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<channel>
<title>RoofersCoffeeShop</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/</link>
<description>Roofing Forum, Classifieds, Galleries and More!</description>
<language>en-us</language><item>
<title>Fostering a culture where all flourish</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/fostering-a-culture-where-all-flourish</link>
<description>fostering-a-culture-where-all-flourish</description>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/01/raincoat-roofing-fostering-a-culture-where-all-flourish.png'
            alt='Fostering a culture where all flourish'
            title='Fostering a culture where all flourish'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Jenny Yu.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Raincoat Roofing invests in its crew by providing opportunities for mentorship and ongoing education.&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/celebrating-excellence-with-historic-wins">In this Roofing Road Trips&reg; episode</a>, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with the 2025 <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nwir">National Women in Roofing (NWIR)</a> World Rising Star Award winner, Sarah Sutton-Shouse of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/raincoat-roofing">Raincoat Roofing</a>, about Raincoat&rsquo;s culture of innovation and investments in the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Culture is very important, and it definitely sets the tone for how the rest of the business operates,&rdquo; Sarah stated. &ldquo;Our core values dictate everything we do in our business, from the culture, the processes and the people that we&#39;re willing to work with.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>One foundational building block of the Raincoat culture is its robust mentorship program. This starts from the bottom up, with all Raincoat technicians in the field going out in pairs. Mentorship was essential for Sarah to grow into the leader she is today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I started as a service coordinator, and Eric has nurtured and mentored me in the best way,&rdquo; Sarah shared. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s given me every opportunity I can ask for: the freedom to attend NWIR days, IRE and meet all these people. Everybody here has the opportunity to take the additional education, take the trips, get their face out there and make those connections.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Now, Sarah is continuing the cycle, guiding her own coordinator through the roofing landscape. &ldquo;It&#39;s just trying to give them a little piece of everything you do; that&#39;s what mentorship is, right?&rdquo; Sarah said. &ldquo;You&#39;re helping them get to where they&#39;re going. Everything Raincoat does is to teach somebody else something.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>One demographic Raincoat is trying to bolster is women in roofing. &ldquo;There&#39;s a misconception that women are less capable in these departments than men,&rdquo; Sarah stated. &ldquo;If we can show them that you can 100% do this, there&#39;s no reason you can&#39;t do this, here&#39;s the tool, here&#39;s the know-how and we will show you and teach you &mdash; that&#39;s what Raincoat is all about.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>For Raincoat, investing in women in the workforce is more than just talk. Raincoat funds opportunities for its employees to enroll in training courses and attend conferences. &ldquo;If we invest in you, you&#39;re going to give more back to us. And we take that focus really seriously, especially with women,&rdquo; Sarah expressed. &ldquo;They&#39;re being given those bigger opportunities, and they&#39;re flourishing.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/national-women-in-roofings-rising-star-of-2025">Read the first article in this series</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/celebrating-excellence-with-historic-wins">Listen to the podcast</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUVEvMcX-l8&amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rooferscoffeeshop.com%2F">Watch the recording</a> to learn more about how Raincoat Roofing invests in women and the next generations.&nbsp;</strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Celebrating the women of Chicagoland!</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/celebrating-the-women-of-chicagoland</link>
<description>celebrating-the-women-of-chicagoland</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/02/crca-chicago-celebrating-the-women-of-chicagoland.png'
            alt='Celebrating the women of Chicagoland!'
            title='Celebrating the women of Chicagoland!'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Emma Peterson.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>CRCA is hosting an all-day event celebrating and uplifting Chicagoland Women in Roofing!&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/crca">Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA)</a> was the first roofing contractor association formed in the U.S. with roots dating back to the 1870s. Originally created as an effort to rebuild the city in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, the CRCA has continued to operate, switching their focus to &ldquo;<a href="https://crca.org/About-CRCA/Mission-Statement">unite those engaged in the roofing and waterproofing industry in Illinois and beyond</a>.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>To achieve this mission, they have created a suite of education programs, informational resources and networking opportunities designed to elevate their members&rsquo; careers and improve the overall roofing industry. A great example of this is their upcoming event, <a href="https://crca.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_jevents&amp;task=icalrepeat.detail&amp;evid=28&amp;Itemid=1&amp;year=2026&amp;month=03&amp;day=05&amp;title=crcas-cwir-women-raising-roofs-chicago-style&amp;uid=a893419fc39e89a86cd1b5ab8edc99b8">Women Raising the Roofs: Chicago Style</a>!