By Emma Peterson. 

Solve business issues with innovative management strategies like fractional executive placement. 

In 2024, Forbes Business Review contributor James Nelson wrote, “In a world that often seems saturated with industries and players, it might seem hard to stand out from the rest. While building an A level team and managing your time well may be a great start to high performance, there can also be benefits from thinking outside the box. If you take on this mindset, it could help you move to a new level in your profession and business.” But what does this out-of-the-box thinking actually look like in 2026? To find out, we hosted Kristen McAlister, the owner of Cerius Executives, for an episode of Contractor Outlook™.  

Through her work with Cerius, Kristen uses over three decades of business experience to empower professionals with practical strategies and tools needed to succeed in the long term. In her own words, she helps people “set aside titles and job descriptions so that they can really see what your company’s current problems and challenges are. Once that is done, then we help you find the right solution.” 

Cerius specializes in fractional executive placement. This is the innovative business practice of temporarily placing experienced executives into high-level positions like CEO and CFO. By doing this, companies can get crucial insights about high-level strategy and leadership without the cost of hiring a high-level executive full-time.  Kristen explained, “The whole idea is really matchmaking. We start with your company by identifying what you need. Then we find an executive that is an expert in solving that who will get your company unstuck and back to growing.” 

While this might seem a bit out-of-the-box when it comes to business strategies, it works. Kristen shared an example:  

One of my favorite stories is about an engineering construction client. His business was struggling and he was worried because he had issues in the past. A couple decades ago he had to file for bankruptcy. So, we connected him with a CFO who worked just 10 hours a month with him. And once he had that individual there, they did start whiteboarding and were able to see that the job costing was off. That’s where the problem was and from there, he was able to adjust and avoid the trap he fell into 20 years ago.  

Listen to the episode or Watch the recording to learn more about Kristen, Cerius and how they help professionals boost their businesses by thinking outside of the box.  

Por Jenny Yu, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

El 17.º Proyecto Anual de Servicio Comunitario reunió a 30 voluntarios para ayudar a residentes necesitados de Las Vegas. 

Antes de que expositores y asistentes llenaran el piso de exhibición de la International Roofing Expo, 30 voluntarios se reunieron el lunes 19 de enero de 2026 para participar en el 17.º Proyecto Anual de Servicio Comunitario del evento. 

En colaboración con la organización sin fines de lucro Rebuilding Together — Southern Nevada y con el patrocinio de líderes de la industria como Sika Corporation y GAF, el Día de Servicio Comunitario de este año brindó a los asistentes la oportunidad de retribuir a la comunidad local donando su tiempo para reparar las viviendas de dos residentes de bajos ingresos de Las Vegas. 

“Donamos $15,000 para ayudar a pagar todos los materiales de construcción y la mano de obra de Rebuilding Together,” dijo Bill Bellico, vicepresidente de Sika, a KLAS 8 News Now. 

La primera propietaria beneficiada fue Minnie Davis, de 78 años. Minnie ha sido dueña de su casa desde 1985, pero tras el fallecimiento de su esposo Bob en octubre de 2025, mantener la propiedad se volvió demasiado difícil física y económicamente. Los voluntarios de IRE se ofrecieron para pintar paredes, reparar puertas y limpiar el patio, ganándose la gratitud de Minnie. 

“Es abrumador ver a toda esta gente cuidándome,” expresó Minnie. “¡Si pudiera, les daría un millón de dólares a todos por ayudarme!” 

Los voluntarios también colaboraron con reparaciones y limpieza del patio de una pareja de 73 años con bajos ingresos, quienes han sido propietarios de su hogar durante 20 años y han tenido dificultades para mantenerlo debido a su edad avanzada y limitaciones financieras. 

En general, el Día de Servicio Comunitario de IRE fue una jornada de ayuda y unión dentro de la industria, preparando el terreno para una experiencia exitosa en la conferencia. “Es un día realmente gratificante, porque reúnes a personas de toda la industria y creas lazos más fuertes dentro de la comunidad,” compartió Bill. 

Fuente de la imagen: International Roofing Expo

By Emma Peterson. 

