Leave your mark on the industry

By Emma Peterson. 

How participating in associations like the Roofing Alliance gives professionals a chance to build a legacy. 

From providing broader industry advocacy on a national level to providing individual contractors with the resources they need to succeed, trade associations are invaluable resources. A prime example of one of these invaluable organizations is the Roofing Alliance. To learn more about what this foundation does for the industry, Trent Cotney, a partner and the construction team lead at Adams and Reese law firm, came by for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®.  

Trent is the perfect person to talk to about this, as he is both Roofing Alliance’s legal counsel and their parent association, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s general counsel. He opened by sharing some background on Roofing Alliance:  

The Roofing Alliance is NRCA's foundation, but operates as its own entity. It has existed for almost 30 years, and over the years, it has been instrumental in charitable efforts like providing free roofs and repairs to Ronald McDonald houses nationwide. They also work to support the roofing industry, specifically with education and research. 

Their educational support often comes in the form of scholarships and their research is usually focused on critical economic and technical challenges facing the roofing market. And they have made a huge impact in both areas, reporting that their “members have invested [and raised] over $16 million to fund transformative research, educational initiatives and scholarships, all dedicated to enhancing industry performance and long-term success.” 

At the end of the day, the work that the Roofing Alliance has done not only supports professionals in the industry today but also our future tradespeople. “The Alliances is so valuable. Not only is it a great opportunity to meet your peers in the industry, but it’s a great way to give back to the industry,” he shared. “Personal career and financial success are great, but when I think about when I'm dead and gone, I want to have left a positive mark on the world. I want to have done what I can to give back and to help. And groups like Roofing Alliance are the way I feel like I am doing that.” 

Listen to the whole podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about the Roofing Alliance and its invaluable work in the roofing industry.