search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • Techos y Más Advisory Board
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
Event NewsIRE Show Daily

IRE 2021 Session Previews: Top Immigration, COVID Issues in Roofing

By Art Aisner
Cotney-Head-Shot
August 9, 2021

The COVID-19 “pause” wasn’t much of a break for Trent Cotney.

Unable to meet clients in-person and travel, he spent time expanding and growing his business by diversifying revenue streams and delving into international markets. While launching a private equity and venture capital company and growing a team of industry consultants, he’s not taking his eyes off what issues are impacting roofing contractors on a daily basis. A frequent trade show speaker throughout his two decades representing and defending roofing contractors, Cotney will be back in Las Vegas for multiple sessions that will resonate with installers and business owners alike at the IRE 2021.

Top 5 Immigration Issues in Roofing

IRE Session: Legal/HR Track

Title: Top 5 Immigration Issues in Roofing
Speakers: Trent Cotney, CEO; Benjamin Briggs, Partner, Cotney Attorneys & Consultants
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 11, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Location: Islander H

Despite the challenges posed over the past year by the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of skilled labor continues to be the biggest long-term threat to the roofing industry’s future, said Cotney, CEO of the aforementioned rebranded Cotney Attorneys & Consultants. To supplement the workforce, the industry has come to rely on the skilled workers that relocated here from various countries. However, to employ them legally, there’s a multitude of rules and challenges that are essential for employers to understand. That ranges from I-9 compliance and using E-Verify, to ICE inspections, securing H-2B visas, and the path to citizenship.

The continued pressure roofing contractors are feeling on material prices and overall supply availability only seem to exacerbate the workforce dilemma. The industry continues to look to Washington D.C. for some help and direction, and there are signs showing those efforts may be getting somewhere, Cotney said.

With a new presidential administration in control, there’s a new approach immigration and businesses will need to adapt in order to maximize and best manage this crucial workforce.

“We’re starting to see more and more of the Biden administration’s stance on immigration and the thought process,” Cotney said. “It was very muddled at first, and there were some missteps, but I think as he starts gaining ground we’ll see more and more of an ease of access. That means more availability to get these workers into construction.”

Legal Issues in a Post-COVID-19 World

Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as a roofing contractor would not have been possible without understanding the legalities of being declared an essential business, and several other key matters. Getting through the post-pandemic era as a business will require the same knowledge, as well as some new strategies to manage an ongoing supply shortage impacting both the residential and commercial sides of the business.

IRE Session: Legal/HR Track

Title: Legal Issues in a Post-COVID-19 World
Speakers: Trent Cotney, CEO, John Kenny, COO, Cotney Consulting; Ken Kelly, President, Kelly Roofing; Michelle Boykin, COO, Rackley Roofing
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 10, 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Location: Islander C

That will be the main topic of a panel discussion featuring industry leaders with years of experience managing through uncertain economic times. Joining Cotney will be Michelle Boykin, COO of Rackley Roofing; Ken Kelly, president of Kelly Roofing; and John Kenney, COO of Cotney Consulting.

Organizers said this seminar will focus on the latest issues involving material volatility, including price increases and long lead times. Cotney said he’ll share key contract provisions to include in new and existing contracts that may need a new look in this new business environment.

Boykin and Kelly, leaders of companies that are perennially on RC’s Top 100 list, and will share how to successfully negotiate material issues in existing contracts, and how to navigate delay claims from both the commercial and residential roofing perspectives. In addition, the panel will discuss how COVID-19 has changed their business and what the future looks like for the entire industry.  

Hearing from the leaders in the industry on the contracting side should help the discussion resonate with other roofing contractors in attendance, Cotney said.

“We’re going to go over all the issues from what does a post COVID-19 business look like to all the material delays and pricing issues contractors have been dealing with,” he explained. “I think it’s a must-see. We’ve focused before on COVID-19 vaccines, human resources policies and safety, but the bulk of this conversation will be on the materials issue because that is the hot-button item affecting everyone.”

KEYWORDS: COVID-19 immigration IRE (International Roofing Expo) Las Vegas legal issues in AEC supply shortage

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Artaisner

Art Aisner is Editor-in-Chief of Roofing Contractor and Roofing Supply Pro. He spent the bulk of his career as a multi-media journalist for newspapers and television stations before joining the RC team in 2015. He is the driving force behind the publication’s content development, editorial strategy and other initiatives that serve growing audiences in the roofing space.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Columns
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Columns
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • TAMKO Titan XL Shingles
    Sponsored byTAMKO®

    Built for Business: How Titan XT® Shingles Keep Proving Their Value

  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

Popular Stories

The Home Depot is weighing a bid for GMS. The potential offer would pit the retail giant against QXO Inc.

UPDATE: Home Depot Pushes QXO Out of GMS Pursuit

Florida has become the focal point for construction-site raids, attracting national attention and altering labor dynamics throughout the industry.

Florida Emerges as the Epicenter of ICE Raids

Brad Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QXO, offers $5 billion to acquire GMS, a major distributor of gypsum and interior building products.

QXO Sets Its Sights on GMS in $5 Billion Offer

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • International Roofing Expo 2024 show floor

    IRE 2025: Show Shift in San Antonio

    See More
  • A roofing project in the French Quarter

    5 datos (demasiado) tempranos sobre la lista Top 100 de 2025

    See More
  • Top-100-0824-Hero-Image-1100x878-1.jpg

    Exclusive: 2024's Top 150 Roofing Contractors

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9780128207918.jpg

    Eco-efficient Materials for Reducing Cooling Needs in Buildings and Construction 1st Edition

See More Products
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing