NASHVILLE — A panel of roofing contractors will share ideas, successes and challenges of finding and retaining a strong workforce. 

The panel made up of contractors from across the country who have both commercial and residential roofing businesses will discuss important questions surrounding immigration, millennials, diversity and the overall strategies and obstacles to recruiting and retaining labor. 

Discussion among panelists will include how to recruit locally for all types of jobs from rooftop to office and opportunities in utilizing social media with friends, family and community connections. 

Immigration will also be a key topic discussing how current policies are continuing to affect roofing companies while also acknowledging that immigration does not have as strong an influence in several areas of the country. 

The roofing influencers will answer questions concerning the importance of retaining employees with a special emphasis on culture and the next generation.  They will finish up with a look into the future of how labor requirements may change when considering technology and product performance on the roof top.

The panel will be moderated by Heidi J. Ellsworth, RoofersCoffeeShop with participants set to be:

• Charles Antis of Antis Roofing
• Rudy Gutierrez of Shell Roofing Solutions
• Mike Hicks of Hicks Industrial Roofing
• Wendy Marvin of Matrix Roofing
• Jon Stantz of Pell Roofing
• Marty Stout of Go Roof Tune Up

The educational class is WE16 - Roofing Industry’s Top Influencers Talk Immigration and Labor and will be held Wednesday, February 13, 2019, 9:30 am - 11:00 am during the International Roofing Expo®  in Nashville.