Westlake Royal Building Products, a Westlake company, announced that Wade Shepherd, senior manager of components & technical for roofing, has been appointed to the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) Board of Directors, effective Oct. 2.

CRRC is a 501(c)(3) industry nonprofit organization that develops fair, accurate and credible methods for evaluating and labeling the radiative properties of roofing and exterior wall products.

As part of his commitment to the betterment of the roofing industry, Shepherd has contributed to the CRRC for over a decade. In its own announcement about Shepherd’s new role on the Board, CRRC notes that his appointment “is a testament to his expertise, leadership, and unwavering dedication to advancing roofing technology and sustainability.”

Some of Shepherd’s contributions to the CRRC include:

• Serving as a member of the CRRC S100 Consensus Body since 2023
• 10 years as a Technical Committee member
• Contributing to the Education Committee since 2021
• Actively participating in the Ratings, Codes, and Standards Committee since 2020
• Engaging in the Energy Savings and Random Testing Working Groups, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards
• Involvement in the Method Evaluation and STEAM Working Groups

“Wade Shepherd is a recognized, standout leader in roofing,” says Eric Miller, vice president, sales for Westlake Royal Building Products’ roofing brands. “Not only does he bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge to our own organization, but he is widely influential across the industry through his participation within key industry associations. His CRRC Board Member role is simply his latest industry accomplishment.”

Shepherd’s participation outside of CRRC spans additional organizations including: the Friends of Mandarin Immersion Program at Marian Bergeson Elementary School; the RICOWI Foundation, and the Roofing Industry Committee On Weather Issues, where he has been a dedicated member for over 15 years; the National Roofing Contractors Association; and the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance. 

At Westlake Royal Building Products, Shepherd’s role is also substantial. He manages the company’s roof components business and supports the technical department for roofing. He also plays a critical role in the new development of components products for both the company’s roofing and stone businesses, and supports product testing, approvals, codes and standards efforts.

Shepherd has notably co-authored industry installation manuals and represented Westlake Royal Building Products at various lobbying events, including leading the California contingent at Roofing Day in D.C. in April 2024.