By Emma Peterson. 

Meet the 12 lucky dogs that will be featured on TRI-BUILT's 2026 calendar. 

Every year, TRI-BUILT hosts a contest looking for the "Top Dogs” of the roofing world. Their team then chooses 12 fetching pups who receive $1,000 to donate to a local rescue of their choice and get featured in the TRI-BUILT annual calendar. Here are this year’s winners that will be gracing a calendar near you!  

January – Tater  

Tater’s human, Zak from Bliss Roofing, shared this with about this adorable dogger, “Tater (as in an Idaho Po-Tater) loves the water, lives for a good game of fetch and has yet to meet a person he couldn’t charm into giving him a belly rub.” 

February – Willa  

As for Willa, she’ll be on your wall in the colder February weeks, which is perfect for this snow-loving pup! Her human is Brennan from CAWC Waterproofing in California.  

March – Maverick  

Maverick, nominated by Leah from Garco Construction, is an adorable little nine-month-old Chocolate Lab. Leah described him as “the best listener and who LOVES to hold socks in his mouth” and “very instinctive when it comes to bird hunting.” 

April – Riley  

Nominated by Jackson of Cranford Contractors Inc, Riley is an adventuring and working lab. Jackson shared, “She comes to work with me every day whether it means hanging in the office or going to jobsites with me.” 

May – Oliver  

Oliver, who just turned one, is a bundle of fun! This pupper loves a good game of tug, playing with kids and, as you can see, all balls belong to Oli! Oliver was nominated by Nicole from Preferred RFG in New York.  

June – Charlie  

This stylish dog is Charlie, and he is ready for anything! His human, Jennifer of Harding Builders Inc, told TRI-BUILT, “He's super athletic and can catch a frisbee like no one's business. He runs fast, jumps high and plays hard. He's a high-performance, action dog.” 

July – Morrison  

We can all hope to be like Morrison this July, chilling on a boat! When he’s not enjoying a cruise, this 14-year-old West Highland Terrier is staying active. Nick and Kendra of Huckle Exteriors Inc, shared some of his adventures, saying, “He loves to go for walks, play ball, pizza night and going for Culvers custard in the truck!” 

August – Jax  

Jax is still a puppy at four-months-old, but he’s already working as a greeter at the Smith & Sons Lumber and is a treasured part of Becki’s family. In fact, his name holds a special place in their hearts, as Becki explained, “My oldest son named him after our second son, Wyatt Jackson, who passed away December 28, 2024, at the age of 21.” 

September – ESPN  

ESPN lives up to her name with all the puppy excitement! Her human, Spencer from First Out Roofing, sent this note in with her picture: “She was rescued from an abandoned barn in Garland, but now she’s living the highlight reel! Named after the sports channel because she’s full of energy, personality and always keeps things exciting.” 

October – Seven  

It might be the tenth month, but Seven is the star of October! Submitted by Viya from ADCO Roofing & Waterproofing, he’s a brave, intelligent and curious Vizsla pup! Viya had this to share about Seven’s story: “He had seven other brothers in his litter all nicknamed after famous western films. Named for ‘The Magnificent Seven,’ he also was nicknamed the ‘escape artist’ by his breeder and the ‘gangster’ by his doggy daycare.” 

November – Maddy 

As for Maddy, this five-year-old Labrador Retriever might not be as rambunctious as some of these pups, but she’s the best coworker you could ask for. Mark of F&F Roofing shared about how she helps around the office, syaing, “She has been coming to work every day since she was a baby. She enjoys sitting in a chair and estimating when she's not causing trouble around the office.” 

December – Banjo  

And last but certainly not least, Banjo will be closing out the 2026 calendar. His human, Jeff of Sexton Roofing & Siding, shared a little about this handsome pup, saying, “Banjo is all drive and heart — a true symbol of the TRI-BUILT spirit. Whether he’s racing through the fields with laser focus or keeping a close eye on the job site, his energy, intelligence and loyalty never quit.” 

