Seeding the Future: The Davis Memorial Foundation Gives the Industry Hope

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.  

Chairman of the Davis Memorial Foundation, Chuck Chapman shares how rewarding it is investing in the education of the future generation of construction. 

In a new Roofing Road Trips, Heidi J. Ellsworth travels to Arizona to visit with fellow Davis Memorial Trustee, Chuck Chapman.   

Chuck works for Tecta America in Arizona and has been in the roofing industry for 40 years. "I love this industry and am really passionate about it,” says Chuck. “I love to be able to give back to an industry that has given so much to me and my family. Working with the Davis Foundation is probably one of the best ways I can think of to give back to the industry that has done so much for me.” 

As chairman of the foundation, Chuck has been involved with the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and Davis Memorial Foundation for close to two decades. His passion for the industry extends to raising funds for scholarships for college and vocational students who will become the future of the roofing industry.  

The foundation has grown significantly since it became fully incorporated in 1997. “We are very proud to say that with our recent award of 10 additional scholarships in 2022 for another grand total of $50,000, we are now up to 160 scholarships awarded for over $700,000 over the last 25 years. That's pretty darn amazing,” says Chuck. “All it really takes is more people donating. The more money we get in, the more money we can give out.” 

These scholarships are not only life-changing for the recipients, but are a transformative and humbling experience for the board of trustees reading them. Chuck and Heidi both discuss how much hope for the future they have based on these applications alone. “Reading and learning about the young people that are applying for the scholarships and seeing their vision, seeing the things that they have done and the things that they're going to do, it really helps because it says, ‘Okay, well, you know what? We're not in as bad as shape as I thought we were.’" 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about the David Memorial Foundation Scholarship program and Chuck’s plans for the 2022 plans to raise funds for these important scholarships. 

Learn more about the WSRCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.wsrca.com.