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Planned for Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Oak Brook, Illinois, this event is run by one of the CRCA&rsquo;s committees &ndash; Chicagoland Women in Roofing (CWIR) &ndash; and promises a full day of education, networking and empowerment! The day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. CT with a keynote breakfast. Sponsored by the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nwir">National Women in Roofing (NWIR)</a> Northern Illinois Council, this keynote will focus on navigating recognition and self-advocacy in a professional setting.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Then, at 9:45 a.m., there will be a variety of hands-on learning opportunities for attendees thanks to sponsors <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/karnak">KARNAK Corporation</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/raincoat-roofing">Raincoat Roofing</a>, TORI Construction LLC and York Flashings! These include:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Harness and rope safety&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Building enclosure: roof-to-wall transitions&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Roof types and components&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Ladder safety&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>After a break for lunch, the day continues with an empowerment activity (at 12:45 p.m.), an expert panel discussion (1:30 p.m.) and a raffle (2:30 p.m.). Closing out the event is a networking cocktail party sponsored by GAF and the M. W. Powell Company. Registration is only $40 for CRCA members and $60 for non-members.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://crca.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_jevents&amp;task=icalrepeat.detail&amp;evid=28&amp;Itemid=1&amp;year=2026&amp;month=03&amp;day=05&amp;title=crcas-cwir-women-raising-roofs-chicago-style&amp;uid=a893419fc39e89a86cd1b5ab8edc99b8"><strong>Get registered for CRCA&rsquo;s CWIR for Women Raising the Roofs: Chicago Style!</strong></a></p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Growth and innovation take center stage at IRE 2026</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/growth-and-innovation-take-center-stage-at-ire-2026</link>
<description>growth-and-innovation-take-center-stage-at-ire-2026</description>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/02/srs-growth-and-innovation-take-center-stage-at-ire-2026.jpg'
            alt='Growth and innovation take center stage at IRE 2026'
            title='Growth and innovation take center stage at IRE 2026'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Emma Peterson.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Key takeaways from the dynamic Coffee Conversations&reg; panel at IRE.&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/webinar/coffee-conversations-live-at-ire-2026-day-1">In a special Coffee Conversations&reg;</a> sponsored by <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/srs-distribution-inc">SRS Distribution</a> and recorded live at the 2026 <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/ire">International Roofing Expo (IRE)</a>, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Sarah Sutton Shouse of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/raincoat-roofing">Raincoat Roofing</a>, Jewels DeCorsey of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/all-craft-exteriors">All Craft Exteriors</a>, Tim Garrison of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/river-city-roofing-co">River City Roofing Company, Inc.</a> and Ashley Moss of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/mrs-roof-pros">MRS Roof Pros</a> for a discussion centered around the growth of the roofing industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The first topic the panel highlighted was the technological growth seen across the roofing industry. Ashley pointed to AI specifically, noting, &ldquo;As homeowners get younger and/or more adept with technology, they&rsquo;re wanting faster response times. A lot of contractors are trying to meet that by utilizing AI.&rdquo; An example of how AI can speed up your response time is by having it field phone calls, collecting valuable lead information even if it is outside your office hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>And while AI might be one of the most talked-about forms of technology today, it is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how roofing professionals can leverage software and other technological innovations to succeed. Jewels explained, &ldquo;Technology is not going anywhere...There&#39;s no pulling back or going back, so I think for companies in the roofing industry, if you are not at least looking into speed to lead, online booking and other digital tools, you&rsquo;re going to fall behind.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The conversation also touched on growth in the realm of physical products. Tim highlighted the expanse of product options, specifically for growing markets like roof coatings, sharing, &ldquo;Thinking back to 10 years ago, there&rsquo;s just so many more systems out there for retrofits, restorations and recovers.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>As for the increased access to products in general, Sarah shared, &ldquo;One of the challenges is always the availability of the product. Because as a contractor, if I have to pay thousands of dollars in freight, I have to offset that somewhere...Recently, we&rsquo;ve seen a lot of manufacturers getting into supply houses and working hard to make their product available. That growing network for product availability is huge at the moment.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/webinar/coffee-conversations-live-at-ire-2026-day-1"><strong>To learn more, check out the full Coffee Conversations on demand!</strong></a></p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>The roofing community comes together for holiday giving</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/the-roofing-community-comes-together-for-holiday-giving</link>
<description>the-roofing-community-comes-together-for-holiday-giving</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2025/12/nwir-the-roofing-community-comes-together-for-holiday-giving.png'
            alt='The roofing community comes together for holiday giving'
            title='The roofing community comes together for holiday giving'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Jenny Yu.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Volunteers packed food kits that will provide holiday meals for 4,000 individuals in Northern Illinois.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>This holiday season, it&rsquo;s important to remember to include those in your community who need help when checking off your gift lists. We are pleased to share a story of RoofersCoffeeShop&reg; community members and organizations doing just that.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Monday, December 8, 2025, members of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/raincoat-roofing">Raincoat Roofing</a> teamed up with <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nwir">National Women in Roofing (NWIR)</a>&#39;s Northern Illinois Council to support the Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division&rsquo;s Holiday Food Box Packing event. The Chicago commercial roofing contractor and volunteer-based organization came together to pack 1,000 holiday food kits, each feeding four people. In total, 4,000 individuals will enjoy a holiday dinner!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sandy Avendano, service coordinator at Raincoat Roofing and member of NWIR, discussed the power of this event. &ldquo;These kits will serve members of our community in need for the holidays, bringing warm meals and a little sprinkle of love from heart to table,&rdquo; Sandy said. &ldquo;Moments like this remind us of what community truly means &mdash; showing up for one another, lifting each other up and spreading hope where it&rsquo;s needed most.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Eric Seuss, president of Raincoat Roofing, shared the impact of the giveback on Facebook, saying, &ldquo;It was a humbling experience, and a reminder of how lucky I am to have the friends, family and colleagues that I have.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>NWIR is an organization that works to advocate for and advance the careers of women in the roofing industry. In hosting events like this, they invite the whole industry into their mission of service and community.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We are grateful for every helping hand, proud to stand alongside this amazing organization and even prouder to say that community isn&rsquo;t just what we serve &mdash; it&#39;s who we are,&rdquo; Sandy stated.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/raincoat-roofing">Learn more about Raincoat Roofing</a> and <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nwir">find ways to get involved with the National Women in Roofing&rsquo;s next opportunities to give back!</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
</item><item>
<title>Two wins, one incredible team</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/two-wins-one-incredible-team</link>
<description>two-wins-one-incredible-team</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 23 Nov 2025 15:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2025/11/raincoat-roofing-two-wins-one-incredible-team.png'
            alt='Two wins, one incredible team'
            title='Two wins, one incredible team'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Emma Peterson.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Raincoat Roofing&rsquo;s Sarah Sutton-Shouse reflects on the team&rsquo;s double win at IRE 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>At last year&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/ire">International Roofing Expo (IRE)</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/raincoat-roofing">Raincoat Roofing</a> made history when two of their team members took home some of the biggest awards of the show &ndash; MVP Best of the Best and <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nwir">National Women in Roofing (NWIR)</a> Rising Star awards. To learn more about the trailblazing professionals that earned these recognitions, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Sarah Sutton-Shouse, the director of service operations at Raincoat, for <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/celebrating-excellence-with-historic-wins">an episode of Roofing Road Trips&reg;</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>NWIR Rising Star&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Sarah herself was awarded the title of NWIR Rising Star, a win that came as a total shock. She explained, &ldquo;I didn&#39;t even know that I had been nominated until I attended National Women in Roofing Day...I was absolutely honored to be nominated, and I was even more stunned when I won.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Sarah might have been surprised, the award was more than well deserved. She has been an instrumental part in bringing together the Chicago NWIR council. She shared, &ldquo;I really have to give credit to my board. I truly believe you&#39;re only as good as the people you surround yourself with, and I have a really incredible board. The Chicago NWIR council really was a labor of love from everyone.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>From organizing joint events with local contractor associations like the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/crca">Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA)</a> to finding ways to reach out to contractors even beyond Chicago in areas like Northwest Indiana and Southern Wisconsin, there were a lot of hurdles for the board to overcome. But Sarah says that it was all worth it. She explained, &ldquo;We have seen so much progress, and we&#39;ve seen so much positivity come out of it...Winning this award was really vindicating of all the hard work my board has put into this. It was like, everything that we&#39;ve put in is being returned. And it felt very good to celebrate that with my team, friends and peers.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>MVP Best of the Best&nbsp;</h3>

