The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) is remembering a former board member and colleague with an award honoring his passion for safety.

The roofing association has introduced the Naphis Mitchell-Reyes Safety Professional Award, which will recognize roofing safety professionals who exemplify the values that the award’s namesake respected. Naphis Mitchell-Reyes was an MRCA board member and developed safety programs for the MRCA.

Mitchell-Reyes passed away on Oct. 16, 2021 in Dallas at the age of 56. He worked for Empire Roofing, a Tecta America Company, as its safety and risk director. He dedicated nearly two decades of his career to construction safety and successfully guided local, national and multi-national clients in health and safety through training and implementing programs.

The winner of the award must demonstrate a passion for and understanding of safety, as well as a drive to create an authentic safety culture for their company or clients.

“Always seeking excellence in all his endeavors; he would say, ‘I will never stop learning.’ He was loved by every person that met him; he will forever be remembered in our hearts,” the MRCA said in an email.

The award will not be given every year. To nominate a professional for the award, visit the MRCA website.