Activities include a solar technology lunch and learn and a technology panel designed to help contractors on their technology journey.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced activities scheduled for the 2025 International Roofing Expo (IRE).

Members will participate in a lunch and learn session on Tuesday, February 18 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio Riverwalk where they will learn about a new solar technology from Australia that has recently entered the U.S. market.

RT3 members will also take part in an educational panel on Friday, February 21 at 8:30 a.m. The session is titled Navigating the Technology Landscape. In this panel, RT3 members share resources, tips and advice for navigating the ever-changing and growing field of technology in roofing.

“Technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that it can be hard to understand the changes and what that can mean for your business,” stated Karen Edwards, RT3 director. “Our members met throughout this past year to develop resources to help contractors navigate the tech landscape. This panel shares those concepts and guides contractors on their technology journey.”

The panel will take contractors through the business maturity guide to help them figure out what their pain points are and how technology may be able to help them get to the next level. Next, the technology landscape resource will lead contractors through the types of solutions available, educate on how other contractors are using these solutions and provide direction on what questions to ask the vendor as well as what they should be considering for scaling their business.

In addition, the team will share do’s and don’ts for using AI in roofing businesses and how to ensure they are using it responsibly and ethically. The panel is moderated by Heidi J. Ellsworth and participants include RT3 members John Kiesel, Division 7 Roofing, Wendy Marvin, Matrix Roof & Home Solutions, Kyrah Coker, National Roofing Partners and John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry. RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses. With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Our 2022 influencers gave us a lot of insight into roofing industry trends and helpful business advice. 

Each year, we here at RoofersCoffeeShop® (RCS) name a number of roofing professionals to be our RCS Influencers. These influencers come from all sectors of this industry, from contracting to manufacturing to associations and everywhere in between!  

Every month, our Influencers will respond to a question about an important industry topic either by written response or in an interview. These Influencers always offer informative and impressive insight into the world of roofing, and we always look forward to what they have to say!  

This past year we got a wealth of responses from our influencers on topics ranging from new technology, cause marketing, material shortages and more! Without further ado, here are the top 20 insights from our 2022 RCS Influencers: 

Honorable mention (#20-#11): 

20 - Hire Employees Who Fit Your Company’s Culture 

19 - 5 Tried and True Ways to Build a Team Aligned With Company Values 

18 - How to Prevent Problems With Clients Before They Arise 

17 - Overcoming Mistakes by Being Self Aware 

16 - Strategic Business Plans Going Into 2022 

15 - A Marketing Perspective on Material Shortages 

14 - Sometimes You Have to Say No 

13 - It’s Never Too Early to Start Your Business 

12 - Focus on Customer Experience in 2022 

11 - Make Sure Your Company is Covered 

Top 10 influencer insights: 

10 - Adapting to the Material Shortage Crisis 

9 - Being Upfront and Honest With Customers 

8 - Seeing the Problem of Toxic Employees From All Angles 

7 - Manage Workplace Chaos by Dealing With Toxic Employees Directly 

6 - Make 2022 the Year You Get Rid of Bad Debt 

5 - Successful Mergers and Acquisitions Require Careful Planning 

4 - Customer and Company Relationships Should be Mutual 

3 - Making Sure New Hires Align With Your Core Values 

2 - Material Shortages Will Pass: Build a Workable Plan and Stay Patient 

1 - Supply Issues Won’t Be Over Anytime Soon 

NRCA announced its new slate of officers during its 136th Annual Convention March 6-9 in Dallas. 

Lisa Sprick, president of Sprick Roofing Co. Inc., Corvallis, Oregon, was elected chairman of the board, and Doug Duncan, president of Nations Roof of Illinois, Villa Park, was elected chairman of the board-elect. Randy Adams, chairman/CEO of R. Adams Roofing Inc., Indianapolis; Alex Hernandez, president of Clark Roofing Company, Broadview, Illinois; and Gary Howes, COO of The Durable Slate Company, Columbus, Ohio, were elected vice chairmen for two-year terms. 