<p>And if that wasn&rsquo;t enough excitement for the Raincoat team, their production superintendent, Angel Arroyo, took home the coveted MVP award. This award is presented by the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nrca">National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)</a> <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/roofing-alliance">Roofing Alliance</a> and recognizes outstanding roofing professionals &ldquo;<a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/raincoat-roofing-systems-angel-arroyo-honored-with-nrca-roofing-alliances-2025-mvp-best-of-the-best-award">who demonstrate exceptional performance, leadership and community involvement</a>.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The win was more than well-deserved, as Angel has more than four decades of experience serving the industry. Sarah was able to be a part of the nomination process, which she said was incredible being able to nominate Angel. She shared, &ldquo;For the nomination process, we had to talk to his family, to past people he&#39;s worked with and to the current people he&#39;s working with. And I almost had to pick and choose what we were going to submit because everybody had such incredible things to say about him. It was awesome to get the opportunity to hear all the incredible things his friends and peers had to say about him.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Angel himself <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/raincoat-roofing-systems-angel-arroyo-honored-with-nrca-roofing-alliances-2025-mvp-best-of-the-best-award">couldn&rsquo;t believe the win</a>, sharing, &ldquo;I was not expecting to win. I thought for sure that one of the other two amazing nominees won. It&#39;s a wonderful feeling. I am beyond honored and grateful. This is a win not just for me but for our team, for Raincoat.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/celebrating-excellence-with-historic-wins">Listen to the podcast</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUVEvMcX-l8&amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rooferscoffeeshop.com%2F&amp;source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ">Watch the recording</a> to hear more about Sarah, Angel and Raincoat Roofing.</strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>National Women in Roofing’s Rising Star of 2025</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/national-women-in-roofings-rising-star-of-2025</link>
<description>national-women-in-roofings-rising-star-of-2025</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2025/08/nwir-national-women-in-roofings-rising-star-of-2025.png'
            alt='National Women in Roofing’s Rising Star of 2025'
            title='National Women in Roofing’s Rising Star of 2025'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Jenny Yu.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2>After diving into the roofing world six years ago, Sarah Sutton-Shouse works with a team of incredible women to elevate the industry every day.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>When Sarah Sutton-Shouse won a <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nwir">National Women in Roofing (NWIR)</a> award at the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/ire">International Roofing Expo (IRE)</a> 2025, she was stunned. She hadn&rsquo;t even known she was nominated.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;One of my other board members from my council was like, &lsquo;Hey, that&#39;s your face.&rsquo; And I&#39;m like, &lsquo;That&#39;s my face.&rsquo; I was just shocked,&rdquo; she told Heidi J. Ellsworth <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/celebrating-excellence-with-historic-wins">in a recent Roofing Road Trips&reg; episode</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Each year, NWIR gives two major awards: World Veteran Award and the World Rising Star Award. After having been nominated the year prior, this year was Sarah&rsquo;s time to shine.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Six years ago, Sarah joined <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/raincoat-roofing">Raincoat Roofing</a> as a service coordinator and was immediately thrown into a complex landscape when the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses online. Filling a need for her new company, Sarah helped digitize Raincoat Roofing&rsquo;s processes and grew a whole department from the ground up. Now, she serves as service manager and as one of the company&rsquo;s leadership team members.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Somebody told me one time, &lsquo;You don&#39;t find roofing, roofing finds you,&rsquo; and it&rsquo;s very much been that way,&rdquo; Sarah shared. &ldquo;And I just can&#39;t get enough of it. I was on a roof on Monday. I&#39;ve got bids going out today. I&#39;m working on scheduling. I&#39;m doing all of these things. And if I wasn&#39;t so busy, my head would explode. I don&#39;t know what I would do with myself.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sarah has taken this passion and her ability to recognize and address needs into her work with National Women in Roofing. She collaborated with several major organizations like the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nrca">National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)</a> and the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/crca">Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA)</a> to expand NWIR&rsquo;s reach to Chicago and became a founding leader and chair of the NWIR Illinois Council. Under her leadership, this new chapter has already organized impactful philanthropic initiatives for the Chicago community, evidence of why Sarah was this year&rsquo;s NWIR Rising Star Award honoree.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&#39;s just about doing what&#39;s right for the members we&#39;re serving. It&#39;s been a labor of love, and I have an immensely incredible board. I am so privileged to be able to work with women like that,&rdquo; Sarah expressed. &ldquo;You do it because you want to, and to have won that award, it was very fulfilling. Everything that we&#39;ve put in is being returned.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/celebrating-excellence-with-historic-wins">Listen to the podcast</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUVEvMcX-l8&amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rooferscoffeeshop.com%2F">Watch the recording</a> to learn more about Sarah&rsquo;s transformative work with Raincoat Roofing, National Women in Roofing and beyond.&nbsp;</strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>QXO celebrates Rachel Narveson as 2025 Female Roofing Professional of the Year</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/qxo-celebrates-rachel-narveson-as-2025-female-roofing-professional-of-the-year</link>
<description>qxo-celebrates-rachel-narveson-as-2025-female-roofing-professional-of-the-year</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2025/06/qxo-celebrates-rachel-narveson-as-2025-female-roofing-professional-of-the-year.png'
            alt='QXO celebrates Rachel Narveson as 2025 Female Roofing Professional of the Year'
            title='QXO celebrates Rachel Narveson as 2025 Female Roofing Professional of the Year'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>The founder and CEO of Proficient Construction in Lake Elmo, Minnesota earns a $10,000 prize.</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.qxo-canada.com/" id="OWA4ad7f16e-3579-e37a-a206-626fbae070a5" target="_blank" title="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qxo-canada.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cremy%40rooferscoffeeshop.com%7C254423cd25a248b6547d08ddaf4a8e9d%7Cf9de8c740b224f1d8fd8d4158c2bca27%7C0%7C0%7C638859456951725539%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=uNCu4BMfi9DmvHejJo4wPpNF4BfM7g09jFq6JMiuBsA%3D&amp;reserved=0">QXO, Inc.</a>&nbsp;announced today that Rachel Narveson, Founder and CEO of Proficient Construction in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, is the winner of its 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://go.qxo.com/femaleroofpro" id="OWA95b21db1-92f4-34dc-a9bd-45ff7afc93b7" target="_blank" title="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.qxo.com%2Ffemaleroofpro&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cremy%40rooferscoffeeshop.com%7C254423cd25a248b6547d08ddaf4a8e9d%7Cf9de8c740b224f1d8fd8d4158c2bca27%7C0%7C0%7C638859456951743724%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=MXNj3QytcUb0Hy4hQHdrLtir5jBwoS%2FM9hERIgDVGNs%3D&amp;reserved=0">North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year&nbsp;program</a>, an annual campaign celebrating the outstanding contributions, leadership and professionalism of women in the roofing industry.</p>

