July 2007
With a new board of trustees at the helm, the Alliance is headed in a new direction
and looking at green roofing initiatives and charitable giving. During the April
meetings, Alliance members heard about some exciting new projects for which they
approved funding. And Alliance membership is on a steady increase with five new
firms joining since December 2006.
Finances
Total Alliance assets as of May 31, 2007, totaled $10,031,418 compared with $8,810,714
as of May 31, 2006. Alliance investments with Wachovia as of May 31, 2007, totaled
$10,014,779 compared with $8,716,395 as of May 31, 2006. Total NRF and Alliance
assets totaled $10,452,871 as of May 31, 2007, compared with $9,413,389 as of May
31, 2006. Total commitments to the Alliance endowment fund as of May 31, 2007, are
$10,317,332 with $9,852,339 collected to date.
New Members
We bid a hearty welcome to four new Alliance members who joined in 2007, including
Kurt Gomes, Pacific Coast Supply, LLC, North Highlands, Calif.; Rob McReynolds,
D & D Roofing Inc., Commerce City, Colo.; John Plescia, Star Roofing Inc., Phoenix;
and Kenneth Tetterton, Curtis Construction Co. Inc., Kinston, N.C. We look forward
to their participation and involvement. Alliance membership stands at 119 and includes
88 contractors, 28 manufacturers and suppliers, and three individuals. There are
30 associates who have made one-time contributions.
The 2007-08 Alliance board of trustees is as follows:
Gary Wolfe, president
Wolfe Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Reading, Pa.
Bob Bueche, vice president
Pioneer Roofing Co., Phoenix
Jim Giese, secretary/treasurer
Jim Giese Commercial Roofing Inc., Dubuque, Iowa
Marve Feucht
CNA, Chicago
John Gooding
Gooding, Simpson & Mackes, Ephrata, Pa.
Mike Gorey
Firestone Building Products Co., Indianapolis
Bill Hamlin Jr.
Hamlin Roofing Co. Inc., Garner, N.C.
Ken Hunt
Performance Roof Systems, Kansas City, Mo.
Glenn Jones
Centimark Corp., West Chicago, Ill.
Eric Jurin
Jurin Roofing Services Inc., Quakertown, Pa.
Conrad Kawulok
B & M Roofing of Colorado Inc., Frederick, Colo.
Chip Martin
CRS Inc., College Park, Ga.
Rob McNamara
F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing Co., Milwaukee
Tim Rainey
Supreme Systems Inc., Dallas
Reid Ribble
The Ribble Group Inc., Kaukauna, Wis.
Bill Taylor
D.C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Gulf Area Work
Progress is the only way to describe what's happening with the Gulf Rebuild, Education,
Advancement and Training (GREAT) program. As of May 31, 2007, 5,548 students have
completed training and another 3,570 students currently are enrolled.
John Schehl, NRCA's senior director of education, and Peter Greenbaum, NRCA's director
of education and training media, are developing a video to promote the GREAT program
to prospective students.
On June 29, John Schehl and NRCA member Ed Lundin Jr. of Lundin Roofing, Port Allen,
La., met with representatives of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System
(LCTCS) in Baton Rouge, La. The meeting's purpose was to seek a commitment from
LCTCS to include basic roofing training into their existing basic GREAT program
construction skills training curriculum.
LCTCS staff was provided with samples of NRCA's Roof Application Training Program
modules and presented with the material and in-kind support available to LCTCS if
they choose to include roofing training. Lundin demonstrated a strong commitment
on behalf of many roofing contractors in the area to actively participate in student
recruitment programs and provide jobs to GREAT program graduates.
LCTCS representatives reviewed the training modules and information and enthusiastically
agreed to include roofing in their basic GREAT curriculum. Additionally, they agreed
to pursue running an extended roofing training program at one or two select campuses
subject to review of other NRCA curricula and materials.
NRCA offered to provide an initial quantity of student manuals for each module;
instructor guides; training DVDs; instructor support, including possible attendance
to International Roofing Expo; networking with local contractors and material and
equipment suppliers; and promotion of LCTCS' training efforts through various NRCA
publications and media outlets.
The next step is to set up a similar meeting with the Texas Community College System
in Houston.
The challenge for the GREAT program is ensuring that jobs are available for graduates.
Current Project Status
Ergonomics study
An ergonomics study, conducted by Thomas Glavinich at the University of Kansas,
to identify and document best practices for preventing repetitive-stress injuries
in the roofing industry, is nearing completion. The finished report should be available
for distribution in early fall.
Roof reflectivity study
A roof reflectivity study, conducted by NRCA's Technical Operations Committee and
representatives from the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA), is in progress.
The study involves monitoring a minimum of 30 roof systems in the Chicago metro
area for the purpose of taking solar reflectivity measurements. Initial readings
are scheduled to begin in October. After findings are available, the Alliance will
receive an annual report on each year's data that it will make available to the
industry.
Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards program
The Alliance's Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards program is an annual program that
recognizes field workers who go above and beyond their normal responsibilities.
Feedback on the program continues to be positive; however, the number of entries
submitted drops a bit each year. This year, six entries were received compared with
57 received in 2006.
The MVP task force is looking at ways to make the 2007-08 nomination process easier
and will be considering adding a category for superintendents.