Additionally, the following were elected as new NRCA directors: 

• Danny Davis, president of DAVCO Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina 
• Piers Dormeyer, president of commercial group for Eagleview, Bellevue, Washington 
• John Embow, president of Grove Roofing Services, Buffalo, New York
• Jean-Paul Grivas, project manager for Ray Nolan Roofing Co. Inc., Louisville, Kentucky 
• Bryan Karel, vice president of operations for Garlock-French Corp., Minneapolis 
• John Kiesel, president of Division 7 Roofing, Galena, Ohio 
• Michael Kruger, vice president of L.E. Schwartz and Sons Inc., Macon, Georgia
• Christian Madsen, president of Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing Inc., Sacramento, California
• Jake Magalsky, president of Ace Roofing LLC, Wilsall, Montana
• Wendy Marvin, CEO and founder of Matrix Roofing & Home Solutions, Vancouver, Washington
• Sherri Miles, vice president of J.D. Miles & Sons Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia
• Lynn Price, president of Dryspace Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 
• Jim Prusak, owner of Prusak Roofing Inc., Bridgeview, Illinois

All 2023-24 officers and directors will assume their roles June 1. 

About NRCA

Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America’s families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of our members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit nrca.net. 

RCS Influencers celebrates its seventh year of giving back to the roofing industry. 

RoofersCoffeeShop, the award-winning website where the industry meets for technology, information and everyday business, announces the 2023 RCS Roofing Influencers.    

Each month RCS Influencers respond to a topic that is hot in the roofing industry such as material shortages, working with distributors, technologies to help contractors succeed, leveraging association memberships and more. Information is shared through interviews, videos and articles on RoofersCoffeeShop. The Influencers represent all facets of the industry including contractors, associations and industry manufacturers and service providers. Their contributions are recognized in a special section on the site called RCS Influencers.   

“Each influencer brings a unique perspective to issues that are of importance to roofing contractors and the overall roofing industry,” stated RCS President Heidi J. Ellsworth. “They are committed to sharing their expertise to advance the industry and help others find success. We are thankful and appreciative of their contributions.” 

We are proud to announce the following 2023 RCS Influencers: 

1. Charles Antis – Antis Roofing & Waterproofing 

2. Trent Cotney – Adams & Reese 

3. Kendall & Chris Ekerson, Brandon & Nalani Smith – SA Roofing 

4. Tammy Hall – CFS Roofing Services 

5. Kristina Hill – HomeShield Roofing & Exteriors  

6. Joe Hoffman – Hoffman Weber Construction 

7. Rae Fistonich – Chinook Roofing 

8. John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group 

9. John Kiesel – Division 7 Roofing 

10. Lee Lipniskis – Levello Construction 

11. Steve Little – KPost Roofing & Waterproofing 

12. Wendy Marvin – Matrix Roofing & Home Solutions 

13. Mandy McIntyre – Level Up Consultants 

14. Arty Molinari – Tremco Roofing & Waterproofing 

15. Michael Pickel – Texas Traditions Roofing 

16. Ashley and Seth Pietsch – Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc 

17. Greg Serevetas – USA General Contractors Corp.  

18. Marty Stout – Go Roof Tune Up 

For more information on the 2023 RCS Influencers, meet them here.   

About RoofersCoffeeShop 

As an award-winning website and online community, RoofersCoffeeShop is committed to being a roofing professional advocate by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all roofing professionals, and especially contractors, while promoting the positive growth, education and success of the roofing industry overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and the overall roofing trade. From the rooftop to the board room, RoofersCoffeeShop is “Where the Industry Meets!” For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com. 

Industry professionals share how they have become involved in their communities, utilized technology and what recruiting efforts have worked in a live panel at IRE 2023.

Final day of IRE 2023 and we’re kicking off our day, right before the show starts, with a session presented by the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) about Finding Your Future Workforce. RT3 members represent leaders who are passionate about advancing the roofing industry through technology. And this panel of speakers is nothing but passionate about roofing, giving back and the future generations.

The session was moderated by our very own Heidi J. Ellsworth, and panelists include:

• Christee Holbrook – Graham Roofing
• Charles Antis – Antis Roofing and Waterproofing
• Josey Parks – J Wales Enterprises
• John Peck – PB Roofing
• John Kiesel – Imagine Technologies, Division 7 Roofing

Getting involved in your community

Whether you’re organizing blood drives, delivering food and clothing to people in need, donating a roof to a family so they are safe and dry or organizing events for students to actually feel a piece of lumber and use construction equipment and technology, there are a plethora of ways to get involved with your local community. This involvement not only improves the lives of those in your local area, but it also proves the mission of your company.
 
You might think to yourself, “How do I have the time to get involved?” Christee’s response, “How do you not have the time?” Everyone is busy and has a lot on their plates, but it’s important to make the time to give back because it will only further your business and help your employees feel a sense of purpose and 

The resonating message is, “Get involved.” You can start small by visiting your local intercity school, which Josey urges people to do. His giving back efforts were sparked by a brief visit to the intercity school near him. Now he donates backpacks with school supplies to the students, seeks out students to be interns for his company, and it started with a walk around a school.