<p>Now in its fifth year, the program shines a spotlight on female roofing professionals who are making a difference through innovation, mentorship, safety and a commitment of excellence in their field. Rachel won in a nationwide public vote against four other accomplished finalists.</p>

<p>For over two decades, Rachel has been breaking barriers and leading Proficient Construction in transforming homes and businesses in Minnesota and Wisconsin with high-grade materials. Under Rachel&#39;s leadership, Proficient Construction earned a BuildZoom score of 113, placing it in the top 3% of Minnesota contractors.&nbsp;Known for her responsiveness, professional excellence and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, she has earned the trust of crews, clients and her community.</p>

<p>Rachel uses her platform to champion positive social change and inspire others by supporting organizations like Renew Hope, which focuses on combating sex trafficking and aiding survivors.</p>

<p>QXO Chief Human Resources Officer Josephine Berisha said, &ldquo;Rachel&rsquo;s commitment to empowering others make her a powerful example for the next generation. We&rsquo;re proud to recognize her contributions to the industry and amplify the stories of women shaping the future of roofing across North America.&rdquo;</p>

<p>As the 2025 honoree, Rachel earns a $10,000 prize, one year free of the Leap platform, a year of membership to National Women in Roofing and one ticket to the 2026 NWIR Days event.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s an honor to be recognized by my peers and the broader roofing community,&rdquo; said Rachel. &ldquo;This award wouldn&rsquo;t be possible without the extraordinary women in our industry empowering one another and driving the industry forward. I hope my story inspires other women and other young professionals to pursue their passions.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The four other finalists who will each receive funding to support their professional development are:</p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Elizabeth Evans, founder and CEO, E2 Roofing, Jacksonville, Florida</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Stacey Lytton, COO, Horch Roofing, Warren, Maine</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Sarah Sutton-Shouse, service manager, Raincoat Roofing, Broadview, Illinois</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Skye Williams, founder and CEO, Samurai Roofing Services, Houston, Texas</strong></li>
</ul>

<p>This year&rsquo;s finalists were selected from over 1,000 nominations across the US and Canada. The finalist selection committee was made up of female leaders across the industry including the chair of National Women in Roofing, the publisher of Roofing Contractor, the president of&nbsp;RoofersCoffeeShop.com, female roofers and select leaders from QXO.</p>

<p>To learn more about QXO&rsquo;s annual Female Roofing Professional of the Year program, the finalists and the program rules, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://go.qxo.com/femaleroofpro" id="OWAfd0d7c15-adb5-6624-3488-f4d6dfa93503" target="_blank" title="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.qxo.com%2Ffemaleroofpro&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cremy%40rooferscoffeeshop.com%7C254423cd25a248b6547d08ddaf4a8e9d%7Cf9de8c740b224f1d8fd8d4158c2bca27%7C0%7C0%7C638859456951756776%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=DpHQb02TnXZNTyf8kiY0vC6NXt7YPnrpJhCRyVq8%2B7s%3D&amp;reserved=0">go.qxo.com/femaleroofpro</a>.</p>