Learn more about each of these dogs!

By WSRCA.

These individuals volunteer their time to make membership with WSRCA a worthwhile investment, and the roofing community a better place!

For decades, the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) has served the roofing industry through sharing education, creating spaces for communication, hosting the Western Roofing Expo and more. All of these initiatives and programs are made possible through the support of our members and the work of the volunteers that make up our officers and board of directors. To highlight the incredible people who are dedicating their time to make our organization and industry a better place, we wanted to introduce them to you! 

WSRCA officers

• President: Stan Robinson, Pacific West Roofing LLC
• Senior vice president: Ron Lloyd, Kokua Roofing Service
• Immediate former president: Kris Hitesman, Capitol Roofing Service
• Vice president - 1 year: Hillary McPartlon, McPartlon Roofing
• Vice president - 1 year: Austin Barnhardt, Quality Roofing and Sheet Metal
• Vice president - 2 years: Stephanie Baird, Bliss Roofing, Inc.
• Vice president - 2 years: Scott Riopelle, Interstate Roofing
• Executive director: Joel B. Viera, Western States RCA

WSRCA board of directors

WSRCA committees

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

This 2025 MVP winner has earned a reputation as a dependable professional and an exceptional leader who inspires those around him.

The Roofing Alliance’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards are among the most prestigious honors in the roofing industry. The program honors dedicated and reliable employees who are vital to a company’s success. These individuals consistently demonstrate a strong work ethic combined with leadership, initiative and resourcefulness. They maintain an outstanding safety record while supporting their coworkers and going above and beyond their daily responsibilities. Each year these awards recognize roofing professionals who lead with integrity, dedication and compassion both at work and in their communities. 

This year’s winner in Outstanding Performance and Leadership is Alex Garcia, superintendent at Bliss Roofing Inc. in Clackamas, Oregon. With more than 25 years of experience in the roofing industry, Alex has earned a reputation as a dependable professional and an exceptional leader who inspires those around him. His unwavering dedication, positive attitude and focus on safety and quality have made him a valued asset to his company and a respected figure on job sites across the region. 

Alex began his career as a crew member working his way up to crew leader. In 2022 he was promoted to job site superintendent. The promotion made clear just how essential Alex is to Bliss Roofing. As one colleague shared, “I didn’t even realize how much his position, rather, Alex himself, was needed.” Serving as the bridge between production and management, Alex ensures every project is completed safely, efficiently and to the highest standard. 

Coworkers consistently highlight his leadership and character. “He’ll do anything you ask him to do with a smile on his face,” said one teammate. Another noted, “He makes it easy for the estimators and project management because of his attention to detail.” Whether he is training crews on safety protocols or solving everyday job site issues, Alex is always ready to lead and support his fellow employees. 

His leadership is grounded in trust and teamwork. He is respected not only for his technical knowledge and skills but also for his genuine care for others. Alex continually works to improve performance and quality; he also brings a level of energy that motivates those around him. One colleague put it simply, “He’s the key to improving production and quality.” 

Alex’s personality shines just as brightly as his professionalism. Always smiling and willing to help, he creates a sense of camaraderie that helps the team thrive. One crew member reflected on the strong lasting relationships Alex builds with his team and joked, “25 years together, that’s more than most marriages." Alex is more than a superintendent. He is a true role model. His leadership, integrity and positive spirit set the standard for others. His impact is felt every day by those lucky enough to work alongside him. 

If someone like Alex is part of your team now is the time to honor them. The 2025-2026 Roofing Alliance MVP Awards are now open for nominations. The Outstanding Performance and Leadership category recognizes employees with strong work ethic, safety focus, initiative and the ability to inspire their coworkers. The Outstanding Community Involvement category honors those who dedicate their time and energy to bettering their communities through service and compassion. 

Nominations are due by Friday September 5, 2025. Visit the Roofing Alliance MVP page to learn more and submit your nomination. 

Four Seasons Kanga Roof recognized for charitable work after raising $250,000 to fund the Evan Vaillancourt, Army Specialist, Legacy Fund Scholarship.

The National Roofing Contractors Association and CNA, Chicago, have announced Four Seasons Kanga Roof, Roseville, Michigan, as the grand-prize winner of the CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award for its charitable efforts with the Evan Vaillancourt, Army Specialist, Legacy Fund Scholarship. The award honors charitable works performed by NRCA contractor members between January 1, 2024, and November 24, 2024.

Four Seasons Kanga Roof raised money for a scholarship after Evan Vaillancourt, an Army specialist, passed away suddenly while on active duty, leaving his wife and their 1-year-old son behind. Vaillancourt’s older brother, Mason, is a member of the Four Seasons Kanga Roof sales team. Employees raised $250,000 to fund the scholarship, which will be awarded annually. CNA awarded Four Seasons Kanga Roof with $7,500 for the scholarship.

The second-place winner was Bliss Roofing, Clackamas, Oregon, for its charitable efforts with Catalyst Partnerships. After learning Catalyst Partnerships received eight submissions from community members in need of new roofs but could fund only five, Bliss Roofing donated a roof to one of the runners-up. CNA awarded Bliss Roofing with $5,000 for its charity.

The third-place winner was Korellis, Hammond, Indiana, for its work with The Blind Social Center. Korellis donated labor and materials required to install a 4,700-square-foot roof system on the organization’s facility. CNA awarded Korellis with $2,500 for its charity.

The first, second and third-place awards were presented February 20 at the NRCA 2025 Industry Awards Ceremony in San Antonio. 

For more information about the CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award, contact Madison Mahoney, NRCA’s social media manager, at (847) 493-7548 or communityservice@nrca.net.

About the NRCA

Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America’s families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of our members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit nrca.net.

Most Valuable Player, Best of the Best and Student Competition award winners were all recognized.

The Roofing Alliance proudly announces this year’s winners of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, Best of the Best Award and the Construction Management Student Competition winners who were recognized at NRCA’s Industry Awards and Reception held during the International Roofing Expo in San Antonio on February 20, 2025.

Most Valuable Player Awards

In the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards’ 25th year, six finalists were recognized for their outstanding performance and leadership or outstanding community involvement. This year’s winners are:

Alex Garcia – Outstanding Performance and Leadership, Superintendent, Bliss Roofing Inc., Clackamas, Oregon. From ground crew to superintendent, Alex’s 30-year journey reflects dedication, expertise and mentorship. A skilled problem-solver and leader, he inspires co-workers and young roofers alike, embodying the true spirit of an MVP.

Cliff Johnson – Outstanding Community Involvement, Driver, Beacon Building Products, Rochester, Minnesota. Since 2017, Cliff has been a driving force in safety, training and community outreach. Whether training fellow drivers, championing safety initiatives or mentoring others, his leadership and dedication make him an invaluable MVP on and off the job.

Best of the Best Award

The MVP Program goes a step further with one of the MVP winners being named the Best of the Best winner. The Best of the Best award is an honor co-sponsored by OMG Roofing Products and Professional Roofing magazine.

This year’s winner is Angel Arroyo, Superintendent, Raincoat Roofing Systems Inc., Broadview, Illinois. A 38-year industry veteran, Angel is a problem-solver, mentor and leader known for turning complex challenges into seamless solutions. His expertise, humility and commitment to teamwork make him a trusted figure at Raincoat Roofing and a true MVP.

Student Competition

The six finalist teams gave oral presentations as the final stage of the Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition. This year, the teams were tasked with submitting a qualified bid package for the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport Hotel. The oral presentation scores were combined with the teams’ written proposal scores to determine the winning team. The Roofing Alliance is proud to announce the top three schools and the best individual presenters.

