Now in its fourth year, voting is open for Beacon’s 2024 North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year; the winner will receive $10,000 from Beacon Building Products, and the four finalists will each receive $1,000 to support professional development, including attending the International Roofing Expo. 

Beacon invites the public to vote for the winner among these five thoroughly qualified, influential women by visiting the Female Roofing Professional of the Year program website now through June 5. Beacon will announce the winner and runners-up in June. 

• Stephanie Baird, Bliss Roofing
• Tori Bobbs, Poseidon Roofing LLC
• Gina Farese, Marcor Construction
• Heather Hitchcock, Royal Roofing
• Stacy Lytton, Horch Roofing 
• Katelyn Reynolds, Property Masters
• Madelyn Smith, House Works of America
• Sarah Wilis, Wxtite

2024’s Top Five Finalists:

Click on Photos for Full Biographies

Millie Hindes 

Founder & CEO, Watergate Roofing

Indianapolis

Hindes started her career as a salesperson at Watergate Roofing and has risen to become a business owner and mentor. She dedicates her time to causes including providing roofs for Habitat for Humanity, championing the TOPSoccer Program for special needs athletes, and supporting the Aruna Project in its mission to combat human trafficking.

Millie’s mantra, “Do it Right and Do it Well,” inspires her team to uphold unwavering standards of excellence. Her influence and infectious spirit continue to resonate throughout Watergate Roofing.

Melanie Knox 

Success Director, Restoration Builders

Round Rock, Texas

Knox is the success director at Restoration Builders and a trailblazer in the roofing industry. In 2008, she co-founded Alden Roofing, which later became a valuable addition to the Restoration Builders organization. She leads the Pay It Forward program, manages the Restoration Builders Women in Roofing Group, is a board member of the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas and serves as president of the Central Texas Roofing Contractors Association. She also served on the City of Pflugerville Board of Adjustment and was recognized as the 2020 Local Businessperson of the Year in Pflugerville, Texas.

Brooke Laizure 

Owner, Whirlwind Roofing and Construction, LLC

Bixby, Okla.

Laizure, principal of Whirlwind Roofing and Construction, LLC, is a Native American and a Fortified Home-designated roofing company. She is a founding member of National Women in Roofing and helped co-found the NWIR Oklahoma Council, where she currently serves as chair. 

She also supports Women Accessing Non-Traditional Trades (WANTT), is a member of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of the Oklahoma Roofing Contractors Association.

Laizure is one of only a handful of roofing contractors in Oklahoma with Xactimate Level 3 certification. Insurance companies use this software to settle storm damage claims. Using her knowledge, Brooke works with customers to ensure they get everything they need to repair their property.

Sarah Lechowich

Founder and CEO, True North Roofing, LLC

Cottage Grove, Minn.

Lechowich, founder and CEO of Truth North Roofing, began her business in 2021 as a third-generation contractor. She has previously served as a senior director at the Construction Careers Foundation, a partner in another roofing company, and an adjunct professor at North Hennepin Community College and UW-River Falls.

She regularly mentors other women in construction and speaks nationally on diversity and inclusion efforts. Lechowich currently serves on the national events planning committee for National Women in Roofing and is the 2023 incoming chair for the organization’s Minnesota chapter. 

Tomie Kay Morse 

Owner & Operator, Morse Home Improvement Roofing & Siding

Dagsboro, Del.

Morse is not only the owner and operator of Morse Home Improvement Roofing & Siding, but she also oversees the administrative duties, payroll, HR, accounts receivable, employee insurance, 401 (k), taking care of the fleet of vehicles' insurance, maintenance, and marketing and advertising for the company.

She suffered an accident after getting married that left her with a broken tailbone and a spinal injury requiring surgery. After her recovery, she obtained the State Farm Property Adjuster and Rope and Harness Certification and is licensed in all 50 states. 

She has helped lead Morse Home Improvement to attain several awards, including TAMKO's Mastercraft Pro Certification, CertainTeed Select Shingle Master, Beacon's Lighthouse Award, and five years as Delaware's Best of Coastal Style for Roofing and Best of Siding winner.

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE