The National Roofing Contractors Association named Dennis Conway the 78th recipient of its J.A. Piper Award, the highest honor bestowed by the association, during the 2025 International Roofing Expo in San Antonio, Texas.

The award is named after former NRCA President Joseph A. Piper, whose actions kept the NRCA alive during the Great Depression. Established in 1947, the award was first presented in 1948, given in recognition of a roofing professional who devotes constant service to the NRCA and the roofing industry.

Conway’s impact on the roofing industry will last for years to come, helping build a pathway for the next generation of roofing leaders to enter the industry. He played a role in establishing TRAC, which led to the creation of NRCA’s ProCertification, and played a role in establishing relationships with construction-oriented schools and universities that led to the creation of the Roofing Alliance’s Student Competition.

Bob Daly, president of Kaw Roofing & Sheet Metal, Kansas City, Kan., and the 2023 J.A. Piper recipient, presented the award alongside previous award winners during the NRCA’s Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception on Feb. 20.

“A soft-spoken powerhouse, Dennis knows how to get things done with grace, ease and confidence,” said Daly. “His aspirations, commitment and passion for educational excellence has set a standard for all of us while opening new opportunities for students, schools and the industry. His is a legacy that undoubtedly will remain unmatched.”

Born to Lead

Born in Colorado, Conway grew up around construction, often traveling with his family across the country to jobsites. His father worked for a heavy equipment manufacturer, inspiring a love for construction in Conway at a young age. He attended Colorado State University and majored in construction management.

Following graduation, he worked as a project engineer at the largest general contracting firm in Hawaii and the South Pacific, remaining with the company for 16 years. He then became president of the largest roofing contractor in the South Pacific, a position he held for 16 years until the company sold in 1990.

Having started and sold his own roofing company five years later, Conway served as regional manager for the Southern California office of Bryant Universal Roofing in Anaheim, Calif. When he was transferred to Las Vegas, he met Scott Howard, another regional manager, and together they bought the branch and renamed it Commercial Roofers. They worked as partners for more than 20 years, and in 2009, Commercial Roofers was named RC's Commercial Contractor of the Year.

Conway has worked to better the industry during his long career. He served three terms on the NRCA’s board of directors and two terms as vice president of the executive committee. During his tenure as chairman of the board in 2016, he helped develop the NRCA’s Training for Roof Application Careers, which was launched three years later.

“He carried that initial heavy load to put the roofing industry on par with other construction-related trades,” Daly said. “Thanks to Dennis’ leadership and vision, NRCA now has 11 ProCertifications available for workers to demonstrate their limitless pride in what they do and how they do it.”

Not only has he paved the way for roofing contractors to add certifications to their credentials, he also plays a role in inspiring the next generation. In 2009, Conway was elected to the Roofing Alliance’s board of trustees, becoming a proponent of its education initiatives.

“I was really convinced that our industry needed to hire students and employees that come out of school ready and can be instant contributors for a company,” Conway said. “Our future is young, educated, committed, good employees.”

He played a crucial role in establishing the construction management school at his alma mater, Colorado State University, launched through the Roofing Alliance. He donated to the Roofing Alliance’s planned giving program and donated $150,000 to Colorado State University to build a teleconference room.

These efforts served as the impetus for establishing relationships with construction management schools across the nation, which ultimately led to the creation of the Roofing Alliance’s Student Competition, which celebrated its 11th year this IRE in challenging students and their roofing knowledge.

“He believes in drawing excitement to the industry through Student Competitions that use real-world roofing projects, challenging and further developing those skills,” he said. “He believed in such things and made them a reality.”

The Roofing Alliance’s first construction management scholarship, the L.B. Conway Scholarship, is named in memory of Conway’s wife of 22 years, L.B., who passed away in 2013. In 2024, the Roofing Alliance highlighted his efforts with construction management schools by bestowing Conway with its Bennett Award.

Conway serves as advisory chair for ROOFPAC, the political action committee that advocates for roofing.

Conway thanked everyone in attendance, encouraging them to get involved with the NRCA if they haven’t already, all while expressing some of that soft-spoken nature.

“I’m really glad that I held it together because I’m kind of a crybaby,” he said, the audience chuckling along with him. “But I held it together, and I really appreciate everything that NRCA has done for me and my family and all of the employees.”