Top three construction management schools:

• First place: Texas A&M University
• Second place: Auburn University
• Third place: Clemson University

Best individual presenters:

• Arjun Varadhan, Auburn University
• Cheyenne Campbell, University of North Florida

For more information on the Roofing Alliance and all the awards and award winners, contact Executive Director Alison L. LaValley, CAE at alavalley@nrca.net or visit www.roofingalliance.net.

About the Roofing Alliance

The Roofing Alliance serves as a catalyst for innovation, bringing together a dedicated community of over 200 roofing professionals from across the industry. With a commitment exceeding $16 million, the Roofing Alliance funds essential research and training initiatives, fosters educational advancement through its construction management programs and the esteemed Melvin Kruger Scholarship Program and leads critical workforce development initiatives. It also recognizes outstanding contributions through the Most Valuable Player Awards Program and champions philanthropic outreach through its impactful partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities®. For more information about becoming a Roofing Alliance member, please contact Alison L. LaValley, CAE, executive director, at alavalley@nrca.net.

Six outstanding roofing professionals compete for Best of the Best Recognition.

The Roofing Alliance proudly announces the 2024-25 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards finalists and honorable mention recipients. The winners for Outstanding Performance and Leadership, Outstanding Community Involvement and the recipient of Professional Roofing's Best of the Best, a recognition co-sponsored by OMG Roofing Products and Professional Roofing magazine, will be announced during the NRCA Industry Awards and Reception on Feb. 20, 2025, at the International Roofing Expo® in San Antonio, Texas.

Through the MVP Award program, the Roofing Alliance honors leadership in the field. Roofing contractors nominate field roofing workers, foremen or superintendents. Distributors and supplier firms nominate warehouse employees, warehouse foremen, drivers or equipment operators. Individuals can be nominated for their outstanding performance and leadership or outstanding community involvement.  Since the program’s inception more than 20 years ago, 783 employees have been nominated and 291 winners and finalists have been recognized.

The 2025 MVP Award finalists include:

• Angel Arroyo, superintendent, Raincoat Roofing Systems Inc., Broadview, Illinois
• Alex Garcia, superintendent, Bliss Roofing Inc., Clackamas, Oregon
• Hugo Guerrero, superintendent, Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing, Houston, Texas
• Cliff Johnson, driver, Beacon Building Products, Rochester, Minnesota
• Chad Rouse, superintendent, D.C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Alicia Woodruff, superintendent, Superior Services RSH Inc., Lansing, Michigan

The 2025 MVP Honorable Mention Recipients include:

• George Castillo, equipment operator, Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing, Houston, Texas
• Bill Deckard, warehouse foreman, All Weather Insulated Panels, Little Rock, Arkansas
• Joseph Graham, foreman, Springfield Commercial Roofing, Kingsley, Michigan
• Rogelio Guerra, foreman, Renaissance Roofing Inc., Belvidere, Illinois
• Phillip Hernandez, driver, Beacon Building Products, Herndon, Vermont
• Nahum Padilla, superintendent, KPost Company, Dallas, Texas

Best of the Best Award

MVP award recipients also vie for the distinguished title of Professional Roofing's Best of the Best. In collaboration with OMG Roofing Products Inc. of Agawam, Massachussetts, Professional Roofing magazine proudly co-sponsors this prestigious recognition.

The coveted title of Best of the Best comes with a special prize and the added distinction of being featured in a comprehensive article within Professional Roofing magazine. This exclusive spotlight not only acknowledges the winner's exceptional contributions but also provides a platform to share their insights, expertise and success story with a broader audience. It's an opportunity for the industry to celebrate excellence, learn from the best and inspire future generations of roofing professionals.

For more information about the Roofing Alliance or the Most Valuable Player Awards, please contact Alison L. LaValley, CAE at alavalley@nrca.net or visit roofingalliance.net.

