The roofing industry reunited in San Antonio Feb. 19-21 during NRCA’s 138th Annual Convention and Sarasota, Fla.-based Informa’s 2025 IRE. Nearly 16,000 industry professionals attended to learn about the latest industry news and trends. Six hundred companies displayed technology, products and services over 200,000 square feet of exhibitor space, the largest show space to date.
“This year’s IRE was a success,” says NRCA CEO McKay Daniels. “There was an excellent turnout and plenty of excitement for all the trade show and educational conference had to offer. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Las Vegas next year!”
The eighth annual National Women in Roofing Days, a two-day conference for female roofing professionals, was held Feb. 16-17 in advance of IRE. Nearly 500 participants learned about the latest business strategies and shared their tactics and secrets to success.
The convention kicked off Tuesday, Feb. 18, with NRCA’s Executive Committee and board of directors meetings at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk. NRCA’s Affiliate Executives meeting was held at the Henry B. González Convention Center the following day.
Community Service
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, Informa partnered with Rebuilding Together® to host IRE’s 16th annual Community Service Day sponsored by Sika® Sarnafil, Canton, Mass. During the event, volunteers renovated and repaired the homes of San Antonio residents in need.
Sika Sarnafil donated $15,000 for the event. Additional sponsors included Atlas Roofing Corp., Atlanta; Carlisle Construction Materials, Carlisle, Pa.; CentiMark Corp., Canonsburg, Pa.; GAF, Parsippany, N.J.; and Phillips 66, Houston.
At the expo
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the IRE kicked off with a keynote address delivered by Reid Ribble, a former U.S. congressman and former NRCA CEO. Ribble discussed the current state of the Amercan dream and why people continue to seek it.
On the evening of Feb. 19, Informa held a welcome party at the Henry B. González Convention Center. Attendees enjoyed food, drinks and networking with peers.
Roofing professionals visited NRCA’s booth to learn about the benefits of NRCA membership and speak with NRCA experts about various NRCA offerings and events. Information about the 2025 edition of The NRCA Roofing Manual, Professional Roofing magazine, the Roofing Alliance and other resources also was available. Visitors tried their hands at the NRCA skee-ball table, where winners received prizes such as a Blackstone® Omnivore Grill, Yeti Tundra® 45 Cooler, Milwaukee® Heated TOUGHSHELL™ jacket and other items.
NRCA’s training programs offered during the IRE were well-attended. NRCA held a Safety Leadership Workshop Feb. 19 and a Foreman Leadership Training, Level 1, program Feb. 20 for foremen, superintendents and field managers.
NRCA also conducted NRCA PROCertification® performance exam demonstrations on the trade show floor. Industry professionals were able to see what a hands-on skills assessment looks like and speak with NRCA Qualified Assessors about the PROCertification process.
In addition, NRCA University’s Future Executives Institute—Class 11 met twice during the week to study leadership theory and develop management and communication skills.
Benefiting ROOFPAC
ROOFPAC, NRCA’s political action committee, hosted An Evening of Boots, Bids & Buckles, an NRCA/ROOFPAC fundraising event held in conjunction with National Women in Roofing at Smoke Skybar Feb. 18. Attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception and live auction with opportunities to bid on vacations, artwork and more.
In addition, ROOFPAC held its annual silent auction Feb. 19-20. Participants enjoyed an open bar while bidding on jewelry, vacations and electronics. The events raised more than $120,000.
NRCA appreciates the support of the sponsors that helped underwrite these successful ROOFPAC events. The funds raised will be used to support NRCA’s ongoing efforts to advocate for the roofing industry in Washington, D.C.
Student competition
The talent of future industry professionals was on display during the IRE as six finalist teams of college students competed in the Roofing Alliance’s 11th annual Construction Management Student Competition. Student teams from the following schools were tasked with submitting a qualified bid package for a new roof system on the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport Hotel:
- Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
- Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.
- Texas A&M University, College Station
- University of North Florida, Jacksonville
The team from Texas A&M University was selected as the first-place winner after the finalists completed oral presentations. The team received a trophy and a $5,000 L.B. Conway scholarship for its school; team members received individual awards.
The Auburn University team placed second and received a team trophy, a $2,500 Fred Good scholarship for its school and individual awards. The team from Clemson University placed third in the competition and received a team trophy, a $1,000 scholarship for its school as well as individual awards.
In addition, Arjun Varadhan from Auburn University was named Best Individual Student Presenter, and Cheyenne Campbell from University of North Florida received second-place Best Individual Student Presenter.
Several roofing professionals were honored during NRCA’s Industry Awards and Celebration Thursday evening. NRCA’s 2025-26 slate of officers and directors was presented (see NRCA’s 2025-26 leadership), as well as the industry’s most prestigious awards: NRCA’s J.A. Piper Award; NRCA’s John Bradford Volunteer Award; NRCA’s Gold Circle Awards; the CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award; and the Roofing Alliance’s Most Valuable Player Awards.
