News + Views

Labor Secretary Acosta meets with NRCA

Ribble with Acosta

During Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta's initial weeks in office, he met and spoke with dozens of industry and union leaders, including leadership of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, National Retail Federation and NRCA.

Acosta met with business representatives more often than he met with other stakeholder groups. His calls and meetings included conversations with 40 industry associations or companies and 27 union officials, among other meetings with lawmakers and White House staffers.

On June 28, Acosta met with NRCA CEO Reid Ribble and government relations staff to discuss key NRCA member concerns regarding regulatory and workforce policy under the department's jurisdiction. Ribble noted the rigid and punitive enforcement policies of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in recent years have been counterproductive to improving workplace safety within the roofing industry and expressed NRCA's desire to work with the department's new leadership to review existing regulations and improve OSHA policy moving forward.

Ribble also discussed NRCA's interest in working with the administration to improve workforce development policy, noting the lack of qualified candidates for job openings within the roofing industry is reaching crisis proportions. Acosta was receptive to NRCA's concerns and indicated an eagerness to work with the association to address the issues in a cooperative manner.

Acosta also has met or had conversations with the largest industry lobbies in Washington, D.C., all of which have been eager to put their priorities in front of the new labor secretary.

Longtime Colorado Roofing Association member passes away

Scolari

William "Bill" J. Scolari, former territory manager for TAMKO Building Products, Joplin, Mo., passed away May 21. He was 72.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Scolari spent his professional life in the building products industry in Colorado and Oregon until his retirement in 2013. He was an active member of the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) and often attended CRA's membership luncheons, golf tournaments and awards events. Scolari enjoyed golfing, skiing, yoga and traveling with his wife, Carol. He is survived by Carol; his son, Christopher; brother, Richard; sister, Martha; and many nieces and nephews.

Donations in Scolari's memory may be made to Halcyon Hospice at 209 Main St., Suite B, Mead, CO 80542.

Former roofing industry leader passes away

Largent

Donald Douglas Largent, owner of Don Largent Roofing Inc., Harrisonburg, Va., passed away July 8. He was 87.

After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Largent returned to Cumberland, Md., to work with his father at G.A. Largent Roofing. In the late 1960s, Largent purchased the business from his father and renamed it Don Largent Roofing. In 1972-73, he served as president of the Virginia Association of Roofing Professionals.

Largent is survived by his son, Douglas; daughter, Kathy; four grandchildren, Aaron, Chad, Erica and Michelle; two sisters, Joy and Nancy; three sisters-in-law, Anna, Joan and Linda; and many nieces and nephews. Donations in Largent's name may be made to Otterbein United Methodist Church, 176 W. Market St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.