About the Roofing Alliance

The Roofing Alliance serves as a catalyst for innovation, bringing together a dedicated community of over 200 roofing professionals from across the industry. With a commitment exceeding $16 million, the Roofing Alliance funds essential research and training initiatives, fosters educational advancement through its construction management programs and the esteemed Melvin Kruger Scholarship Program and leads critical workforce development initiatives. It also recognizes outstanding contributions through the Most Valuable Player Awards Program and champions philanthropic outreach through its impactful partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities®. For more information about becoming a Roofing Alliance member, please contact Alison L. LaValley, CAE, Executive Director, at alavalley@nrca.net. 

By Jessica Bravo.  

Bliss Roofing offers homeowners the complete package in roofing and customer service. 

Every month, The Coffee Shops highlight the story of one of our R-Club members through our Roofer of the Month podcast! Join Alex Tolle as she talks to October’s Roofer of the Month, Stephanie Baird, from Bliss Roofing. 

Founded in 1969, Bliss Roofing has served its community with quality service and hospitality for 55 years. Stephanie emphasizes, “We do things a little bit different than other companies do… We own all of our own equipment.” Each job includes disposal units and enclosed trailers stocked with essential supplies, including porta potties for convenience. “It makes a difference to the customer,” she notes. 

Bliss Roofing’s attention to detail sets it apart, owning five Equipters and various other machinery in order to meet all of their customer roofing needs. They specialize in pitched residential roofs, catering to projects of all sizes, from small jobs to custom work. 

Celebrating every success, Bliss Roofing values each project and team member, aiming to be the employer of choice. Their commitment to superior customer service extends beyond project completion. They offer a ten-year workmanship warranty, far exceeding the standard one-year guarantee. Stephanie shares, “Not only do we want to be the employer of choice, but we want to be the contractor of choice.”  

Homeowners appreciate the thoughtful planning that makes the roofing process easier and more pleasant. Bliss Roofing's dedication to providing a seamless experience ensures they stand out in the industry, prioritizing both customer satisfaction and quality service. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the full podcast for more about Bliss Roofing and the impact they are making on their community.  

Learn more about Bliss Roofing in their Coffee Shop Directory or visit www.blissroofing.com. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Roofing experts discuss AI-driven sales tools, industry leadership and innovation at the Western Roofing Expo.   

In this webinar, recorded live at the Western Roofing Expo, a diverse panel of roofing professionals explored the industry's future, focusing on new technologies and leadership. Hosted by Heidi J. Ellsworth, the conversation featured Joshua Adams, founder of Roof Scout; Kris Hitesman from Capital Roofing and incoming president of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association; Stephanie Baird of Bliss Roofing; and Will Lorenz of General Coatings. Together, they discussed the exciting developments reshaping roofing sales and operations, paying particular attention to the innovative tools and leadership driving these changes. 

Joshua kicked off the conversation by introducing Roof Scout, a cutting-edge digital sales platform that uses 3D animation and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance contractor-client interactions. “We are bringing 3D animation and the next wave of AI salesmanship to the marketplace,” Joshua said. He explained how the platform, set to launch in the spring, will transform traditional sales processes by offering clients visually immersive presentations of roofing projects. With detailed 3D models and AI-driven insights, Roof Scout aims to simplify complex roofing concepts for customers, ultimately leading to more efficient sales. 

The panel also reflected on the broader impact of technology in the roofing industry. Stephanie covered the importance of tools like AI and CRMs (Customer Relationship Management) systems in streamlining operations. Stephanie expressed how tech solutions help track real-time project data and resolve issues on-site, such as material discrepancies or damages, “All of our installers have access to their CRM, they're designated to their own job.” 

Kris noted the importance of leadership in navigating these technological changes, sharing her excitement about the future of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association. " I am one that doesn't think that we need to just keep staying the same. We need to mix things up," she said, echoing the need for continued innovation and industry-wide progress. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about the future of the roofing industry, driven by AI! 