J.A. Piper Award
Dennis Conway, principal and vice president of Commercial Roofers Inc., Las Vegas, received NRCA’s 78th 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 is presented to an individual who has devoted outstanding service to NRCA and the roofing industry.
With his father working for a heavy-equipment manufacturer, Conway grew up around construction sites and went on to attend Colorado State University, Fort Collins, where he majored in construction management. After graduation, he began a job as project engineer at Hawaiian Dredging and Construction Co., Honolulu. He settled into the roofing industry as president of the largest roofing contractor in the South Pacific, where he remained until 1990 when the company was sold.
After starting his own roofing company and selling it five years later, Conway accepted a position as regional manager for Bryant Universal in Anaheim, Calif. During a company reorganization, he transferred to Las Vegas. In 1996, along with Scott Howard, another regional manager, Conway bought the Las Vegas branch and renamed it Commercial Roofers, where he and Howard were equal partners for more than 20 years.
Conway joined NRCA in 1986 after he became president of Honolulu Roofing. He served three terms on the board of directors and two terms as vice president on the Executive Committee. In 2016, he served as NRCA’s chairman of the board, where he led efforts to help develop NRCA’s Training for Roof Application Careers, which launched in 2019. Also under Conway’s leadership, NRCA PROCertification was developed.
Conway has served on numerous committees and currently serves as ROOFPAC Advisory chair and is a member of the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship and Construction Management committees for the Roofing Alliance. In 2009, he was elected to the Roofing Alliance’s Board of Trustees.
Conway also is an active lecturer at his alma mater. In 2014, he was instrumental in establishing the construction management school at Colorado State University, launched through the Roofing Alliance. That initiative led to the inaugural Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition in 2015.
He has donated to the Roofing Alliance’s planned giving program as well as donated $150,000 to Colorado State University to build out a teleconference room. In honor of his dedication, the Roofing Alliance named its first construction management scholarship the L.B. Conway Scholarship in memory of Conway’s wife of 22 years who passed away in 2013.
In 2024, Conway was honored with the Roofing Alliance’s Bennett Award for his leadership with construction management schools and his invaluable contributions to the future excellence of the Roofing Alliance and industry.
David Karel, executive vice president of Garlock-French Roofing, Minneapolis, received the John Bradford Volunteer Award, which is presented to an individual who has consistently demonstrated outstanding acts of volunteerism.
Karel began his roofing career in 1969 at Garlock-French Roofing, where he worked summers and school breaks while attending the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in business, he began working full-time in sales and managing crews. In 1984, he bought Garlock-French Roofing and has worked there since.
In 1998, Karel was elected to NRCA’s board of directors and served three terms. He also worked on numerous NRCA committees and was a significant contributor to NRCA’s Manual Update Committee and Technical Operations Committee. He served on other technical committees including Asphalt Shingle, Performance Technology and Safety Design.
Click here to view a gallery of convention and IRE photos
Karel also assisted NRCA’s Education Task Force and served three terms on the board of directors for the National Roofing Legal Resource Center.
In between running a roofing company and his volunteer service with NRCA, Karel has volunteered his time with Ronald McDonald House Charities, Habitat for Humanity, Feed My Starving Children and Source Ministries that assists homeless and at-risk youth. He also served multiple years as a board member and then chairman of Trinity Church in Maplewood, Minnesota, and has worked with the youth group at Trinity Church for more than 20 years.
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 throughout his roofing career and enjoyed civic involvements.
Gold Circle Awards
NRCA’s 2025 Gold Circle Awards were presented to NRCA members for their significant contributions to the roofing industry.
The following companies received 2025 Gold Circle Awards:
- Outstanding Workmanship: Steep-slope—The Durable Slate Co., Columbus, Ohio, for Logan County Courthouse, Lincoln, Ill., and Renaissance Roofing, Belvidere, Ill., for Green County Courthouse, Monroe, Wis.
- Outstanding Workmanship: Low-slope—Klein Contracting Corp., Doraville, Ga., for Signia Hilton Hotel, Atlanta
Additionally, two companies were selected as honorable mentions:
- Greenwood Industries, Worcester, Mass., for New York State Capitol Courtyard, Albany, N.Y.
- KPost Company, Dallas, for American Airlines Hospitality Center, Fort Worth, Texas
CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award
NRCA and CNA, Chicago, presented the CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award to Four Seasons Kanga Roof, Roseville, Mich., for its charitable efforts with the Evan Vaillancourt, Army Specialist, Legacy Fund Scholarship. The award honors charitable works performed by NRCA contractor members between Jan. 1, 2024, and Nov. 24, 2024.
Four Seasons Kanga Roof raised money for a scholarship after Evan Vaillancourt, an Army specialist, passed away suddenly while on active duty, leaving his wife and their 1-year-old son behind. Vaillancourt’s older brother, Mason, is a member of the Four Seasons Kanga Roof sales team. Employees raised $250,000 to fund the scholarship, which will be awarded annually. CNA awarded Four Seasons Kanga Roof with $7,500 for the scholarship.
