SPRI recognized two of its members for outstanding contributions to the industry at the association’s 29th Annual Conference and Business Meeting held Jan. 15-17 at the Hilton Carillon Park in St. Petersburg, Fla.

WALTHAM, Mass. - SPRI recognized two of its members for outstanding contributions to the industry at the association’s 29th Annual Conference and Business Meeting held Jan. 15-17 at the Hilton Carillon Park in St. Petersburg, Fla. SPRI represents sheet membrane and component suppliers to the commercial roofing industry.

Sid Teachey, national sales manager at USG, manufacturer of Securock Roof Boards, was recognized for his leadership of SPRI’s Root Penetration Standard Development Task Force. Teachey led the task force for three years during which time it developed a test method entitled “Procedure for Investigating Resistance to Root Penetration on Vegetative Roofs” to evaluate the ability of a root protection barrier to prevent root penetration through the waterproofing layer on low-slope single-ply membrane and coated roofs.

The newly developed test method is based on research by a team at Penn State University led by Professor Robert Berghage, which adapted the German Landscape Research, Development and Construction Society (FLL) document “Procedure for Investigating Resistance to Root Penetration at Green-roof Sites.” The test method was then canvassed for approval as an American national standard.

Also recognized was Shawn Stanley, marketing director at IB Roof Systems, for his successful effort in providing information to various legislators and convincing them to include language in two currently proposed energy bills (the Energy Star Bill and the GREETA Bill) to provide tax incentives for the installation of reflective roofs.

For more information about SPRI and its 2011 initiatives and other activities, visitwww.spri.orgor contact the association atinfo@spri.org.