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with Stephanie Baird of Bliss Roofing. You can read the interview below or listen to the podcast.

Intro: Welcome to the hottest podcast in the roofing industry. Get ready to meet the stars of the rooftops, the shingle sensations and the gutter gurus. Each month, we'll climb up to the top to shine the spotlight on one remarkable roofer who's nailing it. We'll dive deep into their stories, their triumphs and the secrets behind their sky-high success. Don't miss out on these industry insights' incredible tales of resilience and the passion that keeps these roofers at the top of their game. Tune in, subscribe and follow us on this incredible journey as we crown this month's Roofer of the Month.

Alex Tolle: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to Roofer of the Month with rooferscoffeeshop.com. My name is Alex Tolle, and I am so excited to be here today with Stephanie Baird at Bliss Roofing. Bliss Roofing is our October Roofer of the Month. Stephanie, how are you?

Stephanie Baird: I am good. Thanks for asking. How about you?

Alex Tolle: I am great. I'm so glad to see you. I love working with you all at Bliss Roofing, and I'm so excited to have you guys as our Roofer of the Month.

Stephanie Baird: Thank you so much. We are very proud.

Alex Tolle: Amazing. Let's just go ahead and hop right in. Can you just introduce yourself? Tell us a little bit about Bliss Roofing.

Stephanie Baird: You bet. My name is Stephanie Baird. I am the General Manager of Bliss Roofing and have been here for 30+ years, if you can believe that. Like my husband says, "You do less for murder." My tenure with Bliss Roofing has hopefully given me the opportunity to make a difference in the roofing industry. I am involved in several organizations. I'm one of the founding members of National Women in Roofing, Oregon Council. I'm also on the board of Western States, and I am highly involved in Associated Roofing Contractors of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Bliss Roofing, our main state is pitched residential roofing. We are one of the only roofing companies here in the Pacific Northwest that does shakes, metal composition, as well as tile. We have fully-staffed repair and production departments.

Alex Tolle: Amazing. I get to see your beautiful face all the time because I live not too far from you. I'm a part of the Oregon Council. I've been to the golf tournament, so I just saw you a couple months ago for Arc. It's so awesome how involved you are in the industry, especially locally. Awesome. What types of services does Bliss Roofing provide? What is your specialty? I know you just hit on that, but if you can go in a little more into detail.

Stephanie Baird: Sure. Our specialty is pitched residential, so we are not the company you're going to call if you need a Walmart roof. That's not our bread and butter, but we specialize in the pitched roofs. No job is too small or too big for us. We've done some custom work this past year. One right up by our shop was 300 squares, and then there's lots of jobs that we'll do that are 10 squares. Over the last few years, we've gotten more into metal as it's become more popular, but pitched residential roofing all day, that ours our specialty.

Alex Tolle: Awesome. Can you share something special that your company celebrates? I know you guys do a lot for your employees, so can you share something special you guys all celebrate?

Stephanie Baird: Bliss Roofing celebrates all blissful wins, all of them. Everything here we do, we try to celebrate big, huge projects down to an Employee of the Month. Every month, one to five are picked. We strive to be the employer of choice and make everything as blissful as possible.

Alex Tolle: I love that. I see you guys's social media posts all the time, and you guys are always celebrating something or highlighting your employees. It makes me want to come work for you. Don't worry, I'm not leaving Heidi, but you guys just look like a great company to work for. I think that's awesome that you're celebrating your team so much.

Stephanie Baird: Thank you. I appreciate that, and I appreciate that you recognize that as well. We really do try hard to nominate our employees for awards out in the roofing industry and outside the roofing industry. It's cool to have their families see that they're recognized for Employee of the Month or Spotlight of the Month, so thank you for recognizing that.

Alex Tolle: Yes, that's awesome. How do you, at Bliss Roofing, define superior customer service?