Internships and education

Panelists were asked, how are you tapping into your communities?

• Join your local boards
• Hire interns to introduce them to the industry
• Identify how you’re tapping into your data
• Partner with community colleges
• Mentor young people

Educating on technology

START EARLY! You can get kids interested in roofing and technology early. Christee takes coloring pages representing the trades to her local elementary schools.

John Kiesel introduces technology to students in middle and high school. The key he has found is to bring in people who are closer to their age, people they are going to listen to who feel more like their peers.

And PB Roofing has found a way to reach people through their phones. PB University was designed for the next generation of roofers and entrepreneurs to provide professional development and personal growth. This approach to job and career education in the industry works similarly as online college curriculum. But, the approach has been gamification. “The gamification side of it, everyone is used to playing video games, everyone likes competition, so let’s make it interactive and incentivize people to learn,” John shares. There’s even a podium board, so you can see your progress and the progress of your peers, it’s entirely transparent AND you get rewarded for your learning. Participants are able to redeem points to get items that are useful to them in their careers – Red Wing boots, a heated Milwaukie jacket, tools, etc. 

Reach students and kids where they are at – in the classroom, on their phones, in the community.

Technology to recruit and engage

We’ve all heard it said before, “Work smarter, not harder.” Utilizing technology can help you work smarter; you just have to be willing to try it. Which is what John Peck did. He found ChatGPT, tried it and saved himself hours of time by using AI to write a job description. He even used it to create the handouts for this very presentation and all he had to do was enter a sentence and ChatGPT took care of the rest. 

But Josey shares that it’s important to remember, “Technology advances strategy. If you don’t have a strategy, it’s worthless. It doesn’t matter how fast you’re running or where you’re running if you’re running the wrong direction.” 

Getting started

So where do you start with introducing technology to your company?

1. Look at yourself and determine if you’re the one holding your team back from technology.
2. Educate yourself about technology, whether it’s inside or outside the industry
3. Get away from any aspect of your business that uses pen and paper and adopt technology to help you work smarter.
4. Know who your people are and provide resources for them to learn efficiently and in the language they speak.
5. Know where you and your people are to find a strategy to introduce technology to them.
6. Make time to try technology, experiment with new apps

Learn more about RT3 in their Coffee Shop directory or visit rt3thinktank.com.

Activities include a meetup at SRS Distribution’s new headquarters and a future workforce-focused contractor educational panel.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced activities scheduled for the International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2023.

Members will meet Monday, March 6 at the SRS Distribution Headquarters where they will tour the facility, hear from technology leaders at the company and then continue their work on the technology issues facing the industry. Members have been analyzing the lack of standardization among technology platforms and brainstorming ways to improve communications and integrations among these tools.

RT3 members will also participate in an educational panel on Thursday, March 9 at 9:30 a.m. The session is titled Finding Your Future Workforce. In this panel, RT3 contractor members share how they are leveraging their communities, engaging with youth, and using technology such as robotics, virtual reality and AI to appeal to the future workforce. They will share what they are doing, how they got started and tips for success.

The panel is moderated by Heidi J. Ellsworth and participants include RT3 contractor members John Peck of PB Roofing, Charles Antis, Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, Christee Holbrook of Graham Roofing, Josey Parks, CEO of J Wales Enterprises and John Kiesel of Division 7 Roofing and Imagine Technologies.

“We have all been challenged when it comes to recruiting young team members into our roofing companies,” stated Karen Edwards, RT3 Director. “Technology is going to play a key role in attracting the next generation into roofing, but engaging with our youth and communities is where it starts. This panel is a chance for other contractors to learn how to get started and gain ideas as to what might work in their service areas.”

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry.  RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses.  With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

By Lauren White, RCS Editor. 

Tesla solar tile systems, model-based estimating and VR headsets had these industry professionals and thought leaders oohing and aahing. 

While in New Orleans for the 2022 International Roofing Expo (IRE), members of the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) gathered to learn how members are utilizing technology to advance the industry and help their companies innovate.  Discussions included Tesla solar tile systems and model-based estimating, and ended with these industry professionals experimenting with VR headsets to what the future of roofing holds. 

