As the roofing industry mourns the loss of Samuel J. Heyman, industry leaders spoke of the lasting legacy of leadership, philanthropy, public service and family devotion he left behind.

A-1 Roofing Company has had the same philosophy for 100 years. “To be diverse enough in our roofing systems to service our customer’s needs with the best roofing systems for their building,” said Mitchell Rabin, President of A-1 Roofing Company in Elk Grove Village, Ill.

They run their own business, and while they do not have employees, Berle and Kay Blehm have a highly sought-after commodity when it comes to the needs of the roofing contractor: they invent safety tools.

While everyone else is just catching on, Adam Quenneville, President, Adam Quenneville Roofing in South Hadley, Mass., has been ahead of the game when it comes to recycling roofing materials.

Jim Stamer, President and co-owner of Prospect Waterproofing Company, serves the Washington/Baltimore metropolitan areas, but what he knows will help serve a nation of roofing contractors.

Roger Harper, Principal, Creative Dispute Resolutions, and Chris Dunn, Attorney, Walter Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP, know legal disputes can be expensive and time consuming. Their session on alternative dispute resolution detailed the benefits of lesser-known options such as arbitration and mediation.

T.J. Daniels, President, Bright Roofing & Restoration, and Linda Daniels, Past President of the Metropolitan Detroit Building Superintendents Association, are not only a dynamic married couple but they also know the dynamics of managing properties.

Attendees and sponsors hailed the 5th Best of Success conference as the best one yet. It also was the largest one to date, as a record-setting 225 attendees gathered at the Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 21-22 to focus on improving their businesses.

Hedrick Construction Inc. of Huxley, Iowa, has relied on old-fashioned hard work and great customer referrals to build a sterling reputation over the past decade. Owner Shawn Hedrick, 32, and his wife, Business Manager Heather Hedrick, 31, both have college degrees, but it was Shawn who was looking for work out of college when a part-time roofing job led him to start his own company nearly ten years ago.

For two days in Nashville, Roofing Contractor magazine will play host to the 5th Best of Success conference.