Stephanie Baird: That's a great question. We feel that superior customer service extends far after when the project is completed. We provide a ten-year blissful workmanship warranty, which exceeds a lot of our competition of just a standard one. But going the extra mile for somebody when you've got something come up five years from now, or you've got a question on something or you just want to have your roof inspected because you heard a funny noise, which might just be your stem vent, so just making sure that once you have hired Bliss Roofing, that you're like family to us. Not only do we want to be the employer of choice, but want to be the contractor of choice and we want to stand out from other companies.

Alex Tolle: That's awesome. That's so important to not just put on a roof and then you never hear from your contractor again. It's nice that homeowners have the ability to reach back out to you and know that you're still going to take care of them even after that roof's been on for a couple of years.

Stephanie Baird: Thank you.

Alex Tolle: I think we just answered this question. Why should homeowners work with Bliss Roofing?

Stephanie Baird: Well, I love that question. My answer is why wouldn't they? I feel like we have been in business for 55 years, since 1969.

Alex Tolle: Wow.

Stephanie Baird: The reputation right there speaks for itself, and experience matters. I think that's super important. We do things a little bit different than other companies do, and I don't know if that's better. It's just the way we do them. We own all of our own equipment. All of our jobs, we take out our own disposal units. We also have an enclosed trailer go out to all of our jobs that have supplies in there, underlayment, the things the guys need, wheelbarrows, garbage cans, magnets, all that stuff so that it's a complete job done. We also, on those enclosed trailers, we have an extended tongue. We have a porta potty on each site.

Stephanie Baird: I know that doesn't sound like it makes a difference, but it does. It makes a difference to the customer. It's nice that we can pull up there and we have everything that we need to get the job done. I feel like that sets us apart from other companies. In addition to that, we've got five Equipters, which are a self-propelled hopper. We've got scissor beds, so we have all the equipment to take care of all of your roofing needs. We really do. We've got a man lift. We've got it all.

Alex Tolle: That's awesome. I'm sure that homeowners probably don't even think about a lot of those things, but when you're on a site and nature calls, you don't have to go knocking on the door and interrupt somebody's day. That's so amazing that you think through all of those things, to plan ahead and just really be prepared to give them a great experience. Obviously, getting a roof is a huge project and can be a little noisy. You're going to know that your roofers are there, so anything that you can do to make it easier on the homeowner, I think, is amazing.

Stephanie Baird: Thank you, and I agree. Getting your roof done, not only is it a big project, but it's an expensive one. If it was an easy job, you would do it yourself and you would save the thousands of dollars you're going to spend. When we can pull up and be a professional company with professional W-2 employees with all of the equipment needed to get the job done on a timely matter, I think it just really, really is impressive to the customers.

Alex Tolle: I agree. The professionalism is so important. It gives the homeowners that trust in you that, clearly, you know what you're doing. You have the experience, you show up, you get the work done, but you're still there if they need you. I love it. Why are you an R-Club member, and what is maybe one of your favorite things about RoofersCoffeeShop?

Stephanie Baird: That is a great question. I highly respect Heidi in everything she does, and so if she's going to do something, well, by golly, we're going to be part of it. That's the biggest reason. I love the coffee talks and I love the classifieds. I like the information that's put out. I'm going to be honest with you, I like the photo contests.

Alex Tolle: Yes. I know you're in our Week in Roofing Newsletter all the time. I love seeing your selfies and everything. You guys are always in those. I love it.

Stephanie Baird: We appreciate being in those. Yeah, we really do. We really like it. Yeah. I guess it's where the roofing industry meets, RoofersCoffeeShop, right?

Alex Tolle: Exactly.

Stephanie Baird: Isn't that your tagline?

Alex Tolle: Yes. Yes, it is.

Stephanie Baird: It's the [inaudible 00:10:38], yeah.

Alex Tolle: Awesome, and we love having you a part of it. All right. Lastly, best question, what would your walk-up song be?

