NRCA named Nelson Braddy, founder of King of Texas Roofing Co. LP, Grand Prairie, recipient of its 74th annual J.A. Piper Award March 5 during NRCA’s Industry Awards Virtual Ceremony. The J.A. Piper Award is the roofing industry’s most prestigious honor and recognizes roofing professionals who have devoted constant outstanding service to the association and roofing industry.
Braddy was elected to NRCA’s board of directors in 2007 and served several terms, including as an NRCA director from 2007-08 and 2010-11 and vice president from 2008-12. He also served as NRCA senior vice president from 2012-13 and NRCA president from 2013-14. A two-time recipient of NRCA’s Charlie Raymond Award, Braddy demonstrated remarkable commitment to recruiting new members to the association. He has been involved with several NRCA committees, including the Management Education Work Force Committee, Manual Update Committee, PAC Advisory Committee and Retirement Program Committee. Braddy also served on the Roofing Alliance Board of Trustees from 2002-05 and 2014-18 and remains an active volunteer with the organization.
After making a switch from mechanical engineering to construction, Braddy has been in the roofing industry for more than three decades. Starting his roofing career at his father-in-law’s Pennsylvania roofing company, R.W. King, Braddy helped expand the company’s roofing work to projects in Texas during the 1980s. In 1987, R.W. King was liquidated, and Braddy started his own roofing business—King of Texas Roofing—in the Lone Star State. Under his leadership, the company has grown to become one of the largest roofing contractors in the U.S. and specializes in single-ply roof systems. Braddy is passionate about performing community service and promoting continuing education to his employees. He was one of the first industry leaders to commit his company to professional excellence by registering employees for the NRCA ProCertification® program.
“During his more than three decades in the industry, he has been a passionate advocate for NRCA, the industry and its workforce,” said Mark Gaulin, founder of MAGCO Inc., Jessup, Md., and founding member of Tecta America Corp., Rosemont, Ill., when presenting the award. “Throughout his roofing career, he has provided educational insight and productive changes in the industry and his community. He is an honest worker, trustworthy colleague, tireless volunteer, acute businessman and innovative leader.”
“Getting involved with the industry seemed to me a natural thing to do, and it was a lot of fun,” Braddy said when accepting the award. “This award is something you think about, but you never know if you’ll get it. Thank you. This is a great honor.”
First presented in 1948, the J.A. Piper Award is named for former NRCA President Joseph A. Piper, whose extraordinary efforts kept the association alive during the Great Depression.
