ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Roofing Alliance honored winners of the 2018-2019 Construction Management Student Competition, the Best of the Best Award and the Gold Circle Award at the NRCA’s Industry Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception Tuesday.

In its fifth year, the Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition welcomed five finalist teams to the 2019 IRE to give oral presentations as the final segment in the competition. This year, the teams were tasked with submitting a qualified bid package for installing a new roof system for the Hilton Franklin Cool Springs Hotel in Franklin, Tenn. formerly installed by Rackley Roofing Co., Carthage, Tenn.

Judges reviewed the written proposals, submitted Dec. 10, and selected five teams as finalists for the competition. Tuesday morning, six roofing industry experts judged the oral presentations and the Roofing Alliance was proud to announce Minnesota State University, Mankato as the winning school and Tony Centro of University of Florida as the Best Individual Presenter.

In its 19th year, winners of the MVP awards were recognized, and the Best of the Best winner was announced. The Best of the Best award is an honor co-sponsored by OMG Roofing Products, Agawam, Mass. and Professional Roofing magazine. Brandon Reese who was an MVP Winner of Other Noteworthy Contributions Outside the Work Place and a Finalist for Outstanding On-the-Job Performance and Workmanship was named the Best of the Best Winner. 

Reese is a foreman with Korellis Roofing Inc., Hammond, Ind. Bringing together his career and his military experience, Reese works with Helmets to Hardhats, a national nonprofit organization that connects National Guard, Reserve and retired and transitioning active-duty members with opportunities in the construction industry. 

The Roofing Alliance and NRCA also presented Gold Circle awards in the following categories: Outstanding Workmanship; Innovative Solutions; and Safety Preparedness and Performance. More than 99 winning companies have been recognized for their achievements since the award’s inception. This year’s Gold Circle Award winners for outstanding contributions and unique roofing-related jobs and services were:

• Mahan Slate Roofing Co. Inc., Agawam, Mass. with the Dartmouth College Baker Tower Renovation project in Hanover, N.H.
• Renaissance Roofing, Inc., Rockford, Ill. with the Cascade Courthouse, Copper Roof Replacement & Exterior Repair project out of Great Falls, Mont., Safety Preparedness and Performance Winner
• Nations Roof of Villa Park, Villa Park, Ill. – with the Rolls Royce North American Headquarters project in Indianapolis.