By The Coffee Shops.™ 

The Metal Construction Association’s (MCA) scholarship program continues to support the educational aspirations of students connected to its member companies. 

Now in its third year, the MCA scholarship program awards $2,000 to selected students pursuing postsecondary education across a variety of fields, including college, vocational and trade programs. Recipients are chosen through a blind and competitive selection process that evaluates academic achievements, personal essays, extracurricular involvement and commitment to future career goals. 

Recognizing the 2026 scholarship winners 

This year, five outstanding students were honored, each representing a unique path and ambition: 

• Mattias Carney (Ontario, Canada): Mattias has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. He plans to pursue a STEM-focused education and aims to become a U.S. Air Force officer, demonstrating a strong commitment to leadership and service. 
• Rory Huck (Littleton, Colorado): Rory is currently studying at the University of Redlands, double majoring in mathematics and data science. Her academic focus reflects her goal of becoming an actuary, a career requiring precision and analytical expertise. 
• Hannah Bergthold (Siloam Springs, Arkansas): Hannah will attend the University of Arkansas to major in education. Her passion for teaching and helping others positions her for a meaningful career in the classroom. 
• Drew Sailors (Logansport, Indiana): Drew is studying agriculture business sales at Ivy Tech Community College and plans to continue at Purdue University. His background in organizations such as 4-H and FFA supports his career goals in agriculture and sales. 
• Colton Burks (Joshua, Texas): Colton will attend Ottawa University to study coaching and administration. His passion for athletics and mentorship will guide him toward a future in coaching and education. 

Investing in the future 

The 2026 scholarship recipients showcase a diverse range of talents and interests — from military service and data science to education and agriculture — reflecting the versatility and strength of the MCA community. The program not only provides financial assistance but also reinforces the association’s ongoing commitment to investing in the next generation of industry leaders. 

By supporting these students and celebrating their achievements through personalized profiles and photos, MCA continues to strengthen its connection to both member companies and their families while helping shape a promising future for the industry. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how she and the MCA team are advocating for the industry amid a complex business landscape. 

Recently, Lee Ann Slattery of ATAS was welcomed as the first female chair holder in the Metal Construction Association (MCA)’s history. Lee Ann brings over two decades of industry experience and a passion for advocacy that is sure to fuel MCA’s mission of amplifying the collective voice of metal professionals. 

This prioritization of advocacy will be especially important in the current business environment, which economist Alex Chausovsky described as “changing from a state of uncertainty to a state of complexity.” These complexities that Alex references include everything from rapidly evolving geopolitics to the decentralized regulatory environment.  

With reduced federal government involvement and changes in administrative policy, state legislators and regulatory agencies are likely to become more active in setting regulations. 

How does the MCA and its prioritization of advocacy help us navigate this? Jeff Henry, the executive director of the Metal Construction Association, explained in an article for April 2026 edition of Metal Construction News: 

With reduced federal government involvement and changes in administrative policy, state legislators and regulatory agencies are likely to become more active in setting regulations...[Those are sectors where] an active, engaged voice [is key] to ensure the continuation of policies that directly benefit and strengthen the industry.  

Being that voice is the vital role MCA plays. Their advocacy takes many forms, including their partnership with the National Roofing Contractors Association’s (NRCA) National Roofing Day, advocation for immigration reform, involvement in Pell Grant fundraising and more! And with Lee Ann’s recent appointment as chair, we can only look forward to the other ways that MCA will be advocating for a business climate that their members can succeed in.  

Want to learn more about what MCA is up to? Read Jeff Henry’s entire article from the April 2026 edition of Metal Construction News.

By Emma Peterson. 

Get industry insights, education opportunities and more this June in Rosemont, Illinois. 

The Metal Construction Association (MCA)’s annual summer meeting is returning to Rosemont, Illinois this June! Taking place June 23-24, 2026, this meeting is meant to help your team stay ahead with industry insights, practical education and high-value networking opportunities.  

This year, the keynote speaker will be Johnny Quinn, sharing a talk all about Unstoppable Momentum. There will also be a new dual-track education system that allows your team to “choose their own education adventure." One track focuses on the business and technical side of roofing with information about codes, standards and a report from the Metal Roofing Alliance.  