<p><strong>About QXO</strong></p>

<p>QXO is the largest publicly traded distributor of roofing, waterproofing and complementary building products in North America. The company plans to become the tech-enabled leader in the $800 billion building products distribution industry and generate outsized value for shareholders. QXO is targeting $50 billion in annual revenues within the next decade through accretive acquisitions and organic growth. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.qxo-canada.com/" id="OWA69721ddb-aa3a-197f-02f8-7f48269dd6ce" target="_blank" title="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qxo-canada.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cremy%40rooferscoffeeshop.com%7C254423cd25a248b6547d08ddaf4a8e9d%7Cf9de8c740b224f1d8fd8d4158c2bca27%7C0%7C0%7C638859456951769594%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=x8pxU%2FkCLusiJE7dFqNA7v%2B9z7mDQ7Cl34NtDTiR674%3D&amp;reserved=0">QXO-Canada.com</a>&nbsp;for more information.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Raincoat Roofing Systems&apos; Angel Arroyo honored with NRCA Roofing Alliance&apos;s 2025 MVP Best of the Best Award</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/raincoat-roofing-systems-angel-arroyo-honored-with-nrca-roofing-alliances-2025-mvp-best-of-the-best-award</link>
<description>raincoat-roofing-systems-angel-arroyo-honored-with-nrca-roofing-alliances-2025-mvp-best-of-the-best-award</description>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2025 13:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2025/02/raincoat-roofing-systems-angel-arroyo-honored-with-nrca-roofing-alliance-s-2025-mvp-best-of-the-best-award.png'
            alt='Raincoat Roofing Systems' Angel Arroyo Honored with NRCA Roofing Alliance's 2025 MVP Best of the Best Award'
            title='Raincoat Roofing Systems' Angel Arroyo Honored with NRCA Roofing Alliance's 2025 MVP Best of the Best Award'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>The MVP award marks the second win for Raincoat Roofing Systems at the 2025 International Roofing Expo (IRE) Conference.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/raincoat-roofing/">Raincoat Roofing</a> Systems is proud to announce that Angel Arroyo, a dedicated superintendent with the company, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Best of the Best Award by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) Roofing Alliance. The award was presented during the NRCA&#39;s Industry Awards and Reception at the International Roofing Expo (IRE) on February 20, 2025.</p>

<p>The MVP Awards program recognizes outstanding roofing professionals who demonstrate exceptional performance, leadership, and community involvement. Angel Arroyo, with over 4 decades of industry experience, has been acknowledged for his unwavering commitment to excellence, problem-solving skills, and mentorship within <a href="http://www.raincoatroofing.com/">Raincoat Roofing Systems</a>.</p>

<p>When asked how he felt upon realizing he had won, Angel humbly shared: &quot;Honored&hellip; shocked, nervous. I was not expecting to win. I thought for sure that one of the other two amazing nominees won. It&#39;s a wonderful feeling. I am beyond honored and grateful. This is a win not just for me but for our team, for Raincoat.&quot;</p>

<p>Jeff Suess, President and Owner of Raincoat Roofing Systems, expressed his admiration for Arroyo&rsquo;s dedication: &quot;I am humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to work with him, and I am so happy that the greatness that he possesses was seen and chosen by his peers within the industry.&quot;</p>

<p>Angel has been a cornerstone of Raincoat Roofing for nearly four decades, leading by example and inspiring those around him. His technical expertise and leadership have made a lasting impact on the company and the industry. &quot;I think sometimes working with someone like Angel, you take for granted his acquired skills and positive attitude. I truly believe he is one of a kind, and we are so very happy and proud to have him at Raincoat for the last 37 years,&quot; Suess continued.</p>

<p>Beyond his technical abilities, Angel is known for his mentorship and ability to bring out the best in his team. Martin Landa, a foreman who has worked alongside Angel for decades, reflected on their longstanding relationship: &quot;We&rsquo;ve worked together for 35 years, but I&rsquo;ve known him for more than 45&mdash;since we were kids. Angel has always been a great leader and motivator and strives to be the best in everything he does. We all look to him as a leader and congratulate him on his award. Thanks for being part of the Raincoat family, and congratulations again.&quot;</p>

<p>At Raincoat Roofing Systems, innovation and perseverance are core company values. Angel embodies these values through his determination and problem-solving mindset. &quot;One of Raincoat&#39;s core values is &#39;always willing to try,&#39; and I believe that derives from Angel&#39;s skill sets that he has acquired over the last 30 years,&quot; said Suess. &quot;Angel&rsquo;s positive attitude also helps us achieve what most people perceive as unachievable. He has an unlimited number of arrows in his quiver that makes the core value &#39;always willing to try&#39; achievable.&quot;</p>

<p>An Industry-Leading Achievement<br />
The NRCA Roofing Alliance&#39;s MVP Awards celebrate workers who are outstanding employees within their companies and recognize them for their performance outside the workplace, such as their charitable deeds, community involvement, and unwavering dedication to helping others. The Best of the Best Award, co-sponsored by Professional Roofing magazine and OMG Roofing Products Inc., is a distinguished honor awarded to one MVP winner annually.</p>

<p>This accolade marks the second win for Raincoat Roofing Systems at the 2025 International Roofing Expo (IRE) Conference, as the company also took home the Rising Star Award&mdash;an achievement no other company has ever accomplished in the same year. Raincoat Roofing Systems&#39; historic dual win further solidifies its reputation as an industry leader, committed to developing top-tier talent and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and teamwork.</p>

<p>This morning, Angel and the Raincoat Roofing staff were interviewed by Krista from Professional Roofing Magazine. The article featuring Angel&rsquo;s win will be published in the spring issue.</p>