Stephanie Baird: Well, I thought about that this morning when I opened up your email, so it depends. If I was walking up for my own personal song, I'd probably say This Girl is on Fire. Yes. Probably, if I was walking up for Bliss Roofing, I'd probably say Bon Jovi, Have a Nice Day.

Alex Tolle: I love it. Those are both great songs and very fitting. The Girl On Fire, that's you, for sure. Amazing. Well, Stephanie, thank you so much for taking the time today to hop on this podcast. We are so excited to honor Bliss Roofing with the October 2024 Roofer of the Month. Again, thank you so much.

Stephanie Baird: Thank you for having us.

Alex Tolle: All right. This has been our October Roofer of the Month podcast. Thank you so much, and we'll see you next time.

Outro: That's a wrap on this month's episode of Roofer Over the Month. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We'll catch you next time for more rooftop celebrations. Make sure to subscribe and follow the rooferscoffeeshop.com podcast page for more, and go to rooferscoffeeshop.com or askaroofer.com for more information.

By Emma Peterson. 

Volunteers from NWIR, Bliss Roofing, Mountainwood Homes, Lennar and more come together to support Project Homeless Connect’s mission. 

Project Homeless Connect (PHC) began in 2006 with Kim Marshall Gordon and her mission of helping the unhoused populations in Washington County, Oregon. Today, PHC operates a street outreach team, an access center, year-round shelters, inclement weather sheltering, a variety of affordable housing programs and collaborative day one resource events. One of the individuals that went to PHC for help explained the power of this organization, saying, “Amanda (case manager) smiled at me and looked me in the eye; she treated me like a human being, not like an animal on the street. She saved my life. She helped me get into housing after years of struggling. I get to call this my home. I am happy here. I’m safe.” 

And the team at PHC recently got an upgrade to their organization’s home. They have been operating out of a bungalow in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon that was sorely in need of some upgrades. The yellow, cramped house’s roof was sagging, the front steps were broken and the yard a wild, unapproachable space. This is the location of their access center, where they provide up to 100 unhoused people with hot meals, counseling, showers, clothing and other services and making it accessible and welcoming is key to supporting their mission. Luckily, over the last year and a half, another local organization, HomeAid Portland, coordinated multiple crews of volunteers and companies to help them revamp their access center and help more unhoused people. 

The first key player was Robert Wood of Mountainwood Homes. He and his crews were able to bring out a mini excavator to clear the 20-foot-tall blackberries in the backyard and the bushes blocking the front of the building. They were also able to repair the broken steps and add a handrail to make it easier to enter the access center. Other crews of volunteers built PHC a new six-foot tall fence to give the people using the center privacy and the front porch was refreshed with a new coat of paint. In four hours, these incredible volunteers used some hand tools, hard work and hope to transform the access center.  

But this was just the start. Bliss Roofing, a general contractor in Clackamas, Oregon partnered with a team from the local National Women in Roofing (NWIR) chapter to tear off the broken, sagging roof and replace it. This work happened to fall on the Charitable Projects Day of the National Roofing Contractors Association’s Roofing Week and the women onsite and the companies backing them donated an estimated $40,000 worth of labor and materials. 

From there, word of the project spread and more community members came to do what they could. National homebuilder Lennar, who has partnered with HomeAid in the past, brought a professional landscaper and crew out to finish the yardwork by taking out the turf and re-mulching the garden beds. Others came to paint and haul away debris for free and some local high school students in a construction program built storage sheds, a trash enclosure, a clothing closet and picnic tables for PHC. 

The cherry on the top for the project was a wheelchair ramp. Previously, the only way for disabled people to enter the access center was to be lifted up the broken stairs. Now, in addition to the fixed stairs, PHC has a wheelchair ramp thanks to Rick’s Custom Fencing’s donation. All of these donations meant that an estimated $250,000 of work was donated by volunteers to renew Project Homeless Connect’s space so they can continue to renew hope in the individuals seeking their assistance.  

Image source: HomeAid Portland