Robert “Bob” Daly Jr. continues a legacy his grandfather started in 1923, not just as the third-generation Daly at the helm of Kaw Roofing & Sheet Metal, but receiving the same prestigious award his grandfather earned in 1950.

The National Roofing Contractors Association announced Daly, president of Kaw Roofing & Sheet Metal, Kansas City, Kan., is the 76th recipient of its annual J.A. Piper Award during its 136th Annual Convention, held March 6-9 in Dallas alongside the International Roofing Expo.

“It’s better than winning the Lombardi trophy,” Daly said. “It’s a wonderful, privileged award.”

The J.A. Piper Award is the industry’s most prestigious honor and recognizes roofing professionals who have devoted constant outstanding service to NRCA and the roofing industry.

“It has been said that it is not an award that you win, but earn for a lifetime of service and dedication to our industry,” said Allen Lancaster Jr., vice president of Metalcrafts, a Tecta America Company LLC, Savannah, Ga., when presenting the award.

Daly is a third-generation roofing contractor who grew up working at his family’s company during summers and holidays. After attending a semester of junior college, he was drafted during the last draft of the Vietnam War and served two years in the U.S. Navy.

After serving his country, Daly returned to college and graduated from Regis University, Denver, with degrees in business administration and economics. Following college graduation, he joined his father, brothers and sister in the family business founded by his grandfather, who served as president of the NRCA in 1936, and was the recipient of the J.A. Piper Award in 1950.

“I will never forget my grandfather’s award – it’s still hanging on the wall in my office,” Daly said.

Bob Daly receives the 2023 J.A. Piper Award alongside former award recipients during the NRCA's Award Ceremony on March 8.

 

A Lifetime of Service

After the passing of their father, Daly and his brothers became co-owners of the company, and Daly joined the board of directors of his local association. In 1996, he was elected to NRCA’s board of directors and served as a director from 1996-99 and 2002-06. In 2000, he was elected as an NRCA vice president and served from 2000-02 and 2003-04. In 2006, Daly served as senior vice president before being elected as NRCA’s president in 2007.

As the NRCA president, Daly led the association through a strategic planning process and reached out to manufacturers and suppliers to include their voices. One of his most challenging tasks was guiding the organization through a difficult budget cycle during the Great Recession. Because of his professional leadership, the NRCA made it through that challenging time proactively and responsibly.

Daly also served on many NRCA committees and task forces, including the Associated Specialty Contractors, Energy Conservation and Environment, Government Relations, National Roofing Service Corporation and PAC Advisory committees.

In addition to volunteering his time at NRCA, Daly served on the board of directors of the Associated Roofing Contractors of Greater Kansas City; The Builders — a chapter of the Associated General Contractors; and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association — Kansas City chapter before serving as president.

Daly also served as secretary/treasurer of National Roofing Partners; has co-chaired the Joint Roofing Industry Labor and Management Committee of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers since 1989; has served on the Labor Negotiating Committee for Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council since 1993; and is a member of the Roofing Alliance.

“He has integrity and strong dedication to the roofing industry,” said Lancaster Jr. “He’s led a life of helping others — from small residential contractors to corporate manufacturers. He’s not afraid to take what he’s learned in business and life and share it with others so they may prosper. He’s reliable, intelligent, loyal, trustworthy and a good friend.”

Lancaster, who received the J.A. Piper award in 2022, added that Daly was integral to his own time serving in the NRCA.

"I want to say thank you personally for that commitment and your time and your leadership," Lancaster said.

First presented in 1948, the J.A. Piper Award is named for former NRCA President Joseph A. Piper, whose extraordinary efforts kept the association alive during the Great Depression.