The Century-Old History of the FRSA

By Adam Cabrera. 

Since its inception in 1922, the FRSA has stood as a bedrock institution in the roofing industry.  

With the recent Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association’s (FRSA) 101st Annual Convention which happened in July, the organization looks to build on its storied history to drive the sector forward. In a recent Roofing Road Trip episode, host Megan Ellsworth sits down with Matt Chriswell and Lisa Pate of the FRSA to talk about the long history of the association and what they are doing to support the industry. 

FRSA was founded by 12 contractors in Daytona Beach who convened to tackle pressing issues like workers' compensation, unethical practices and union challenges. "Last year was our 100th anniversary... Some of those issues were ones that we still talk about today," said Matt, the current president of FRSA and contractor for Weather Shield Roofing Group. 

Over the past century, the association has evolved into the largest regional trade association in the roofing industry. Executive Director Lisa, who's spent 38 years with FRSA, emphasized its legacy in the southeast: "We are the largest regional and the longest-running regional show." 

The organization’s mandate extends well beyond mere networking and education. It has been pivotal in legislative and building code matters, pushing for policies that are favorable to businesses. FRSA also educates consumers on the importance of doing business with licensed and insured roofing professionals. "We make sure that change is enacted so that each one of those Florida roofing contractors can abide by that," added Matt. 

Among FRSA’s notable achievements are a hefty endowment fund, a credit union for roofing contractors, and a debt-free training center. "Our building also has a training center... it's a very good benefit for the industry," Lisa noted.  

Closing with a note of optimism, Matt expressed confidence in FRSA’s future: "I have no doubt in my mind that [FRSA] gets either stronger or better in any capacity." With a century of service behind them and a commitment to industry betterment, FRSA aims to continue being the go-to resource for roofing professionals for another 100 years. 

Listen to the Roofing Road Trips episode or read the transcript to learn more about the FRSA and how you can get involved with the organization.