Drexel Metals Corporation has initiated its expansion plan for the West Coast by appointing Phil Starr as the west coast sales representative. Starr, whose territory will include California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Arizona, will build the foundation for a large West Coast presence in the future.

“He is an industry veteran with over twenty-five years of experience in architectural sheet metal, metal roofing, and coil processing,” said Brian Partyka, President of Drexel Metals. “Along with his extensive installation experience and product knowledge, Phil is equally knowledgeable with portable roll forming equipment. He is a welcomed addition and has the same customer philosophy as Drexel, that customer service and quality is always our number one priority.”

ABC Supply Co. Inc. has promoted 11 branch managers from around the country to managing partner. They are Tom Beckwith of Richmond, Va., Tom Birdwell of Tyler, Texas, Todd David of North Little Rock, Ark., Jeff Durr of Springfield, Mo., Don R. Hardman of Roanoke, Va., Dick Howe of St. Paul, Minn., Stan Miller of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Don Oberg of San Jose, Calif., Robert Robinson of Florence, S.C., Kurt Smith of Louisville, Ky. and Tim Walker of Fort Worth, Texas.

Founded in 1982, ABC Supply is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the United States and one of the nation’s largest distributors of siding, windows and other select exterior building products. The 11 new managing partners will continue to oversee their respective branches and will take on additional responsibilities. They will become members of ABC Supply’s National Branch Advisory Board, which advises senior management on a wide range of topics, including strategic initiatives, branch expansion, product development, technology, branch operation and company policy. For more information, visit www.abcsupply.com.

Jerry Hatley, Jr. has been elected to become a member of the MCA Board of Directors. Hatley fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Lisa Repovs of Samco Machinery in Toronto, who left the industry to concentrate more of her time on her family. Hatley is Senior Director of Sales for Indianapolis-based Roll Coater Inc. He has extensive industry experience in the areas of coil coating, metal forming processes and organic/inorganic coatings, with more than 20 years in sales, marketing, and technical services. He has been a charter participant and past board member of the Cool Metal Roofing Coalition. He also has been an active member of the MCA since 2000 and currently is vice-chairman of the MCA Program Committee. For more information, visit www.metalcon.com.

Johns Manville (JM) announced that Fred Stephan has assumed the role of vice president and general manager for JM’s Roofing Systems business. Stephan’s previous roles within JM include vice president of Business Process Simplification and vice president and general manager of JM’s Engineered Products Group’s High Performance Nonwovens business.Stephan was appointed to manage the commercial roofing business in a time of dynamic growth. JM will bring a new thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) manufacturing facility in Scottsboro, Ala. on stream during the second half of 2008, as well as a number of enhanced contractor services programs. As a proven business leader within the company, Stephan has a successful track record with major growth initiatives. Prior to joining Johns Manville in 2004, Stephan spent 18 years in a number of General Electric’s business units including Consumer and Industrial, Lighting, Plastics and Power Systems. His last role prior to joining JM was president and CEO of a business within the GE Consumer and Industrial division. For more information, visit www.jm.com.

American Hydrotech Inc., provider of premium waterproofing and roofing products to the architectural and construction community, announced the addition of Chad Smith as the Central Regional Sales Manager, and Charles Loughrey as Garden Roof Sales Coordinator.

Smith’s responsibilities will include the promotion of Hydrotech’s products and assemblies at the architectural level and provide support to Hydrotech’s sales representatives and authorized applicators. He has over 17 years of experience in the construction industry with an excellent working knowledge of the products and assemblies specific to our markets. His industry relationships and former success as a regional manager set him apart.

Loughrey’s responsibilities will include promoting Hydrotech’s Garden Roof Assembly to the architectural community and educating and engaging owners, developers and installers in the design, installation and overall benefits of green roofs. Loughrey has over 22 years of experience in the Landscape Architecture industry. Charles has worked for prestigious firms such as Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc. in the private, commercial, industrial & municipal sectors.

Keith Swope, CPRC of Tampa Roofing Company Inc., Tampa, Fla., was named President of the Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRSA) during the organization’s 86th Annual Convention held at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando.

Also taking office were President Elect - Dave Cumming (Camp Rigby Roofing and Sheet Metal, Cape Coral), Vice President - Alvin J. Singleton (Alvin J. Singleton Inc., Sarasota), Secretary/Treasurer - Robert Mahoney (B&Z Custom Sheet Metal Inc., Orlando) and Immediate Past President - Billy Cone (Rooftech Roofing and Sheet Metal, Ft. Lauderdale).

The Bob Campanella Award, FRSA’s highest recognition for exceptional service to both the association and the industry, was awarded to Jim Cheshire of Dimensional Roof Systems in Winter Park. In addition, FRSA recognized the following awards: President’s Award - Ralph Davis (Streamline Roofing and Construction, Tallahassee); Charlie Raymond Membership Award - father and son, Morris Swope and Keith Swope, CPRC (Tampa Roofing Company Inc., Tampa); Bieler Family “Enthusiasm Gets It Done Award” - Burt Logan, Jr. (E.H. Engelmeier Roofing and Sheet Metal Co. Inc. - Orlando); and the Earl Blank “Heart” Award - Mark Zehnal (Miami/Dade County Building Commission - Miami). During the convention, a total of $18,000 in scholarships was awarded to 10 students. For more information, visit www.floridaroof.com.

RoofConnect announced the appointment of Ken Hunt, RRC, RRO, as Vice President of Technical Services. Hunt assumed the new position on June 23. He joins the RoofConnect team bringing 34 years of roofing industry experience with him. Hunt previously served as the Vice President; Technical Services for Performance Roof Systems Inc., of Kansas City, Mo. Hunt arrives at a time when RoofConnect works to expand its customer and member base. For more information, call 877-942-5613.

Polyfoam Products Inc. recently hired Joe Danciu as Eastern U.S. Regional Sales Manager for its Commercial Division. According to Mike Harak, National Sales Manager Commercial Roofing Division, Danciu will be promoting Tite-Set, Polyfoam’s insulation foam adhesive for commercial roofing applications. In this position, Danciu will actively market Tite-Set through demonstrations, office seminars and roof start-up assistance and will be working directly with contractors, architects, consultants and specification writers to keep them current with Polyfoam’s commercial products and application processes. Danciu joins Polyfoam with extensive knowledge of the commercial roofing and underlayment market. Working for an independent representative firm for the past six years, Danciu has gained valuable industry and market knowledge. For more information, call 800-774-3626 or visit www.polyfoam.cc.