Tesla solar roof tiles 

Ken Kelly, CEO and owner of Kelly Roofing, shared the inside scoop of his work with the Tesla solar tile system.  While version 3 of the tiles is out now, Kelly Roofing is working directly with Tesla to create version 4.  After extensive training, Kelly’s crews are installing Tesla solar systems on residential roofs.  These systems are unique in that they’re not a solar system that’s installed over a pre-existing tile or asphalt roof, but instead they’re individual solar shingles.  Some panels are power generating, but not all, and you can’t tell the difference between the two.  Their sleek design and appearance are enough to enhance the curb appeal of anyone’s home.  

These tiles are designed to pick up any wavelength of light whether that’s moonlight, fluorescent light or sunlight. Another unique feature is that snow melts quickly off of Tesla roofs because of the amount of heat it generates, which means there’s less likelihood of ice dams.  Further, these tiles are self-cleaning.  It’s important that leaves, pollen and sea spray from coastal areas don’t cover the panels and inhibit power generation, so all it takes is a little rain to clean the roof.  

What really makes Tesla tiles different is the use of peel and stick direct to the deck underlayment.  Tesla tiles go through more rigid testing due to the electric components sitting directly on the roof deck as opposed to lifted on a stanchion.  They also have a Class A fire rating, which is the highest rating.  

While walking on any roof is dangerous, Tesla roofs are especially slippery.  Ken provided us with an insider tip, sharing that Skechers are the best shoes for contractors to wear when walking on the roof due to their gripping abilities! 

Model-based estimating 

Adam Oaks, CEO, and James Lee, business analyst, of Estimating Edge shared about their recent acquisition by Foundation Software and what it means for the advancement of technology in the industry.  Both companies have been around for 30 years and share similar company cultures, which made the integration seamless.  

Their newest program, Vector, hadn’t launched yet when they provided us with a demonstration, but contractors were already purchasing it!  This model-based estimating automates the takeoff process, allowing roofing contractors to spend more time estimating and less time measuring.  Some of the special features include adding notes to communicate directly with the team, and being able to log any activity throughout the process to keep everyone in the loop.  The diagrams and shapes provided in the program are the same ones that roofing contractors currently use, meaning there’s less of a learning curve for new users.   

Virtual reality headsets 

Prior to the meetup, John Kiesel, president of Division 7 Roofing and Imagine Technologies, sent four RT3 members Oculus VR headsets.  They also designed individual rooms for these members – RT3, RoofersCoffeeShop®, Imagine Technologies and Rackley Roofing.  These rooms demonstrated the ways virtual reality can be utilized by companies with various specialties, such as safety, service and sales and marketing.  

Members were encouraged to try the Oculus headsets and experience the VR rooms for themselves, exploring small building models, playing videos and “flying” on top of the building’s roof to check for cracks, flashings and other issues.  The room was filled with members excitedly saying “Woah!” “Look at that!” and “This is so cool!”  We discussed the value of this technology for training purposes, presentations when working remotely and inspecting the condition of the building and roof. 

These RT3 meetups provide thought leaders a platform to not only test out the latest and greatest technologies, but to also share how resources like these can be embraced in the industry and provide contractors with practical solutions. 

Learn more about RT3 in their RoofersCoffeeShop Directory or visit rt3thinktank.com. 

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

CEO of Art Unlimited and RT3 member Anna Anderson discusses the latest technological advancements in the roofing industry. 

The Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) is constantly informing roofing contractors of new technology that will help them succeed. Through their exploration of emerging technologies, RT3 is helping the roofing industry grow and become more efficient. Anna Anderson, Scott Riopelle and John Kiesel, all members of RT3, shared their thoughts and insights about embracing new technology and the value it has to the roofing industry with Heidi J. Ellsworth in Season 3, Episode 7 of Coffee Conversations.  

As a member of RT3 and CEO of the digital marketing agency Art Unlimited, Anna Anderson is all about the advancement of technology. One trend she is seeing is the use of robotics in roofing. She says that RT3 is now demoing a robotic technology that can scan inside roofs and attic crawl spaces.  

Anna also says that embracing this new technology doesn’t mean you are pushing away employees. “These are new opportunities to leverage robotics and empower your workforce,” she says. “You're not taking away from it. You're creating a more stable, accurate solution for that workforce that you have.” 

Ways companies can improve their technical know-how is by being mindful of speed. Anna says that it’s one thing to have fast technology, but you can’t only rely on the speed of your website. You also have to respond fast to inquiries and interactions on your social platforms. By focusing on how you can work with your high-speed services, you’ll be in control of your success as a company. 