NFRC’s support of the future of roofing through the SkillBuild National Competition.  

National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has long been a supporter SkillBuild. This is a competition that sees roofing apprentices and trainees put their talent to the test in a head-to-head contest of skills, grit and determination. The event starts with regional qualifiers in training centres and colleges across the UK. 

This part of the 2026 competition is happening now, with the first regional qualifier having been held at Langley Training Services on 26 March 2026. Subsequent qualifiers will be held or have been held at Dundee & Angus College, Exeter College, Newcastle College, Leeds College of Building and Coleg Cambria. These competitions will host more than 1,100 competitors from 223 different organisations, whittling the competitors down to a remaining eight finalists! 

These finalists will go to the SkillBuild National Final, a three-day competition that tasks participants with completing a tiled section with arris hips and valley tiles, followed by a slated section with lead ridge and the addition of solar mounting brackets for an additional challenge. Finalists had a total of 18 hours to complete the task, meaning composure and determination is key. As NFRC’s Ben Rowlands explained:  

It’s never easy for the competitors to face each other in the finals. They’re not only up against one another, knowing the talent it takes to get there, but they’re up against the clock and their own nerves. Staying motivated, determined and composed is easy said, but when it’s all eyes on you, the pressure mounts quickly. 

As for scoring, every component of the project thoroughly inspected by expert judges. The workmanship is measured to the millimetre, and tiny variances will make all the difference in who takes the title home. 

Last year, the results of the 2025 final saw Samuel Jinks (Leeds College of Building), Levente Szasz (Leeds College of Building) and Mark Knight (SIMIAN) take the podium in gold, silver and bronze respectively. In addition to their medals, Master Alan Dodd of the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers presented each winner with a copy of The Design and Installation Guide for Roof Tiling: the perfect reference guide for these young roofers in their journey forward. 

NFRC is delighted to have played a key role in the 2025 event, which would not be possible without the generous sponsorship from its supplier members SIG Roofing, SR Timber and Glidevale Protect, and looks forward to continuing to support the SkillBuild competition this year! 

Original article and photo source: NFRC

By Jenny Yu.  

An experienced tradesperson explains how real-world experience led to a better way to organize tools with Veto Pro Pac. 

Frustration on the jobsite often sparks innovation, and for Roger Brouard, that frustration led to the creation of one of the most recognized tool storage brands in the trades. In a recent RoofingRoadTrips® episode, Karen Edwards spoke with Roger about how his experience as a carpenter led to the creation and founding of Veto Pro Pac.

“Veto Pro Pac tool bags basically came out of my frustration with soft side tool bags,” Roger said, describing the “horizontal wrestling match” that made contractors’ lives needlessly inefficient. “You’d dump everything on the ground and dig through it; it was an exercise of aggravation and frustration to get a needed hand tool.” 

Drawing from years in the field — from hand framing and roofing to building wooden lobster boats — Roger combined hands-on trade knowledge with a background in fine arts to rethink tool storage. His breakthrough came with a vertical layout system. “This was the aha moment: all the vertical tiered pockets are on a flat panel,” he said. “It’s ergonomic to your body, and you have a nice, beefy grip.” 

Durability was equally critical in the Veto Pro Pac design. Roger emphasized that jobsite conditions demand rugged solutions. “I wanted to make the bag brutally tough,” he said, noting that harsh environments and heavy use require materials that resist wear and while providing a sturdy structure. “A plastic base solved three situations: moisture protection, wear and tear protection, and stability to a loaded tool bag.” 

Finally, having a fine arts degree, Roger wanted his bag to look good, too. “I wanted it to have a serious, rugged yet classy look,” he said, explaining the earthtone color palette of the product.  

This blend of practical, artistic design and jobsite insight shaped Veto Pro Pac to be the trusted tool bag for contractors today. Now a part of The Malco Group, Veto Pro Pac can further expand its reach to bring solutions to more contractors, reflecting a shared focus on improving efficiency. 

Roger’s road to developing Veto Pro Pac underscores how curiosity and a willingness to solve problems can lead to meaningful innovation. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about Roger and his journey to building Veto Pro Pac. 

By Emma Peterson. 

How technology is changing the homeowner purchasing process and reshaping contractor marketing strategies. 

In a new Read Listen Watch® (RLW), Megan Ellsworth sat down with Dan Shurtz of Aletheia Digital and Nick Knellinger of Eagleview for a conversation about how innovative tech solutions can help you manage evolving home and business owner expectations. Aletheia Digital is a marketing company that focuses on helping contractors in maximizing website design, SEO optimization, lead acquisition and brand management.  

Dan opened the conversation by sharing some insight into how home and business owner expectations have shifted recently:  

Homeowners are getting a lot more comfortable with technology and looking for more transparency when it comes to purchases... Additionally, we’ve also seen data that's indicating as many as 60-80% of people prefer to have a salesperson-less experience. And to be clear, this data isn’t saying the job of sales is going away, but it is showing independence in homeowners to do their own research and have more control in the process. 

Because of this shift in expectations, with homeowners no longer expecting a salesperson to present everything and instead seeking out information themselves, contractors need to start changing the way they market and sell to clients.  

For example, SEO (search engine optimization) and AEO (answer engine optimization) are huge sources of lead generation. Dan shared a bit about these two tools, saying, “SEO is familiar; roofers are used to seeing Google and other search engines as lead sources. As for AEO, many contractors aren’t accustomed to seeing ChatGPT or other AI chatbots as lead sources...But the truth is that 37% of all homeowner searches now start with an AI platform and then verify it using traditional search engines (SEO still drives 35 times more traffic than AI engines do).”  

The result of this is that contractors need to shift where their marketing budgets go. Dan explained, “Your truck wraps and your yard signs and your outdoor billboards, they are becoming less important as your online presence – think your website, your Google business profile, your YouTube channel, your social media platforms, etc.” 

One recommendation for contractors looking to shift their budgets is to invest in online, quick quoting tools. Nick explained, “A quick quoting tool on your website can be key. A lot of consumers looking for control over the roofing process will be directed to that and by seeing numbers about their actual roof, you build a lot of trust.” For example, investing in something like QuickQuote, which is powered by Eagleview’s data, is a great way to get high value leads even as homeowner expectations change.  

Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about using innovative digital tools to meet evolving client expectations. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Exploring daylighting strategies that improve energy performance, occupant comfort and installation efficiency in metal construction. 

In an upcoming Read Listen Watch® (RLW), Karen Edwards meets with Brian Grohe of VELUX® to talk about how daylighting is reshaping performance in modern metal buildings. The conversation, recorded live from the MBCEA 2026 show, explores how integrating natural light into metal structures is changing both performance expectations and occupant experience. 

As metal buildings continue to evolve, daylighting is becoming a central design consideration rather than a secondary feature. Owners and developers are placing greater emphasis on energy efficiency, occupant comfort and long-term building value, making daylighting systems a critical component in modern construction. Understanding how these systems perform and how to implement them effectively can directly impact project success. 

Brian brings deep expertise to the discussion, with a focus on advancing daylighting systems beyond traditional skylight installations. The conversation will highlight how solutions have progressed into fully integrated systems that influence energy use, indoor climate and overall building performance. 

Attendees will gain a clear understanding of where daylighting delivers the most impact, from warehouses and offices to corridors and large-span structures. The conversation will also cover key technical considerations, including managing heat and glare, integrating ventilation and improving long-term performance with advanced components like blinds and sensors. Contractors will also learn how simplified, ready-to-install systems can reduce labor demands, streamline installation and support faster dry-in timelines. 

If improving efficiency, expanding project scope and staying competitive are priorities, this is a conversation worth attending. Join Karen Edwards and Brian Grohe of VELUX on April 22, 2026, to learn more about daylighting in modern metal buildings. 

Register for this RLW and start applying strategies that improve building performance, occupant experience and overall project value!

By Jenny Yu.  

In a time of increasingly complex federal and state regulations, MCA is preparing new resources and partnerships to strengthen the industry. 

During this episode of MetalCast™, Karen Edwards spoke with Jeff Henry, executive director of the Metal Construction Association (MCA), about MCA’s Winter Meeting and the initiatives the association is developing to support industry growth.  