The second-place winner was Bliss Roofing, Clackamas, Ore., for its charitable efforts with Catalyst Partnerships. After learning Catalyst Partnerships received eight submissions from community members in need of new roofs but could fund only five, Bliss Roofing donated a roof to one of the runners-up. CNA awarded Bliss Roofing with $5,000 for its charity.
The third-place winner was Korellis, Hammond, Ind., for its work with The Blind Social Center. Korellis donated labor and materials required to install a 4,700-square-foot roof system on the organization’s facility. CNA awarded Korellis with $2,500 for its charity.
NRCA’s 2025-26 leadership
NRCA announced its 2025-26 slate of officers and directors during its 138th Annual Convention Feb. 19-21 in San Antonio. All 2025-26 officers and directors will assume their roles June 1.
Alex Hernandez, president of Clark Roofing Co., Broadview, Ill., was elected chairman of the board, and Chad Collins, president of The Bone Dry Roofing Co., a Roofing Corp of America company, Atlanta, was elected chairman of the board-elect. Jean-Paul Grivas, vice president of Ray Nolan Roofing, Louisville, Ky.; Christian Madsen, president of Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing Inc., Rancho Cordova, Calif.; and Diana Petersen, director of administration for Red Pointe Roofing LP, Orange, Calif., were elected vice chairmen for two-year terms. Sherri Miles, vice president of J.D. Miles and Sons Inc., Chesapeake, Va., was elected vice chairman for a one-year term.
Additionally, the following were elected as new NRCA directors:
- Tyler Allwood, director of business development for Eagle Roofing Products, Rialto, Calif.
- Rachna Bhatt, director of HRGM Corp., Washington, D.C.
- Tupac de la Cruz, founder of Roofing Solutions LLC, Baton Rouge, La.
- Collin DeBuysere, project manager for Roofing Technology Inc., Davenport, Iowa
- John Fleming, owner of Weathercraft Co. of Colorado Springs Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Tammara Hall, director of marketing and business development for CFS Roofing Services LLC, Fort Myers, Fla.
- Tina Hall, owner and CEO of Joe Hall Roofing & Contracting, Arlington, Texas
- Will Hamlin, president and CEO of The Hamlin Cos., Garner, N.C.
- Paige Harvill, corporate projects manager for Nations Roof Gulf Coast, Mobile, Ala.
- Gary Howes, chief operating officer of The Durable Slate Co., Columbus, Ohio
- Allen Hughes, vice president of Rike Roofing Servies, Fort Mill, S.C.
- Beth Kegley, director of national accounts for Beacon Building Products, Herndon, Va.
- Pierre Lafontaine, vice president of business services for Groupe Raymond, Quebec, Canada
- Paul Manchisi, senior vice president, Flynn Midwest, Flynn BEC, for Flynn Group of Companies, Toronto, Canada
- James Patterson, senior vice president of CentiMark Corp., Canonsburg, Pa.
- Kyle Price, service sales manager for Superior Services RSH Inc., Lansing, Mich.
- Rachel Reed, vice president of Tri-State/Service Roofing & Sheet Metal Group, Vienna, W.Va.
- Josh Steinrock, president of American Roofing & Metal Inc., Louisville, Ky.
MVP Awards
The Roofing Alliance announced the winners of its 25th annual MVP Awards during the ceremony. The awards recognize outstanding roofing workers who achieve work-related and personal goals to which others aspire. Award winners are chosen by a panel of roofing industry representatives.
The winner in the outstanding community involvement category was Cliff Johnson, driver for Beacon Building Products, Rochester, Minn.
The winner in the outstanding performance and leadership category was Alex Garcia, superintendent for Bliss Roofing Inc., Clackamas, Ore.
The Best of the Best Award winner also was announced. Angel Arroyo, superintendent for Raincoat Roofing Systems Inc., Broadview, Ill., won the Best of the Best Award. Arroyo won the award for his extraordinary contributions to the roofing industry. To learn more about Arroyo, see “A guardian angel”.
The Best of the Best Award is sponsored by Professional Roofing and OMG Roofing Products Inc., Agawam, Mass.
Charlie Raymond recognition
In addition, NRCA recognized the following member companies for their 2024 membership recruitment efforts to the association:
- Beacon Building Products, Herndon, Va.
- CertainTeed LLC, Malvern, Pa.
- GAF, Parsippany, N.J.
- Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio
- SRS Distribution Inc., McKinney, Texas
The recognition is in honor of former NRCA President and J.A. Piper Award winner Charlie Raymond, who first became chairman of NRCA’s Membership Committee when the association had 328 members. Raymond recruited the 1,000th member in 1973.
Back to Vegas
Make plans now to attend NRCA’s 139th Annual Convention and the 2026 IRE Jan. 20-22 in Las Vegas for plenty of networking, learning and fun. You won’t want to miss it!
Avery Timmons
Professional Roofing’s editorial assistant
NRCA