The other track is perfect for your marketing and sales specialists and features to sessions hosted by The Coffee Shops™ own Karen Edwards! In one, Karen will moderate a panel all about hiring and retaining talent featuring Amy Staska from National Roofing Contractors Association alongside Mandy McIntyre and Maureen Greeves from Tremco WTI. The other session, a panel titled “Modern Marketing That Moves Metal,” will see Karen discussing how marketing has shifted from relationship-driven to relationship plus digital visibility with Sean McFarland and Mark Carlisle. 

These sessions are great examples of the type of expert insights you will have access to by attending the 2026 MCA Summer Meeting. And you will also have the opportunity to go beyond just listening to these experts speak, as MCA has organized powerful networking opportunities that allow attendees to “build relationships across the metal construction supply chain in a relaxed setting.” An example of these networking opportunities is the Chicago Dogs vs. Cleburne Railroaders baseball game outing on Tuesday, June 23 (additional $25 fee at registration). 

Ready to boost your professional development and set your team up for success in the second half of the year? Get registered to attend the 2026 MCS Summer Meeting (and take advantage of discounts when multiple attendees register from the same company).

By Jenny Yu.  

Learn how the Metal Construction Association is working to help contractors and manufacturers navigate evolving standards and market demands. 

As metal roofing continues to gain market share across residential and commercial construction, the Metal Construction Association (MCA) is expanding its efforts around workforce development, code advocacy and resilient building practices. 

In this episode of MetalCast™, MCA Executive Director Jeff Henry discussed how evolving regulations and increasing demand are reshaping the metal construction industry. He emphasized the importance of industry involvement as lawmakers and regulatory agencies continue developing new requirements. 

“Having influence on where things are headed, having lawmakers and their legislators, regulatory bodies, understand what the burden is, as well as being able to design systems for meeting the requirements that are achievable, is important,” Henry said. “It’s important that we have a voice in those projects.” 

Henry noted that growth in metal roofing adoption is especially strong in the residential re-roofing market, increasing the need for proper installation training and contractor education. “Especially in the re-roof residential sector, metal’s share is growing quickly,” Henry stated. “We've seen similar growth in the commercial and industrial side of the business as well, so we need to be sure that we have people that are installing these products correctly.” 

To support that goal, MCA is continuing to invest in workforce development and contractor training initiatives. Henry said MCA’s education efforts are designed to complement broader industry certification programs. “Our vision is that the training that we provide will feed people into the NRCA Pro Certification Program,” he said. “We'll work with other contractor groups as well to be sure that we're advocating and teaching the skills in a way that meets what we believe is best practice.” 

Resiliency and performance standards also remain major priorities for the association. Henry pointed to MCA’s ongoing work around edge metal standards, wildfire-resistant assemblies and code proposals designed to improve roofing system performance during severe weather events. “That's the main goal, right? It's not just about selling a product; it's about how we make a roofing assembly more effective and perform better, especially in weather-related events,” Henry said.  

Henry added that industry collaboration will be critical as labor shortages, evolving regulations and climate-related challenges continue to impact construction. “The world we engage in, the industry we engage in, is growing more complex all the time,” Henry said. “Association engagement, be it MCA or any others, provides fabulous avenues to stay informed. People who are actively engaged see the direct benefit of that right away.” 

Read the previous article in this series, Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to hear more insights on codes, workforce development and the future of metal construction. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Join your industry peers and leaders for two days of learning, networking and more!  

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) is hosting their Summer Meeting from June 23-24 in Rosemont, Illinois. Sponsored by ATAS International and Carlisle Construction Materials, this two-day event is packed with education opportunities, high-value networking and industry insights! Whether you are a business leader, a technical professional, an emerging leader or a marketing/sales specialist, this meeting will help you stay ahead of the competition.  

What you can expect 

At this year’s meeting, there will be a variety of industry experts sharing real-world strategies to help professionals navigate everything from the global economy to local policy and regulatory developments. One of these leaders is Johnny Quinn, who will be delivering his keynote, Unstoppable Momentum, at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23.  

This year also introduces a new dual-track education program! This program allows contractors to “choose the sessions that fit [their] role — with content for business leaders and technical staff running at the same time as sessions designed for marketing and sales.”  

