Under Tim Kersey, SOPREMA U.S. grew more than sixfold, completed four strategic acquisitions and advanced plans for new U.S.-based manufacturing facilities to support long-term growth and customer demand.

SOPREMA U.S. announced a planned leadership transition effective July 1, marking the next chapter in the company’s continued growth and investment in the North American market. After more than 14 years as chief executive officer, Tim Kersey will step down from the CEO role to prioritize time with his family in Arkansas, while remaining deeply engaged with the organization as chief technical officer.

During his tenure, Kersey played a central role in shaping SOPREMA U.S.’s culture of safety, excellence and continuous improvement while leading significant business expansion. Under his leadership, the U.S. organization grew more than sixfold, completed four strategic acquisitions and advanced plans for new U.S.-based manufacturing facilities to support long-term growth and customer demand.

In his new role as chief technical officer, Kersey will leverage his deep technical expertise and executive experience to strengthen technical selling efforts, support key strategic initiatives and continue serving as an industry ambassador for SOPREMA U.S. He will also act as a technical and strategic resource to senior leadership.

Greg Morgan, currently chief operating officer, has been appointed chief executive officer of SOPREMA U.S., effective July 1. Morgan joined SOPREMA in 2000 and brings more than 25 years of experience with the organization. As COO, he has led critical areas of the business including operations, supply chain, inventory management, warehousing and elements of the sales organization.

With more than three decades of experience in the building materials industry, Morgan brings a practical, hands-on leadership approach shaped by operational and industry expertise. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and business, an MBA in international business and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

As CEO, Morgan will continue to build on SOPREMA U.S.’s strong foundation while guiding the organization through its next phase of growth, innovation and investment.

About SOPREMA

SOPREMA delivers high-performance solutions for roofing, waterproofing, wall protection and civil engineering, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, sustainability and product excellence. The comprehensive building envelope portfolio includes SBS and APP-modified bitumen, PMMA/PMA liquid-applied membranes, synthetic PVC membranes, STPE and PU sealants and adhesives, air and vapor barriers, below-grade waterproofing, vegetative roofing and indoor SOPRANATURE BioWall solutions, silicone and acrylic roof coatings, and accessories. With a legacy of proven performance, SOPREMA sets the standard for durability and reliability in the building industry.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Join RCMA this October in Atlanta for the 2026 Fall Meeting.

At The Coffee Shops™, we are committed to sharing timely industry information while supporting the associations that move roofing forward. Organizations like the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) play a vital role in advancing education, advocacy and innovation, and we are proud to help promote their work and encourage membership across the industry. 

That momentum is clear in 2026. Under the leadership of President Josh Poole, RCMA continues to expand its impact through growing contractor engagement, strong technical initiatives and new leadership guiding the association forward. 

RCMA recently welcomed new board leadership, including George Daisey of Dow Chemical Company as supplier vice president, along with Brent Crenshaw of EPS Materials and Jayne Rollason of Polyglass USA, Inc. as directors. Their experience and commitment reflect the strength of leadership shaping the future of roof coatings. 

A key focus continues to be RCMA’s growing Contractor Membership, bringing applicators into the conversation around codes, standards and best practices. This inclusion ensures that real-world insights are helping guide the industry while giving contractors access to technical resources, education and valuable industry connections. 

RCMA is also advancing technical excellence with resources like Coatings Tech Note 6 on white roof coatings, providing practical guidance on performance, application and energy efficiency. At the same time, member companies are driving innovation across the industry, with SOPREMA USA and Fluid Applied Roofing (FAR) recognized at the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE) for their award-winning technologies. Collaboration remains at the core of RCMA’s success, with new members like BITEC® and AB Specialty Silicones strengthening the association’s network and expertise. 

Looking ahead, the RCMA 2026 Fall Meeting, taking place October 7–8 in Atlanta, Georgia, will bring together industry leaders, technical experts and decision-makers for two days of collaboration and forward-thinking discussion. For contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, this is the time to get involved.

Plan to attend the Fall Meeting and be part of the conversations shaping the future of roof coatings. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Ryan Knippel shares insight into the roofing skill shortage, and the role training and education have in solving it.  

As one of SOPREMA’s business development managers, Ryan Knippel has a front-row seat to the how coatings are reshaping the modern roofing industry in everything from building envelope performance to a shifting labor landscape. To learn more about the labor landscape, he joined us for a CoatingsTalk™ to share his thoughts on how we can solve the current skill shortage issue.  

We’ve heard about the challenges the labor shortage has presented to the market, but one of the most pressing issues resulting from the shortage is skill loss due to retirement. Ryan shared, “We are seeing a lot of key people who really paved the way for this market to retire. And as they take that well-deserved step out, we are not only losing workers in the field, but we’re also losing their knowledge, the tricks of the trade, that back-of-hand knowledge.” 