One major focus is education for professionals entering the metal construction sector. “We're developing an education program for people that are new to the industry,” Jeff shared. “What are the basic things they need to understand — substrates that are used, when do you use what, the different roles that people play in the industry. It’s a soup-to-nuts approach, a metal 101 curriculum.” Segments of the program are expected to roll out in 2026. 

At the same time, MCA is looking to expand its market development activities. According to Jeff, the organization recently completed an agency review and is bringing on a marketing firm to expand their impact. “That’s our purpose: to advance the use of metal in the building envelope,” Jeff said. “We intend to grow and expand our impact and our educational efforts to our key constituents and stakeholders and those who make decisions about what products are used in their projects.” 

Furthermore, MCA is strengthening collaboration across the industry. They recently hosted an executive forum that brought together 10 trade associations to discuss common interests, goals and opportunities. “We have an opportunity to come together and have greater collaboration and impact as one entity rather than 10 individual programs,” Jeff stated. “We plan to hold that conference twice a year, and we’ve already identified a couple initiatives.” 

Among these initiatives is paying closer attention to government relations as regulatory activity increases and becomes more complex at the state level. “It's kind of the Wild West at the moment,” Jeff said. “It's important to be informed when there's new legislation or regulatory issues that are being proposed so that the experts can have voice in that process and influence outcomes. 

Read the first article in this series, Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about MCA’s priorities and how the association plans to support the metal construction industry in 2026.

By Emma Peterson. 

Robotics and automation are coming to the jobsite. Are you prepared?  

Robotics and automation have long been a part of manufacturing processes. But where these two pieces of technology have historically played behind-the-scenes roles, that norm is quickly changing. Both in our personal and professional lives, we are seeing the integration of robotics and automations, whether that’s a robot bartender in Las Vegas or a delivery robot on a college campus. With this shift into day-to-day uses, it’s not hard to imagine how these technologies will be introduced into other roles, such as on the jobsite. 

To learn more about robotics and automation, and how they might influence the construction industry, Karen Edwards will be hosting a Read Listen Watch® (RLW) with John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group about the topic on May 21, 2026.  

John is the perfect guest for this conversation as he comes with over 45 years of experience in the roofing and construction industries. He started his career as a laborer in a family-run construction business and eventually worked up to being a COO of a commercial contracting firm. Today, John is CEO and co-founder of Cotney Consulting Group; a board member of Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3); an active part of the National Women in Roofing (NWIR)’s membership committee; and a member of countless other international and national technical associations.  

Each of these experiences have granted him insights into the roles technology has and will continue to play across the building envelope and the trades. From changing the ways businesses operate to how contractors can begin familiarizing themselves with the evolving robotic and automation developments without disrupting crews or culture, he has great advice for navigating these changes. 

The conversation will take on this topic that is often mired in fear and speculation, instead approaching it with an outlook that centers on the importance of awareness and preparation. John and Karen will not only discuss the emergence of new robotics and automations but also dive into how contractors can prepare their operations for the changes these tools bring.  

Want to learn more about how robotics will work in the world of roofing? Tune into the live Read Listen Watch® (RLW) on May 21, 2026! Register to save your spot.  

By Jenny Yu. 

Renoworks Pro helps contractors present design options and pricing in one seamless experience. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards spoke with Jenni McMorran of Renoworks to discuss how Renoworks Pro’s Instant Estimator is helping contractors present designs and pricing together to streamline the sales process and improve closing rates.  

Within the platform, contractors can generate a design report that showcases multiple product and color options alongside pricing tiers. “In the visualizer, it has a design report which allows the contractor to create different versions of that design,” Jenni explained. “Within that design report, they can now have a design with a ‘good’ price, a design with a ‘better’ price and a design with the ‘best’ price.” The report can be emailed, printed or shared digitally, allowing for quick and easy proposals.  

Alongside the convenience and flexibility these reports offer, accuracy has been a key focus in the design of the tool. Powered by Eagleview data, the tool delivers measurements that Jenni said are highly reliable. “From our internal testing, we found it’s no more than 3 to 5% off, so around 95% accurate,” she said, noting contractors can also pull a more detailed measurement report within the platform if needed. 