One of the sessions that is a part of this new program is hosted by The Coffee Shops™ own Karen Edwards! Karen will be moderating a panel about marketing trends that can be leveraged by professionals to diversify their businesses. There will also be sessions from Bob Zabcik and Paul Trombitas! Bob, who is MCA’s technical director, will give a codes and standards report while Paul will share about MCA’s exclusive market study.  

And as always, there will be ample opportunity at breaks, meals and events to build relationships with peers and experts across the industry. This is a great way to build relationships and spark new ideas in relaxed settings like the Chicago Dogs versus Cleburne Railroaders baseball game ($25 additional fee at registration). 

The logistics 

The meeting will be held at the Hilton Rosemont/O’Hare, conveniently just minutes from the O’Hare International Airport. Attendees should make sure to reserve their hotel room by Friday, May 29, 2026. 

MCA also has a unique deal for professionals who register multiple members of their team! You can save 15% per person when you register more than one person from your company with code SUMMER26. Not only is this a great deal, but having multiple members of your company in attendance allows you to take full advantage of the dual-track sessions and get takeaways from the meeting that benefit your entire organization.  

Learn more and get registered today!

By Metal Construction Alliance.

Join us to learn design‑focused, technical and practical tips from three experts, including an award-winning architect and an industry-leading specifier!

You're invited to earn up to three continuing education (CE) credits at a new, half-day educational program on May 29, 2026 in Chicago. Form, Function, and Finish: Designing with Metal is being developed and delivered by the Metal Construction Association (MCA)—the industry authority on the use of metal in the building envelope. Breakfast is included, and you can make new connections with time to network with attendees and vendors.

The details

When: Friday, May 29, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: 633 North St. Clair Street, Chicago
What: Earn three (3) CEs in one morning
Why: Level up your skills and network

Registration is free for architects, designers and specifiers from throughout the Chicago area, Milwaukee and northwest Indiana.

What you'll learn and from whom

Designing with Metal: Performance, Resilience + Architectural Expression
Rick Schneider, FAIA LEED, founder and principal of ISTUDIO Architects
An architect will discuss how metal systems reduce long-term operational costs, streamline construction and support resilient design via four award-winning projects. 

Designing With Metal Composite Materials
Samuel Chastain, director of commercial operations at Alfrex, Inc
Learn about flexibility, sustainability, energy efficiency and visual appearance designing with metal composite materials from an experienced industry professional who co-invented a composite building panel with improved resilience.

Insulated Metal Panels: Performance, Sustainability, + Design
Kyle Ferenc, CSI, district sales manager, ATAS International and VP of the Chicago Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute
A specifier will explore various uses for insulated metal panels in creative design, and the benefits of long-term sustainability. 

Companies you can connect with

In addition to learning, you can network with other attendees and meet leading suppliers for the metal building envelope. These companies include McElroy Metals, ATAS International, Sheffield Metals and more. The entire event is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings. Make new connections and find products to help you achieve your goals!

Save your seat today! 

Honoring industry leaders for lifetimes of contribution and service to the metal industry.

In 2012, the Metal Constructon News Hall of Fame was formed through a collaboration with the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), Metal Construction Association (MCA) and Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) to recognize "those individuals who have had a significant impact on the metal construction industry through their innovation, effort and leadership." 

These individuals are chosen based on five categories:

• Unique contribution: Looks specifically at the individual's creations and/or developments that advance the industry.
• Body of work: Assess the depth and breadth of the nominee's contributions to the industry across their entire career
• Legacy: Focuses on the long-lasting impacts of the nominee's work in the industry.
• Integrity: Highlights the ethical and professional standards that the nominee exhibits.
• Longevity: Requires the nominee to have been "actively involved in the industry for at least 10 years."

Now in its 14th year, the Hall of Fame has releasede the 2026 list of contractors, manufacturers and industry friends who have made a difference and been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Ted Wolfe

In the high-stakes, heavy-tonnage world of pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMB), the industry often risks losing sight of the people beneath the steel. Modern corporations frequently succumb to the “commodity trap,” viewing the market as little more than rows on a spreadsheet and total tons shipped. But for decades, the industry had a conscience — a “Southern gentleman” named Ted Wolfe who understood that while the factory produces the parts, it is the builder who produces the building.