It is more important now than ever to bring young people into the trade while there are still some of these key individuals still working to teach them what they know. Ryan explained, “First, obviously we need to get new people into the workforce. But we cannot forget that we need to educate them properly when they get here. We have to give them an understanding of everything that's made available and readily accessible to solve a problem.” 

This type of education is something that Ryan and the team at SOPREMA are supporting through programs like their applicator training. Ryan shared a bit about this training in particular, saying, “Our applicator training is for contractors who want to gain that back-of-the-hand knowledge, who want to know the all the ins and outs, and odds and ends, and all the fun little things about coatings. Not only do they teach you about our product offerings, but they also create a space to share information and learn from other professionals.” And creating spaces like that is one of the best ways to retain industry knowledge even as our trailblazers retire.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording of the podcast to hear more of Ryan’s insights into labor and skill shortages. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Whether you’re an attendee or an exhibitor, you don’t want to miss this premier air barrier event!  

The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) will be hosting their annual building enclosure conference and trade show this May! This two-day show (May 5-6, 2026) will be held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is an unparalleled opportunity for design professionals, general contractors, air barrier contractors, consultants and testing labs to network, learn and grow together. 

Come as an attendee 

For attendees, this is your chance to earn valuable professional credits, network with industry leaders and discover the latest innovations in the air barrier world. There will be 22 dynamic presentations from top building enclosure experts sharing real-world insights and best practices across the two days of programming, offering professionals a chance to earn up to 12 total credits.  

There will also be unique in-person training opportunities that combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences. These trainings run a bit longer than the rest of the program, as they are divided into three core modules over three days (May 5-7, 2026). This year’s tracks include self-adhered/fluid applied installer training (SA/FL), spray polyurethane foam installer training (SPF) and auditor training.  

The best part? ABAA is providing “all BEC members, specification writers and architectural firm employees with a discounted rate.” Please note, these rates do not apply for the installer or field auditor training courses. Contact ABAA to learn more about eligiblity for these discounts.  

Exhibit on in the expo hall 

Looking for a way to meet your clients face-to-face? Consider exhibiting at ABAA’s annual building enclosure conference and trade show! The expo hall at the show is strategically placed at the heart of the event, giving you a great opportunity to gain exposure, build partnerships and foster new business growth. 

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your offerings alongside industry leaders like SOPREMA, VaproShield, Polyglass, Tremco, Sika, Georgia-Pacific and RAiNA. 

Learn more about the show and why it’s a great investment in your future, both as an attendee and an exhibitor.

By Emma Peterson. 

Celebrate your crew and share your story with NRCA this June. 

Roofing is the hidden hero in many people’s lives; roofs protect their homes, families, businesses and possessions from the elements. To raise awareness about the significance of roofing and the important work of professionals across the roofing industry, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) will be hosting their annual National Roofing Week from June 7-13, 2026. 

During the week, NRCA will be sharing stories from professionals around the industry across their social media platforms. NRCA encourages members to “share their stories of charitable giving, crew and staff appreciation and signature roofing projects” by using the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 tag.  

Another great way to show your support for this initiative is by decking your crew out in National Roofing Week swag! These shirts are a great way to show your roofing pride with style. You can find more detailed information about participation and National Roofing Week assets to use in your photos and videos online. 

This year’s event is sponsored by a variety of industry-leading companies, including Georgia-Pacific, SRS Distribution, International Roofing Expo, Hanover Architectural Products, OMG Roofing Products, Roofing Alliance, SOPREMA and TuffWrap. If you need more information on National Roofing Week, contact NRCA Director of Communications Krista Berns (847-493-7531 or kberns@nrca.net) or NRCA Social Media Manager Madison Mahoney (847-493-7548 or mmahoney@nrca.net). 

Join the NRCA in celebrating the essential work your crew does each day and promote the importance of hiring professionals!

By Emma Peterson. 

SOPREMA’s contractor‑driven development process leads to high‑performance solutions for roofing, waterproofing and beyond. 

In 1908, Charles Geisen founded Les Usines Alsaciennes d’Émulsions (Alsatian Emulsion Factory) in Strasbourg, France. The following year, his company produced the first waterproof roofing membrane, made out of fabric dipped in hot bitumen. Fast-forward to today, Charles’ legacy lives on in SOPREMA and extends far beyond that one roofing product. To learn about SOPREMA’s products for the entire building envelope, we sat down with Darci Kunard, their national sales manager, for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®.  