Designed to integrate into any contractor’s existing workflow, the instant estimate is generated in less than a minute, helping contractors close deals in one call. “You can show the design, talk through the materials and give that price all in that same visit,” Jenni said. For contractors that use a two-call close, the instant estimator can help build trust and confidence. “It can help set expectations early, so instead of the homeowner sitting in suspense, they get a realistic sense of what things might cost. That way, the final quote isn't a shock. It's a continuation of that conversation.” 

Looking ahead, Renoworks plans to expand its reach beyond the roof. “We’re working on expanding the feature to cover the entire exterior of the home,” Jenni shared. “Our goal is to give contractors a way to price out the full renovation project in real time while they’re sitting with the homeowner.” 

Read the first article in this series and Listen to the podcast to learn more about Renoworks Pro’s Instant Estimator.

Por Alberto Torres. 

El valor de las certificaciones y la capacitación continua en el desarrollo de negocios más sólidos. 

Durante este episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, grabado en vivo en Miami en el evento Business Building Workshop (BBW), tuve el placer de conversar con Ana María Pulido, gerente del programa Contractors Edge en español y Víctor Alfonso Wipio, dueño de Monarch Roofing and Construction, sobre un tema clave para la industria del roofing: cómo la educación y las certificaciones de CertainTeed están ayudando a los contratistas latinos a crecer con más estructura y confianza. “Hay un miedo de aventarse al vacío,” explicó Ana. “Por eso nos enfocamos en educación y en entender exactamente qué necesitan los contratistas.” 

Para Víctor, el camino comenzó como el de muchos en la industria: trabajo constante, aprendizaje en el día a día y el objetivo de construir algo propio. “Es una lucha, es un riesgo, pero con el apoyo correcto se puede lograr,” compartió. “Nadie lo hace solo.” Con el tiempo, entendió que crecer no se trata solo de trabajar más, sino de trabajar mejor. Ahí es donde la capacitación y las certificaciones entraron en juego. Víctor explicó que una de las claves fue dejar de intentar hacer todo y comenzar a especializarse. Ese enfoque le permitió ofrecer un mejor servicio y comunicar con más claridad el valor de su trabajo a los clientes. “A veces le tiramos a todo y no le pegamos a nada,” comentó, resaltando la importancia de definir metas claras. 

Desde el lado de Ana, el enfoque está en crear herramientas que ayuden a los contratistas a profesionalizar sus negocios. A través de Contractors Edge, su trabajo ha sido llevar educación accesible en español, con entrenamientos diseñados para mejorar tanto la instalación como la forma en que los contratistas manejan su negocio. “Queremos que sepan cómo instalar correctamente para que no haya desperdicio y el contratista no pierda dinero,” explicó. “No queremos adivinar. Les preguntamos a los contratistas directamente qué necesitan y qué podemos hacer mejor.” 

Pero más allá de la técnica, Ana enfatizó el impacto de las credenciales en la percepción del cliente. Cuando un contratista entiende el producto, las garantías y los procesos, puede comunicar con mayor seguridad y posicionarse como un profesional confiable. “Si no entiendo el producto o la garantía, no lo puedo vender,” explicó Víctor. “Cuando entiendes, entras con más seguridad con el cliente.” Esa combinación de experiencia en campo y formación continua es lo que está impulsando a muchos contratistas a dar el siguiente paso. 

La conversación también dejó claro que la industria está evolucionando hacia una mentalidad más colaborativa. Espacios como estos eventos permiten que los contratistas compartan experiencias, retos y soluciones. Ana lo resumió así: “Queremos crear comunidad, no solo competencia.” 

Para quienes están en ese proceso, el mensaje es claro. Aprender, especializarse y aprovechar las herramientas disponibles puede cambiar no solo la manera en que operan, sino también cómo son percibidos en la industria. 

Al final, esta industria no solo se trata de trabajo. Se trata de relaciones, confianza y crecimiento conjunto. 

Escuchar o ver el video de este episodio para descubrir más de la experiencia y consejos para contratistas.