The roofing industry is full of legacy companies with multi-generational family histories that excel and thrive in their respective markets. Roofing Contractor has had the good fortune of featuring many of them in more than a decade of covering roofing’s Young Guns.

This group of roofing contractors, ages 40 and under, is different. They all found their way into roofing — and in one case, found their way back to the profession — and are now in leading roles at companies on the rise.

As we do each year, RC celebrated this group of Young Guns with invitations to the annual Best of Success conference. At the 2024 conference, these Young Guns joined roughly a half-dozen other roofing contractors representing companies that are at least five years old and generate at least $5 million in annual revenue to meet with a group of hand-picked Young Guns alumni and industry “facilitators.” 

Through several breakout sessions and conversations, they shared information, perspectives and solutions to prior or ongoing pain points in their companies. It was designed for this year’s group to gain practical advice from people who were in their shoes not all that long ago. 

“It was almost like we were speed dating,” said Amanda Veinott-Praml, owner and founder of Maven Roofing & Exteriors in Flanders, N.J., about the round-robin session format. “Being paired in small groups with other roofing company owners allowed us to bounce ideas off each other and think through how we could implement those ideas in our markets.”

The smaller setting also generated meaningful conversations and networking.

“I gained a deeper network of similar business owners that I can continue to stay in contact with and share in the knowledge of what’s working and what’s not working,” said Kenny Locatelli, CEO of Michigan-based 180 Contractors. “This peer-to-peer aspect is insanely helpful to me and the organization as a whole.”

Plans are underway for an expanded event held before Best of Success 2025 on Dec. 3 in Arlington, Texas. Organizers said it will be modeled after last year’s successful workshop, and yet, it will level up. Attendees who apply will have the opportunity to get in front of roofing professionals with varied experiences working in the residential and commercial sides of the business.

“Our vision is to help each Young Gun attendee not only gain insights from experts, but most importantly, be able to network with other like-minded, established contractors,” said Art Unlimited CEO Anna Anderson, a group facilitator.  

The facilitators also get a few takeaways.

“It’s no surprise, but this next up-and-coming younger generation of roofing contractors has a fresh take on customer expectations, communication, how to build out processes, and truly leveraging technology throughout their business organization,” Anderson said. “Today’s emerging Young Gun roofing contractor is joining the industry at a very exciting time.”

“There's a certain aura that comes with the Young Guns because they're full of innovation, energy and rising success in the business. I'm always invigorated when meeting these rising stars,” said Sales Transformation Group CEO Ryan Groth.

Joining Groth and Anderson as this year’s group of facilitators are Joe Hughes, of Contractor Dynamics; former roofing company owner/executive, and Young Gun Alumnus Zach Wallick; Westfall Roofing’s Chief Marketing Officer Anissa Westfall; and Rackley Roofing COO Michelle Boykin.

Do you know our next Young Gun? Let us know at aisnera@bnpmedia.com.