<p>For more information about Raincoat Roofing Systems and their commitment to excellence, please visit <a href="http://www.raincoatroofing.com/">www.raincoatroofing.com</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Raincoat Roofing’s Sarah Sutton-Shouse honored with NWIR Rising Star Award</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/raincoat-roofings-sarah-sutton-shouse-honored-with-nwir-rising-star-award</link>
<description>raincoat-roofings-sarah-sutton-shouse-honored-with-nwir-rising-star-award</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Feb 2025 16:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2025/02/raincoat-roofings-sarah-sutton-shouse-honored-with-nwir-rising-star-award-customer.png'
            alt='Raincoat Roofing’s Sarah Sutton-Shouse honored with NWIR Rising Star Award'
            title='Raincoat Roofing’s Sarah Sutton-Shouse honored with NWIR Rising Star Award'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>Sarah Sutton-Shouse of Raincoat Roofing wins the NWIR Rising Star Award for her leadership, advocacy and commitment to empowering women in roofing.</h2>

<p><a href="https://raincoatroofing.com/" target="_blank">Raincoat Roofing</a> proudly announces that Sarah Sutton-Shouse, service manager, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2025 National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Rising Star Award. This award recognizes outstanding professionals with less than 10 years of roofing industry experience who exhibit exceptional leadership, innovation and inspiration within the field.</p>

<p>Sarah was honored with the award by Amanda Veinott, owner and founder of Maven Roofing &amp; Exteriors and 2024 Rising Star winner, at this year&rsquo;s NWIR Awards Ceremony. Veinott praised Sarah&rsquo;s unwavering dedication to fostering education, mentorship and philanthropy in the roofing industry. &ldquo;Her impact on the roofing industry, her community and NWIR reflects her commitment to creating opportunities for women and advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion,&rdquo; said Amanda.<img src="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/uploads/media/2025/02/raincoat-roofings-sarah-sutton-shouse-honored-with-nwir-rising-star-award-sarah-photo.png" style="float:right; height:356px; margin-left:20px; margin-top:10px; width:250px" /></p>

<p>Since joining Raincoat Roofing in 2019, Sarah has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the roofing industry. She actively serves on the Chicago Women in Roofing (CWIR) Committee for the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA), participates in service manager roundtables and engages in peer group collaborations that drive innovation and best practices in roofing service departments. Her commitment to professional development is evident through her completion of advanced roofing courses and her ongoing pursuit of educational excellence.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sarah&rsquo;s passion for roofing and her tireless efforts to support women in the industry make her an invaluable leader at Raincoat Roofing,&rdquo; said Eric Suess, Raincoat Roof maintenance president. &ldquo;Sarah has forever changed Raincoat and become a rockstar in the industry and a true member of the Raincoat family. She embodies the core values we believe in and loves the industry and will be a force for many years to come.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Sarah&rsquo;s contributions extend beyond the workplace. She is a founding leader and chair of the NWIR Illinois Council, where she has been instrumental in expanding NWIR&rsquo;s presence in Chicago and forging connections with major organizations like the NRCA and CRCA. Under her leadership, the NWIR Illinois Council has organized impactful philanthropic initiatives, including the &quot;Build a Bag&quot; drive for Ronald McDonald House and the &quot;Pack the Pantry&quot; initiative for Almost Home Chicago.</p>

<p>Additionally, Sarah has spearheaded Raincoat Roofing&rsquo;s philanthropic efforts, leading charitable campaigns such as the Salvation Army&rsquo;s Red Kettle Bell Campaign and planning a Habitat for Humanity build in 2025. Her dedication to community service is further exemplified through her involvement in the Chicago Wolves&rsquo; Score for Charity program and numerous community outreach drives.</p>

<p>Sarah&rsquo;s exceptional contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she was honored with National Roofing Partners&rsquo; Spirit Award for her hard work, dedication and positive impact on the industry. Her recent recognition as the NWIR Rising Star further solidifies her role as an industry leader and advocate for women in roofing and workforce diversity. In her acceptance speech, Sarah expressed gratitude to her colleagues, mentors and the NWIR Illinois Council for their support. &ldquo;I love all of you and thank you,&rdquo; she said, acknowledging the encouragement she has received along her journey. &ldquo;This award is not just about me &mdash; it&rsquo;s about all the incredible women working to elevate the roofing industry every day.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Sarah continued, &ldquo;I am truly humbled and grateful for the nomination and win of the Rising Star Award. My true passion is empowering women and young girls, and I am proud to have this platform to be able to further that mission. As a mom and stepmom of three young girls, I feel it is my duty to set a strong example for them. Young girls, and boys, should know that they are capable and that your gender does not dictate your station. Glass ceilings are meant to be shattered, and I&rsquo;m going to continue breaking glass until I see the equality that I truly believe in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Raincoat Roofing congratulates Sarah on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her achievements in advancing the roofing industry, supporting women in the field and uplifting those around her.</p>