Tony “TR” Raimondo and Phil Raimondo

The metal building industry is often defined by those who can bridge the gap between rigorous engineering and visionary leadership. For nearly four decades, Tony “TR” Raimondo and his son, Phil Raimondo, embodied this balance, transforming Behlen Manufacturing Company from a struggling enterprise into a global industry titan. Their combined leadership represents a unique “father-son” milestone in the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) history, marking a legacy of service that has fortified the industry’s standards, market reach and workforce.

Jeff Alexander

In the world of industrial coatings, few names carry as much weight as Jeff Alexander. As the global vice president of sales for the coil and extrusion division of The Sherwin-Williams Company, Alexander doesn’t just help to manage a multibillion-dollar business; he shapes the very aesthetic and structural integrity of the modern built environment. With a career spanning four decades, Jeff’s induction into the Hall of Fame recognizes a leader whose impact is measured not just in square footage coated but in the enduring partnerships and organizational cultures he has built.

Arnold Corbin

In the specialized world of insulated metal panels (IMPs) and pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs), few professionals have bridged the gap between manufacturing precision and jobsite reality as effectively as Arnold Corbin. With a career spanning over four decades at the forefront of the industry’s evolution — from the early days of Metl-Span to his current leadership within the Nucor Insulated Panel Group — Arnold has become a foundational figure whose influence extends far beyond the corporate boardrooms of his employers.

Richard Ahrens

In the storied history of the Florida construction industry, few figures have managed to bridge the gap between legacy and logic as effectively as Richard Ahrens. A third-generation leader representing a heritage that dates back to 1902, Richard did not merely maintain a family business; he transformed it. By blending the grit of a traditional builder with the analytical precision of an academic, he moved the pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) industry from the fringes of economical utility into the mainstream of high-performance architectural design.

Mark Detwiler

Through a career spanning the full spectrum of structural engineering — from the details of project design to the influence of national standards — Mark Detwiler has been a cornerstone of the metal industry. His trajectory is defined not merely by his professional advancement from hands-on engineering to senior technical leadership, but by a tireless commitment to the safety, reliability and advancement of metal building systems. Mark’s work represents a rare bridge between the theoretical rigors of applied research and the practical realities of the field.

Find more information online.

A coalition of industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada has completed its Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing for the third quarter of 2025.

The survey is an industrywide effort spearheaded by a coalition of trade assocations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, Metal Roofing Alliance, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

Seventy percent of survey responses came from roofing contractors, and 30% of responses came from roof consultants. Forty-eight percent of respondents indicated they primarily work on low-slope roof systems; 39% indicated they primarily work on a blend of low-slope and steep-slope roof systems; and 13% indicated they primarily work on steep-slope roof systems.

Participants who identify as roofing contractors were asked to report the number of squares of reroofing material installed by their companies during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same quarter in 2025. Thirty-two percent of respondents reported the volume of reroofing materials installed increased, 32% reported no change and 36% reported a decrease in materials installed year-over-year.

Thirty-six percent of all survey respondents indicated their customer inquiries increased. Forty-three percent of respondents reported no change in activity, and 21% indicated a decrease. Project contracts increased for 33% of respondents, 40% reported no change in activity and 27% indicated a decrease in project contracts.

Additionally, two indices offer insight regarding customer inquiries and project contracts across market segments. The indices are based on a 0 to 100 scale. A score of 50 or higher suggests expansion or optimism; a score below 50 indicates contraction or pessimism.

• The customer inquiries index score for the total industry increased to 57.1 compared with 39.0 for the fourth quarter of 2025. The score for the steep-slope reroofing market is 50, the score for the low-slope reroofing market is 59.1, and the score for the blended low- and steep-slope reroofing market is 57.1.
• The project contracts index score for the total industry increased to 52.9 compared with 45.2 for the fourth quarter of 2025. The score for the steep-slope reroofing market is 50.0, the score for the low-slope reroofing market is 56.1, and the score for the blended low- and steep-slope reroofing market is 50.0.

As of April 2026, 26% of respondents reported no project backlogs, 40% indicated project backlogs of one to two months and 21% indicated backlogs of three to four months. Thirteen percent of respondents reported project backlogs of five or more months.

The complete results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are available to those who participate in the survey via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics. Any contractor or consultant who wants to participate in the next quarter’s survey can sign up for a notification at http://bit.ly/37ank7D.

