored by Professional Roofing and OMG® Roofing Products, Agawam, Mass.
Charlie Raymond Award
NRCA presented the Charlie Raymond Award, its prestigious membership recruitment award, to GAF, Parsippany, N.J. Named for former NRCA President and J.A. Piper Award recipient Charlie Raymond, the Charlie Raymond Award honors members for their efforts to recruit new members into NRCA.
SEE YOU SOON!
Following this year’s successful show, roofing professionals can look to NRCA to continue advancing the industry throughout the year during events such as Roofing Day in D.C. 2022; National Roofing Week; NRCA’s Midyear Meetings; and exciting educational programs, including TRAC, Qualified Trainer Conferences and new Fall Protection Competent Person training.
And don’t forget to make your plans now to attend NRCA’s 136th Annual Convention and the 2023 IRE March 7-9 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. You’ll spend the week fully engaged with the roofing industry at its best and leave with new ideas, great memories and a wealth of industry knowledge. You won’t want to miss it!
SARA VAUGHN is Professional Roofing’s assistant editor and NRCA’s manager of communications.
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