Celebrating our 2026 Roofing Day in D.C. winner

By Dani Sheehan. 

One contractor’s voice is about to help shape the future of roofing on Capitol Hill. 

Every day, roofing professionals show up to protect what matters most: homes, businesses and communities across the country. Once a year, a select group takes this commitment one step further, bringing their voice directly to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the future of our industry. This year, thanks to a partnership between The Coffee Shops™ and Elevate™, one dedicated professional earned the opportunity to attend. We’re proud to celebrate our 2026 Roofing Day in D.C. winner, Dean Ritchie. 

Dean will be heading to Washington D.C., this April 14-15 with members of The Coffee Shops to participate in Roofing Day to join fellow contractors and industry leaders from across the country. There, he’ll help represent voices of roofing professionals on key issues like workforce development and affordable housing, conversations that directly impact the future of the trade. 

Dean, the president of operations at FPS Roofing, brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience to the industry, with a background that spans installation, repair, inspection and estimating. Over the course of his career, he has developed a deep, well-rounded understanding of roofing systems from both the field and operational perspectives, making him a trusted leader and resource for his team and customers alike. His longevity in the industry reflects not only technical expertise, but a continued commitment to quality workmanship and delivering dependable results. 

Creating opportunity through advocacy 

The Roofing Day in D.C. contest was designed to make sure voices like Dean’s are part of the conversation. Open to roofing professionals across the country, from business owners to crew members in the field, the initiative invited participants to share why they wanted to attend. As this year’s winner, Dean’s trip is fully covered, including airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, a special dinner with Elevate and The Coffee Shops and an exclusive tour experience. 

Advocacy isn’t just for executives or association leaders. It’s strongest when it reflects the full spectrum of the workforce, especially those with decades of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to keep projects moving and customers protected. 

As Dean prepares to advocate with his peers on Capitol Hill, he represents the crews on rooftops, the small business owners navigating challenges and the next generation of professionals entering the trade. As he shared, “I am honored to be chosen for Roofing Day in Washington D.C. to represent the roofing industries.” 

We are grateful we can play a part in helping send Dean to Washington, D.C., and even more excited to see the impact of his voice in action. Congratulations, Dean!