New Projects Funded
Partnership with Penn State University
The Alliance approved $100,000 to partner with Penn State University, which currently
has research under way to measure R-values of different green roof systems; is involved
in a Solar Decathalon project sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office
of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
incorporating solar roof technology; has developed "4-D" project management software;
has completed a study of photovoltaics for the electrical contracting industry;
and has conducted nanotechnology involving photovoltaic integration.
The university has faculty and graduate students who understand roofing issues,
are conducting roofing-related work without outside funding and have displayed a
genuine enthusiasm to find an industry partner, so this should prove to be a positive,
valuable partnership.
Center for High-performance Roofing
The second project approved was $100,000 for research projects identified through
the Center for High-performance Roofing (subject to an Alliance oversight committee)
as they are identified and approved. The Center for High-performance Roofing is
an organization being established as a 501 (c) (6) association, which will include
all segments of the roofing industry including contractors, manufacturers, designers,
building owners, academia and government. It will be an information and research
resource for industry efforts; be the industry's communication vehicle for "green
building" issues; and act as a policy advocate.
The final details for the organization still have to be determined. But the idea
is for it to have an executive committee, board of directors, different membership
categories and "councils" for all involved segments. The Alliance will have a permanent
seat on the Executive Committee.
SpecRight online learning program
The third expenditure was $50,000 for a SpecRight online learning program.
"Helping Our Own" charitable giving program
Finally, the Alliance authorized up to $100,000 for a "Helping Our Own" charitable
giving program with the understanding that the Alliance's Balanced Program Committee
will develop, implement and provide a progress report for the Alliance at its October
2007 meeting. (In April 2006, the Alliance approved moving forward with a charitable
giving program that would be in addition to its current mission of supporting research
and education affecting the roofing industry.) The idea of the giving program is
to provide financial assistance to people within the industry who experience life-altering
circumstances. Alliance members will receive a brochure with details about the program
and a nomination form in August. (Details also will be available online at
www.roofingindustryalliance.net.) Nominations are due Sept.
17.
Alliance Scholarships
The Alliance continues to provide annual scholarships to assist employees, immediate
family of employees or immediate family of NRCA contractor members who plan to pursue
post-secondary education in college and vocational programs.
The new recipients selected for the 2007-08 school year are Elizabeth Ahn, Silver
Spring, Md., daughter of Peter Ahn, vice president of Autumn Contracting Inc., Hyattsville,
Md.; Ashley Jones, Lavaca, Ark., daughter of Mike Jones, branch manager for Harness
Roofing, Fort Smith, Ark.; and Aaron Tabor, Lyons, Ill., son of Ray Tabor, production
manager for Beldon Roofing/Leaf Guard, Brookfield, Ill.
In addition to the new recipients, the Alliance Board of Trustees renewed nine scholarships
for the following students: Christina Erbsen, Salida, Colo., who is attending Corban
College, Salem, Ore.; Brian Head, Montgomery, Ala., who is attending Auburn University,
Auburn, Ala.; Jessica Hibbard, Arlington, Texas, who is attending Texas Christian
University, Fort Worth, Texas; Michael Marzano, Wayne, Ill., who is attending Northwestern
University, Evanston, Ill.; Caitlin Narkawicz, Columbia, Conn., who is attending
Johnson & Wales University, Providence, R.I.; Justine Semack, McDonald, Pa., who
is attending West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.V.; Sarah Stabile, Wolcott,
Conn., who is attending Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Conn.;
Mary Wolfe, Wyomissing, Pa., who is attending Emory University, Atlanta; and Matthew
Woodruff, Fond du Lac, Wis., who is attending Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee.
Typically, an average of 10 scholarships are awarded each year (three new and seven
renewals) on the basis of academic record, potential to succeed, leadership, participation
in school and community activities, honors, work experience, a statement of educational
and career goals, and an outside appraisal. Financial need is not considered. As
of the 2007-08 school year, 90 students have received scholarship funds.
The main revenue source for the scholarship fund is the Alliance sweepstakes, which
is held every other year. During the 2007 sweepstakes, 398 tickets were sold compared
with 320 in 2005. However, the ticket price was $100 compared with $200, so net
proceeds to the scholarship fund ($14,000) was down this year compared with previous
years.
A task force has been appointed to review the existing scholarship program and report
back to the Alliance this fall with recommendations.
Future Meetings
The next Alliance meeting is scheduled for
Oct. 19 at the Washington Court
Hotel in Washington, D.C. The meeting is being held in conjunction with NRCA's Fall
Committee Meetings and Legislative Conference.
Mark your calendars with the following future Alliance meeting dates.
April 17-19, 2008
The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress meetings
The Ritz-Carlton
Sarasota, Fla.
Oct. 21-24, 2008
NRCA's Fall Committee Meetings and Legislative Conference
The Washington Court Hotel
Washington, D.C.
April 23-25, 2009
The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress meetings
Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas
Irving, Texas
Fall 2009
NRCA's Fall Committee Meetings and Legislative Conference
Hotel to be determined.
Washington, D.C.
April 15-17, 2010
The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress meetings
Four Seasons Resort Aviara North San Diego
Carlsbad, Calif.
Fall 2010
NRCA's Fall Committee Meetings and Legislative Conference
Hotel to be determined.
Washington, D.C.
For questions or more information about the Alliance, contact:
Bennett Judson
Executive Director
The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress
10255 W. Higgins, Suite 600
Rosemont, Ill. 60018-5607
Phone: (800) 323-9545, Ext. 7513
Fax: (847) 493-7959
E-mail:
bjudson@roofingindustryalliance.net
www.roofingindustryalliance.net