WASHINGTON – The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA)  hosted more than 100 industry attendees at its 2017 annual meeting on February 27-28 in Las Vegas. The Association recognized a number of its members for their exceptional contributions to the roof coatings industry and elected two new individuals to its board of directors.

RCMA’s Martin A. Davis Award, the highest honor bestowed by the RCMA, is presented annually to an individual, selected by his or her fellow RCMA members, who has exemplified outstanding service and made significant contributions to the roof coatings industry. The first Martin A. Davis Award was presented in 1985, designed to honor and serve in memory of Davis, a visionary founding member of the RCMA who served both the Association and industry with distinction and exceptional service.

RCMA awarded Greg Hlavaty, general manager at Western Colloid, the prestigious Martin A. Davis Industry Leadership Award for 2016. Hlavaty has been an active member of RCMA, serving on the board of directors and contributing his industry expertise to RCMA’s committees and task forces. The award was presented by fellow RCMA board member Helene Hardy Pierce, GAF, who recognized Hlavaty’s efforts in facilitating RCMA’s merger with the Reflective Roof Coatings Institute (RRCI). “Throughout Greg’s time with the RCMA, he has been a passionate advocate for the Association’s growth and development, and his efforts on behalf of the RCMA / RRCI merger have strengthened the outlook for our industry,” Pierce commented.

RCMA awarded its James “Tim” Nelligan Industry Statesman Award to Matt Lendzinski, field marketing manager at the Dow Chemical Company. Lendzinski is the 10th recipient of the award, a discretionary distinction only designated when deemed appropriate. Industry Statesman Award recipients are honored for outstanding interest and activism in promoting the roof coatings industry and exemplary efforts to achieve significant advancements through the implementation of new technical programming, regulatory or governmental affairs incentives, research activities, technical publications, and RCMA and industry involvement.

Lendzinski serves as the co-chair of the RCMA communications, membership, and education committee, and has been an invaluable resource for numerous activities and projects undertaken by the Association. “Matt is a well-deserved honoree, and has been instrumental in the growth of RCMA’s membership and the development of its communications, educational, and outreach programs,” commented Jim Kirby, RCMA executive director.

RCMA presented its Emerging Leader Award to Ryan Blad, national sales manager at 838 Coatings. First awarded in 2016, it serves to recognize an individual, less than 35 years of age or in the industry less than 3 years, who is making strides toward becoming a leader in the roof coatings industry, and who serves as a role model for his or her industry peers. Blad currently serves on the RCMA board of directors and is a co-chair of the RCMA technical affairs committee, and has been consistently active in the development of the association’s technical and research programs.

RCMA also presented a Special Recognition Award during its meeting to Brock Landry, Venable LLP, in acknowledgment of his exceptional service to the industry. Recently retired, Landry served as RCMA’s general counsel for numerous decades, and was well known as a valued advocate on behalf of the roof coatings industry. “Brock is recognized by his peers for his industry knowledge, expertise, and willingness to move the Association forward,” commented Reed Hitchcock, RCMA senior advisor and historian.

In addition to the awards that were presented, two new members were elected to the RCMA board of directors for the 2017-2020 term. Will Lorenz, General Coatings Manufacturing Corp., and Josh Poole, Tremco Inc., were elected by the RCMA membership to sit on the board of directors.  

Finally, Brian Anthony, vice president at the Brewer Company and outgoing RCMA Board member, was recognized for his long-term service to the RCMA for his participation on the board of directors over the past 12 years.

The RCMA will next convene June 19-21, 2017 in Washington D.C, for the association’s 2017 summer meeting and legislative day.

For more information, visit www.roofcoatings.org.