Breaking barriers through information technology

By Dani Sheehan.

Information technology (IT) is not just about tools and systems – it’s about people, problem-solving and creating a lasting impact.

The roofing industry may not immediately come to mind when you think about information technology (IT), but at Tremco, two employees are redefining what it means to blend IT experience with industry-specific innovation. In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth sits down with Susan L. Kapcoe and Shefali Power to discuss the evolving role of IT professionals, and the tangible, transformative impacts IT has on businesses and their employees.

Like many careers, Susan’s path into IT was anything but linear. With 25 years at Tremco – 16 of which she’s spent in the IT department – her career began in administration and billion. Over time, her responsibilities expanded, eventually leading her to supervise the administration group.  

It was an SAP user’s conference that led her to IT. “I went with some of the ladies that had trained me on how to use SAP, and they were so nice and welcoming,” Susan recalls. This warm introduction led her to become a specialist in SAP’s service management module, as well as HR, payroll and plant maintenance systems. Today, Susan’s work shows that IT serves as the backbone of critical business processes.

Shefali joined Tremco in 1998 and she began her career as a developer, quickly diving into roofing-specific applications. Over time, she transitioned to supporting Weatherproofing Technologies Incorporated (WTI) and became a core member of the SAP team. Reflecting on her experience, Shefali shares, “A lot of folks in IT believe that what you’re doing in IT is just your job, but that wasn’t the approach at Tremco. We care about what is happening in the business, not just about having the fanciest tools and technology.” For her, the most fulfilling part of her role is the tangibility of her contributions: “We do stuff that I can go look at and point to other people and say, ‘Hey, this is what my company does, and I get to be part of this.’”

Both Susan and Shefali attribute their long tenures at Tremco to the company’s dynamic environment and strong sense of community. Susan shares, “I always thought I’d never stay someplace longer than three years because I got bored. There’s never been a time at Tremco where I’ve been bored or stuck. There’s always a new opportunity, a new project or a new challenge.”

For Shefali, the appeal lies in the problem-solving nature of her work and the relationships she’s built over the years. “It’s ever-changing and ever-growing. At the end of the day, I want to feel like I’ve made someone’s job, someone’s life better. And I have that opportunity every day,” she explains.

Both employees also emphasize the feeling of family at Tremco, particularly within the roofing division. This sense of camaraderie and mutual respect fosters a collaborative environment where innovation and personal growth thrive.

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about the contributions of IT professionals in creating a lasting impact on businesses.