For the last 100 years, SOPREMA has been leading the way when it comes to high-quality performance products. This is because of their dedication to continual improvement and innovation. Darci explained, “We are constantly looking for ways to add to our portfolio. To do this, and make sure we are building the products that contractors now and in the future will need, we conduct these types of events with contractors who say tell us what they need.”  

The result of this dedication is an extensive and comprehensive portfolio of products that can be used on all parts of the building envelope, not just the roof! Darci emphasized this:  

We are committed to all six sides of the building. So that's really our go-to-market strategy. We offer sealants and adhesives that can be used in everything from your below-grade waterproofing and air barriers to waterproofing membranes and roofing as well as the building’s interior. We have something for every application. 

Further, their portfolio doesn’t only include products that are great for new construction projects; they also have options that are perfect for service and maintenance purposes. Darci explained, “We supply many of the service and maintenance departments out there because they know that they can trust the ChemLink brand products to be on their truck and it can be used with any substrate.” 

At the end of the day, SOPREMA’s goal has and will always be to help contractors solve problems. As Darci put it, “We love talking to contractors, hearing what issues they have and helping them find a solution. Maybe that’s a product already in our portfolio they didn’t know about or maybe it’s building something new... This is just something that we're really strong and passionate about.” 

Listen to the whole episode with Darci to learn more about SOPREMA and how they serve contractors.

Por Jenny Yu, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

El primer evento de renovación de techo del Consejo de Central Oregon de National Women in Roofing regaló a un veterano local un techo nuevo. 

En su primer evento de reemplazo de techo, el Consejo de Central Oregon de National Women in Roofing (NWIR) le entregó a un veterano local un techo nuevo en Redmond, Oregón. 

El evento, llamado “Raise the Roof for a Hero”, reunió a más de una docena de empresas que donaron su tiempo, materiales y mano de obra para apoyar al veterano Larry Moyer. 

“National Women in Roofing es un grupo generoso,” dijo Larry a KTVZ News. “Son un grupo maravilloso de personas de diferentes negocios. Es realmente algo especial.” 

NWIR es una organización basada en voluntariado que apoya y promueve las carreras de mujeres profesionales en la industria de techado. Su capítulo de Central Oregon se lanzó a principios de 2025, y este reemplazo de techo destacó su valor fundamental de impacto: buscar marcar una diferencia y contribuir positivamente a la vida de otros. 

“Podemos hacer algo realmente especial simplemente al unirnos y ofrecer lo que sea que sea nuestra fortaleza, y este es el resultado,” afirmó Amy Cashman, gerente de redes sociales de NWIR. 

Otro valor fundamental de NWIR es la conexión — construir y mantener relaciones significativas — y el evento resaltó el poder de reunir a muchas personas y empresas diferentes por una causa común. 

“CertainTeed y yo estamos más que felices de apoyar a Oregon Band of Brothers, NWIR y, por supuesto, al veterano que tenemos aquí hoy,” dijo Jack McDonnell, gerente de territorio de CertainTeed. “Mi abuelo es veterano. Fue infante de Marina en Vietnam, así que eso me motiva en gran medida.” 

Otros patrocinadores del capítulo Central Oregon de NWIR y del evento Raise the Roof incluyeron SRS Distribution, GAF, RESISTO by SOPREMA y RoofersCoffeeShop®. 

Para Larry, esta experiencia fue una afirmación y un recordatorio sobre cómo vivir. “Están tratando de devolver a la comunidad, y eso es algo que yo hago mucho,” dijo Larry, resaltando el deber que todos tenemos unos con otros. “Es algo importante para todos — no me importa quién seas o de dónde vengas. Cuídense unos a otros.” 

Fuente de la foto: National Women in Roofing

By The Coffee Shops™. 

ARMA recognized outstanding roofing projects that demonstrate the versatility and performance of asphalt systems. 

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) is recognizing top-tier craftsmanship across the industry with the 2026 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards. The awards were presented during the 2026 International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas, highlighting standout low- and steep-slope projects from across North America. 

The annual program honors roofing contractors for excellence in design, installation and performance using asphalt roofing systems. According to ARMA, this year’s winners demonstrate the material’s versatility across a range of applications, from historic restoration to complex commercial structures.  

Top honors included Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, along with a Best-in-Class recognition. Winning contractors received cash prizes, national exposure and industry recognition for their work.  

The Gold Award went to HER Roofing Co. Inc. for its restoration of the historic Settlemier House in Portland, Oregon. The project required balancing preservation with modern performance, including a technically demanding cone roof and custom fabrication work, and utilized Malarkey Roofing Products® Legacy® Shingles with Scotchgard™.  

Silver honors were awarded to Wedge Roofing for a complex mid-century church project in California, where asphalt shingles were used to navigate a unique curved roof design. Meanwhile, Priddy Roofing and Exteriors earned Bronze for a highly intricate geodesic dome structure in Pennsylvania, featuring hundreds of unique facets. Both Silver and Bronze projects used Owens Corning® TruDefinition® Duration® Shingles to achieve their end result. 