While all this change might be intimidating to consumers and the workforce, Anna says that humanity is built to adapt to change. Consumers now expect technology such as virtual reality (VR) because they have adapted to it and want to see more of it. And even though the workforce may be hesitant at first to change, Anna said that more and more workers just want to learn how to use these advancements. 

“The Roofing Technology Think Tank is dedicated to finding innovation and taking that innovation and technology and bringing it to the roofing industry,” Anna says. “We're not just looking within the industry, we're saying, ‘What's out there and how do we bring it in?’” 

Learn more about RT3 in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.rt3thinktank.com. 

Read, Listen or Watch the entire Coffee Conversations to gain more insight about integrating technological advancements in your roofing company.

Members of the Roofing Technology Think Tank started the week of the 2022 International Roofing Expo by participating in a meetup where they learned about emerging technologies and how they will affect the roofing industry.

Tesla Solar Roofs

The group began its meetup on Monday, January 31 with several presentations. Ken Kelly, of Naples, Florida-based Kelly Roofing shared exciting updates related to Tesla Solar Roofs as his company nears their 100th installation.

Automating takeoffs

Following Ken’s presentation the topic moved on to the recent acquisition of Estimating Edge by Foundation Software. Adam Oaks, Estimating Edge CEO shared information about the acquisition and what it will mean for the advancement of technology within the roofing industry.

He then proceeded to give a demonstration of their newest program call Vector. The takeoff software automates the takeoff process, allowing users to spend more time on estimating and less on measuring, saving hours or even days.

Virtual reality

Following the presentations, RT3 members were able to experience the power of virtual reality combined with photogrammetry to see how it has the ability to revolutionize the way we perform site inspections and even meet with our customers.

Thanks to RT3 member John Kiesel of Division 7 Roofing and Imagine Technologies Group, members used Oculus VR headsets to enter virtual rooms that focused on different areas in the industry, including safety, sales and marketing and service.

For many members it was their first experience with the VR space and proved to be a fascinating adventure into what the possibilities for the future of roofing could be.

Future workforce panel

On the first day of the IRE, several RT3 members presented a panel titled Casting the Net for Your Future Workforce. In this session, RT3 contractor members shared how they are working with their schools, youth programs and communities to build a pipeline for the future roofing workforce. From multi-organizational apprenticeship programs to working with youth from schools who don’t want to pursue college to getting involved in the community and developing in-house training opportunities, these contractors shared what they are doing, how they got started and tips for success.

It was an exciting week for the RT3 members as they continue their mission to learn about new technologies and share that information with the rest of the industry.

Learn more about RT3 in their RCS directory or visit www.rt3thinktank.com.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

Check out our special live episode of Coffee Conversations where we discuss material shortages and workplace safety with RoofersCoffeeShop® Influencers. 

Season 3, Episode 11 of Coffee Conversations, sponsored by SRS Distribution, had us meeting with industry leaders live at the International Roofing Expo! For this episode, our COO Karen Edwards spoke with RCS Influencers Joe Hoffman, John Kiesel and Mandy McIntyre about how they are navigating issues in the roofing industry. 

Owner of Hoffman Weber Construction Joe Hoffman discussed how his company is handling the material shortage crisis. He describes the issues with getting materials as frustrating, but that there’s always going to be some issue the industry faces. But he has also found that the experience with supply chain issues isn’t entirely a negative one. 

“We've been really thankful our customers have been, for the most part, really understanding,” Joe said. “We've tried to set really clear expectations in writing upfront before we go into any contract as well.” 

John Kiesel, president of Division 7 Roofing and Imagine Technologies Group, has had quite a full plate these last few years. On top of his work with these two companies, factoring in material and labor shortages can be a challenge. John says that learning how to prioritize what is most important can help you keep a level head amidst these chaotic times. 

In regard to labor shortages, John says that companies can benefit from being less rigid with their new or current employees. “Unlike a major corporation where there's stringent regulations on vacation pay or holiday pay,” John says. “We're working with everybody on an ‘as needed’ type of basis to be flexible.” 

Mandy McIntyre talked about how her company is navigating COVID-19 and changing policies regarding workplace safety. She highly suggests that companies have a policy plan in place and in writing. The plan should highlight whatever vaccine mandates the company has in place and what happens when an employee tests positive for COVID-19. 

She talked about how some customers have asked for information about their policies and some have even their own requests for mandates depending on the project. “There's certain projects that have required that they want everyone to be vaccinated on that project, which is fine, It's the customer, that's what they want to do,” Mandy said. 

Watch the entire episode of the live Coffee Conversations to hear more of our influencers’ perspectives of the current roofing industry!