The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) recognized the winners of its various awards Monday during the first day of the 2024 MRCA Conference and Expo in St. Paul. The association also spotlighted those who go the extra mile to ensure workers' safety.

The first awards presented were for the MRCA’s ELITE Safety Awards Program. Gary Aumen, the group's general counsel, was joined on stage by Ryan Petrick of Frankfort, Ill.-based Ridgeworth Roofing Company to announce the awards.

To become an ELITE Contractor, nominated roofing firms must achieve a Bronze or higher award on their safety program review. Other criteria include being registered or licensed in the jurisdictions where they work, being OSHA compliant, meeting state insurance, bonding, and workers' compensation requirements, and completing eight hours of industry-related continuing education.

“The MRCA’s ELITE Safety Award Program is proud to recognize member companies that have shown a strong commitment to improving jobsite safety through the development, implementation, and enforcement of safety and risk management programs,” Petrick said before calling this year’s awardees up to receive their honors.

The following organizations received Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum award status:

Bronze Award Status

• B L Dalsin Roofing 

Silver Award Status:

• Ridgeworth Roofing Co., Inc.

Gold Award Status

• AAA Roofing Company, Inc.
• Delta Innovative Services
• Knickerbocker Roofing & Paving Co., Inc.
• Rackley Roofing Company, Inc.
• Waukegan Roofing Co., Inc.

Platinum Award Status

• Advanced Industrial Roofing, Inc.
• Beldon Roofing Company
• CIM Roofing, Inc.
• Independent Roofing Co., Inc.
• Johnson Roofing Inc.
• KPost Roofing & Waterproofing
• L. Marshall Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc.
• Langer Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc.
• Manchester Roofing, Inc.
• McDowall Company
• MRB Contractors
• Premier Contracting, Inc.
• Roof Tech, Inc.
• Roofmasters Roofing Sheet Metal
• Royalty Roofing
• T&K Roofing and Sheet Metal Company
• Texas Roof Management, Inc.
• Zenith Roofing Services, LLC

Following this year’s 25-some-odd ELITE Safety honorees, Petrick presented the Naphis Mitchell-Reyes Excellent Safety Professional Award, named after Naphis Mitchell-Reyes, safety and risk director for Empire Roofing, who also helped develop safety programs for the MRCA. Reyes passed away in Oct. 2021 in Dallas at age 56. This year saw 12 nominees. 

“[This award] recognizes a recipient who shares [a] same deep commitment and dedication to safety,” Petrick said ahead of introducing the winner. “We believe Naphis would be proud of how this award has evolved and the impact it is making.” 

Petrick went on to laud winner Brock Hamre, safety and health resource professional for the Twin City Roofing Contractors Association, who oversees safety training, jobsite inspections, and representation at OSHA hearings for member companies. 

“One of the six letters of recommendation described him as someone who has ‘developed a unique relationship with our field workers, earning their trust and respect,’” Petrick said. “It’s important to note that, while he isn’t the boss of the crews he oversees for safety, he has a remarkable ability to connect with them and gain their buy-in on the importance of safety.”

Innovation and Community 

This year’s Innovation Award award was given to GAF for its Roofing Academy. The Innovation Award recognizes associate members for their contributions to advancing the roofing industry through innovative practices or product technology, significantly benefiting roofing contractors.

“The Roofing Academy is designed to help the roofing contractor attract quality entry-level roofers,” Poutre explained. “GAF provides, free of charge, a class that takes potential roofing candidates through an in-depth training program that includes safety, tools, and equipment recognition; what is expected of a new apprentice on the job; identification of the various roofing systems; roof design; project layout; the engineering behind the various roofing systems; and hands-on tool usage.”

The MRCA Community Impact Award recognizes a member company that has demonstrated a commitment to improving the well-being of communities or individuals through philanthropy or community service shown at a local, state, or national level.

This year’s award was presented to Independent Roofing Company of Omaha, Neb., for its support and collaboration with Omaha Home for Boys. Poutre said of IRC owner Bob Swanda, “[Swanda] firmly believes that when the community gives to us, it is our responsibility to give back; this philosophy is not just a motto for IRC, it is the cornerstone of their business."

The nonprofit that IRC supports provides a safe place for youth transitioning to adulthood. 

It's a Family Business

Roofing is a legacy industry in which children often assume the responsibilities of the firms their parents founded. To that end, the MRCA board established the MRCA Family Legacy Award. Recipients are multi-generational member firms with a “strong tradition of giving back to the industry through their support of MRCA” and are noted for their impact on their local communities.  

This year’s MRCA Family Legacy Award was given to the Dalsin Family of John A. Dalsin & Son, based in Minneapolis, Minn. The company was founded in 1912 and is now run by fifth-generation family members.

“Bob Dalsin served as the president of MRCA in 1988 and received the McCawley Award in 1993,” Poutre shared. “He has also served as a president of the Twin Cities Roofing Contractors Association and of the National Roofing Contractors Association.” 

 In 2012, the company was named Roofing Contractor magazine’s "Commercial Roofing Contractor of the Year."

Volunteer Efforts

Poutre presented the MRCA’s Board Service Awards to Mary McNamara, Jenna Kramer, John Minet and Paul Ramon, saying, “Our volunteer leaders have given back in a huge way to the MRCA, and we would like to take a moment to thank them for their service.”

The organization also awarded Kelly Lea, executive director of MRB Contractors, a special recognition award for service to its nonprofit Foundation Board; Lea could not attend the ceremony.

“Kelly, we thank you for all the time and effort you have put into leading this Foundation; under his direction, the Foundation has raised over $150,000 [for] scholarship awards and two very industry-relevant research studies,” Poutre said. “We truly appreciate everything you have done.”  

Following the awards portion of the event, Poutre acknowledged past MRCA presidents in attendance before asking Bill Seibert, the immediate past president and chairman of the board, to present the new slate of recommended MRCA Board Directors. This year’s slate includes:

• Gil Morales, CIM Roofing, Dallas, Texas
• Kellie Paasch, Independent Roofing Company, Omaha, Neb.
• Matt Smith, Fat Matt Roofing, Brownwood, Texas

“The board is recommending that Bill Seibert also be re-elected to serve a term on the board in order to serve as vice president of the association,” Poutre said then nominated two board members to serve their second term, including:

• Michael Miller, Rackley Roofing, Carthage, Tenn.
• Kevin Petersen, Carlson Racine Roofing and Sheet Metal, Racine, Wis.

Wrapping up the housekeeping, Poutre introduced the MRCA’s 2025 Officers, elected by the Board of Directors, including:

• Secretary of the Board: Ryan Petrick, Ridgeworth Roofing Company, Frankfort, Ill.
• Second Vice President and Treasurer: Chris Daly, Kaw Roofing and Sheet Metal, Kansas City, Kan.
• First Vice President: Bob Poutre
• President: Laurie Moore, Kreiling Roofing Company, Peoria, Ill.
• Poutre will also serve in the capacity of Immediate Past President.