The Best-in-Class Award went to KPost Roofing & Waterproofing for its work on the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. Using SOPREMA SBS-modified bitumen, KPost completed the complex low-slope roofing project while preserving the architectural intent of the culturally significant building.  

“These projects showcase the extraordinary range of what asphalt roofing can achieve,” said ARMA Executive Vice President Reed Hitchcock, emphasizing the material’s reliability and adaptability across diverse project demands.  

For contractors, the awards program underscores the importance of technical skill, material selection and attention to detail in delivering high-performing roofing systems. 

To explore the full list of winners and detailed project highlights, read the full press release.

MINI MACADEN® was recognized in the Tools, Equipment and Machinery category.

SOPREMA U.S. is proud to announce that the MINI MACADEN®, an innovative automated membrane‑welding solution, has been named an Experts’ Choice winner in the International Roofing Expo’s Innovative Product Showcase and Awards Program.

The annual awards program celebrates the most innovative solutions in roofing and exteriors across multiple categories. Winners are selected by a panel of industry experts who evaluate each entry based on its ability to improve performance, enhance safety, boost productivity, elevate user experience or introduce a new standard to the market.

SOPREMA’s MINI MACADEN earned recognition for its compact design, safe, high production‑level welding capability and ability to deliver consistent, void-free installations across a wide range of SBS‑modified and APP-modified bitumen roofing applications. Engineered to improve both jobsite efficiency and weld reliability, the MINI MACADEN provides roofing professionals with the ultimate quality control, improved ergonomics and reduced installation time compared to manual flame-welded methods.

“The MINI MACADEN reflects our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that strengthen long-term roofing system performance while improving safety, consistency and productivity for contractors,” said Greg Williams, national sales manager for commercial roofing. “We are honored to be recognized by the International Roofing Expo as an Experts’ Choice winner.”

"We would like to thank all the companies that participated in our inaugural Innovative Product Showcase and Awards program this year, and to those that voted. It’s important for the industry to honor the products and services that are pushing the limits in our market today,” said Rich Russo, show director for the International Roofing Expo. “Congratulations to the 2026 award winners!”  

About SOPREMA

SOPREMA delivers high-performance solutions for roofing, waterproofing, wall protection and civil engineering, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, sustainability and product excellence. The comprehensive building envelope portfolio includes SBS and APP-modified bitumen, PMMA/PMA liquid-applied membranes, synthetic PVC membranes, STPE and PU sealants and adhesives, air and vapor barriers, below-grade waterproofing, vegetative roofing and indoor BioWall solutions, silicone and acrylic roof coatings, and accessories. With a legacy of proven performance, SOPREMA sets the standard for durability and reliability in the building industry.

By Jenny Yu.  

The National Women in Roofing’s Central Oregon Council’s first reroof event gifted a local veteran with a free new roof. 

For their first reroof event, The National Women in Roofing’s Central Oregon Council gave a local veteran a new roof in Redmond, Oregon.  

The event, titled “Raise the Roof for a Hero,” gathered more than a dozen businesses that donated their time, materials and labor to support veteran Larry Moyer.  

“The National Women in Roofing is a giving group,” Larry told KTVZ News. “They’re a wonderful bunch of people from all different businesses. It’s really something.” 

The NWIR is a volunteer-based organization that supports and advances the careers of women roofing professionals. Its Central Oregon chapter launched early 2025, and this reroof showcased its core value of impact: seeking to make a difference and contributing positively to the lives of others.  

“We are able to do something really special just by coming together and volunteering whatever it is that our strength is, and this is the result,” Amy Cashman, NWIR social media manager, stated. 

Another NWIR core value is connection — building and maintaining meaningful relationships — and the event brought to the forefront the power of bringing many different people and companies coming together for a shared cause.  

“CertainTeed and I are more than happy to support Oregon Band of Brothers, NWIR and, of course, the veteran we have here today,” said Jack McDonnell, territory manager of CertainTeed. “My grandfather is a veteran. He was a Marine in Vietnam, so that motivates me to a significant extent.” 

Other sponsors of the NWIR Central Oregon chapter and the Raise the Roof event included SRS Distribution, GAF, RESISTO by SOPREMA and RoofersCoffeeShop®.  

For Larry, this experience served as an affirmation and a reminder about how to live. “They’re trying to give back to the community, and that’s what I do a lot,” Larry stated, emphasizing the duty we all have to one another. “It’s an important thing for all of us — I don’t care who you are or where you’re from. Take care of each other.” 

Photo source: National Women in Roofing