<p><strong>About Raincoat Roofing</strong></p>

<p>Raincoat Roofing is a leading roofing contractor based in Chicago, dedicated to providing high-quality roofing solutions and exceptional customer service. With a strong commitment to industry excellence, diversity and community engagement, Raincoat Roofing continuously strives to set new standards in roofing innovation and leadership. The company proudly supports women in the roofing industry and actively promotes inclusivity and mentorship.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>The Roofing Alliance announces winners at NRCA’s industry awards and reception</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/the-roofing-alliance-announces-winners-at-nrcas-industry-awards-and-reception</link>
<description>the-roofing-alliance-announces-winners-at-nrcas-industry-awards-and-reception</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2025/02/the-roofing-alliance-announces-winners-at-nrcas-industry-awards-and-reception-customer.png'
            alt='The Roofing Alliance announces winners at NRCA’s industry awards and reception'
            title='The Roofing Alliance announces winners at NRCA’s industry awards and reception'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>Most Valuable Player, Best of the Best and Student Competition award winners were all recognized.</h2>

<p>The Roofing Alliance proudly announces this year&rsquo;s winners of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, Best of the Best Award and the Construction Management Student Competition winners who were recognized at NRCA&rsquo;s Industry Awards and Reception held during the International Roofing Expo in San Antonio on February 20, 2025.</p>

<h3>Most Valuable Player Awards</h3>

<p>In the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards&rsquo; 25th year, six finalists were recognized for their outstanding performance and leadership or outstanding community involvement. This year&rsquo;s winners are:</p>

<p><strong>Alex Garcia</strong> <strong>&ndash;</strong> Outstanding Performance and Leadership, Superintendent, Bliss Roofing Inc., Clackamas, Oregon. From ground crew to superintendent, Alex&rsquo;s 30-year journey reflects dedication, expertise and mentorship. A skilled problem-solver and leader, he inspires co-workers and young roofers alike, embodying the true spirit of an MVP.</p>

<p><strong>Cliff Johnson &ndash;</strong> Outstanding Community Involvement, Driver, Beacon Building Products, Rochester, Minnesota. Since 2017, Cliff has been a driving force in safety, training and community outreach. Whether training fellow drivers, championing safety initiatives or mentoring others, his leadership and dedication make him an invaluable MVP on and off the job.</p>

<h3>Best of the Best Award</h3>

<p>The MVP Program goes a step further with one of the MVP winners being named the Best of the Best winner. The Best of the Best award is an honor co-sponsored by OMG Roofing Products and <em>Professional Roofing </em>magazine.</p>

<p>This year&rsquo;s winner is<strong> Angel Arroyo</strong>, Superintendent, Raincoat Roofing Systems Inc., Broadview, Illinois. A 38-year industry veteran, Angel is a problem-solver, mentor and leader known for turning complex challenges into seamless solutions. His expertise, humility and commitment to teamwork make him a trusted figure at Raincoat Roofing and a true MVP.</p>

<h3>Student Competition</h3>

<p>The six finalist teams gave oral presentations as the final stage of the Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition. This year, the teams were tasked with submitting a qualified bid package for the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport Hotel. The oral presentation scores were combined with the teams&rsquo; written proposal scores to determine the winning team. The Roofing Alliance is proud to announce the top three schools and the best individual presenters.</p>

<p><strong>Top three construction management schools:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>First place:</strong> Texas A&amp;M University</li>
	<li><strong>Second place:</strong> Auburn University</li>
	<li><strong>Third place: </strong>Clemson University</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Best individual presenters:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>Arjun Varadhan, Auburn University</li>
	<li>Cheyenne Campbell, University of North Florida</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>For more information on the Roofing Alliance and all the awards and award winners, contact Executive Director Alison L. LaValley, CAE at <a href="mailto:alavalley@nrca.net">alavalley@nrca.net </a>or visit <a href="https://www.roofingalliance.net/" target="_blank">www.roofingalliance.net</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>About the Roofing Alliance</strong></p>

<p>The Roofing Alliance serves as a catalyst for innovation, bringing together a dedicated community of over 200 roofing professionals from across the industry. With a commitment exceeding $16 million, the Roofing Alliance funds essential research and training initiatives, fosters educational advancement through its construction management programs and the esteemed Melvin Kruger Scholarship Program and leads critical workforce development initiatives. It also recognizes outstanding contributions through the Most Valuable Player Awards Program and champions philanthropic outreach through its impactful partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities&reg;. For more information about becoming a Roofing Alliance member, please contact Alison L. LaValley, CAE, executive director, at <strong><a href="mailto:alavalley@nrca.net">alavalley@nrca.net</a></strong>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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