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.

By Jenny Yu.  

In a time of increasingly complex federal and state regulations, MCA is preparing new resources and partnerships to strengthen the industry. 

During this episode of MetalCast™, Karen Edwards spoke with Jeff Henry, executive director of the Metal Construction Association (MCA), about MCA’s Winter Meeting and the initiatives the association is developing to support industry growth.  

One major focus is education for professionals entering the metal construction sector. “We're developing an education program for people that are new to the industry,” Jeff shared. “What are the basic things they need to understand — substrates that are used, when do you use what, the different roles that people play in the industry. It’s a soup-to-nuts approach, a metal 101 curriculum.” Segments of the program are expected to roll out in 2026. 

At the same time, MCA is looking to expand its market development activities. According to Jeff, the organization recently completed an agency review and is bringing on a marketing firm to expand their impact. “That’s our purpose: to advance the use of metal in the building envelope,” Jeff said. “We intend to grow and expand our impact and our educational efforts to our key constituents and stakeholders and those who make decisions about what products are used in their projects.” 

Furthermore, MCA is strengthening collaboration across the industry. They recently hosted an executive forum that brought together 10 trade associations to discuss common interests, goals and opportunities. “We have an opportunity to come together and have greater collaboration and impact as one entity rather than 10 individual programs,” Jeff stated. “We plan to hold that conference twice a year, and we’ve already identified a couple initiatives.” 

Among these initiatives is paying closer attention to government relations as regulatory activity increases and becomes more complex at the state level. “It's kind of the Wild West at the moment,” Jeff said. “It's important to be informed when there's new legislation or regulatory issues that are being proposed so that the experts can have a voice in that process and influence outcomes."

Read the first article in this series, Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about MCA’s priorities and how the association plans to support the metal construction industry in 2026.

By Jenny Yu. 

Sherwin-Williams' MetalVue gathers all the tools, resources and training contractors need to break through in the metal space. 

For contractors, nothing is more valuable than having the right resources and support. Sherwin-Willams wants to see more metal across buildings and rooftops, so they’re doing their part to help contractors succeed.  

MetalVue is a carefully curated suite of services to help newcomers and metal veterans alike as they grow and scale their businesses. “Anyone that wants to start offering metal, increase their metal offerings or maybe move away from asphalt to metal — whatever scenario it is, we want to make sure that they feel supported, and that they have the right resources needed to be successful in the metal space,” Junny Lee, market segment manager for MetalVue, shared in this RoofersCoffeeShop RLW®.  

Heather McGinnis, MetalVue’s contractor sales representative, likened MetalVue to an expert contractor’s toolbox, complete with visualizers, CRMs and business solutions. “We've done the homework for you, put it in a nice toolbox and you can reach in that toolbox anytime you need to,” Heather explained. “There are different tools for each part of what you do. You can take what pertains to your business and what your business needs are. We went out and got the best of the best.” 

Some “tools” included in the toolbox include: 

• Renoworks: An advanced AI-powered web visualizer 
• The Stonegate Group: A veteran business solutions and consulting firm 
• Eagleview: A leading provider of aerial imagery and asset intelligence 
• GiddyUp Roofing Software: A cloud-based CRM and canvasser 
• MetalCoffeeShop®: A one-of-a-kind educational, informational and community experience for metal contractors 
• Associations like Metal Roofing Alliance, the Metal Construction Association and National Women in Roofing for networking opportunities 
• Roofing Passport: Sherwin-Williams' roof takeoff and estimating software. 

“If we want to be industry leaders in our industry, we want to make sure the people that we work with are also leaders in their respective space,” Junny said to the caliber of the hand-picked partners that make up MetalVue. “We're always trying to figure out ways to bring value to contractors.” 

So far, contractors have benefited from the value provided by MetalVue, providing positive feedback about the program’s impact on their businesses. “It has given them their time back that they would have spent bidding and estimating and researching these things. We've already done it for you,” Heather offered, adding that there’s only more opportunity ahead. “The growth benefits are huge for metal. We see it everywhere, and we would love to partner with anybody that wants to either grow their business or get started in it.  

Read the first article in this series, Listen to the conversation or Watch the presentation to learn more about how you can take advantage of the value the MetalVue program creates for metal contractors.