National Women in Roofing (NWIR) will welcome Kelly Wade, CEO of Tampa-based North American Roofing as keynote speaker at its networking and mentoring reception on Monday, Feb. 5, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Great Hall C, in New Orleans. The event precedes the 2018 International Roofing Expo. Registration for the talk is not required.

“We are thrilled to have Kelly share her story of her career path in the roofing industry that eventually led her to become,” said Mallory Payne, chair of NWIR’s mentoring committee. “Her advice and experience are sure to encourage and inspire everyone attending the event. The NWIR Mentoring Committee works hard to find speakers that are not only influential, but also have powerful stories and passion for this industry.”

The event will feature an interactive question and answer session with Kelly following her presentation. Those planning to attend to submit their questions to info@nationalwomeninroofing.org by Jan. 31.

Wade grew up in Ohio and graduated from Miami University before building a career in sales, marketing, business development and strategic planning that’s lasted more than two decades.

She joined North American Roofing in 2009 as the director of marketing and moved to the position of director of sales and marketing in her first year. She became vice president of strategy, executive vice president, and then chief operating officer in 2015. Last August, she became CEO and is now responsible for the strategic vision and overall operations of the company. Since 2009, the company has grown top-line revenue by 300 percent, and generated more than $150 million in revenue – good for the 6^th spot on RC’s 2017 Top 100 list.