By Emma Peterson.  

Learn from John Kenney’s decades of experience and insights through Cotney Consulting Group’s accessible online training programs!  

Through our work reporting on the world of roofing, The Coffee Shops™ crew get the chance to talk to experts and leaders from all across the industry. One of those experts that we’ve had the honor to work with especially closely is John Kenney.  

John is the CEO of Cotney Consulting Group and has over four decades of history working in the roofing industry. He is also incredibly passionate about and involved in industry organizations, sitting on the board of Board of Directors for RT3 (Roofing Technology Think Tank) and a participating member of National Women in Roofing’s Membership Committee.  And the best part? John is actively working on sharing his knowledge and experience with the rest of the roofing industry through Cotney Consulting Group’s training programs!  

To learn more about these programs, Megan Ellsworth sat down with John for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. First, they discussed what inspired John to start these structured trainings. He shared:  

What pushed me into building the structure training programs was actually seeing the same problems repeat themselves at different companies. It's kind of like Einstein's theory. If we continue to do the same thing over and over, we're not going to get a different result. So, what I saw was estimators promoted without training, which makes sense as it’s very hard to train in-house with estimators because there's so much going on, but also sets them and the company up for disaster. They're expected to manage their people without any type of leadership tools whatsoever.  

Having noticed this issue cropping up in businesses all over the industry, John decided to create the training that they’re missing in an accessible, online format that can be fit into their busy schedules. He explained, “The reason I made them online is because it's learning at your own pace. And as we all know in this industry, you're busy. And this is something you can do for a couple hours at night. You can do it on your lunch break because it can be done very easily.” 

Currently, there are a few of John’s different programs already available to professionals – Estimating sales, project management, superintendent resources, service/maintenance, business operations and leadership skills. Each of these tracks are designed to stand on their own. John elaborated, “Online training allowed me to take all the decades that I've been in this business with my real-world experience and put it into lessons... each track is built to stand on its own. So, I have three or four different programs in estimating itself, and you don't have to take all of them at once. You take them when you're ready.” 

The result? Higher-skilled roofing professionals that not only succeed in their own careers but boost the business they’re a part of.  

Want to learn more about John’s training programs? Listen to the whole podcast or explore Cotney’s training page. 

By Emma Peterson. 

A candid conversation with two founders of NWIR about how ten years has changed the perception of female professionals. 

With the amount of stressful news constantly around us, it can be hard to remember to celebrate the good news and progress being made. To put the good in the spotlight, Heidi J. Ellsworth, CEO of The Coffee Shops™ and Jennifer Stone, the director of national accounts, Tremco, sat down for a Roofing Road Trips® episode all about the growth of the roofing industry since they helped launch National Women in Roofing (NWIR) a decade ago.  

Heidi opened the conversation by talking about how NWIR first came to be, sharing, “It started at the Midwest meetings. It was me, Jennifer, Jenny Ford Smith and Sherry Carlazzi. And we had this idea, called Trent Cotney and asked, “how do we make this happen?’” 

And now, ten years later, NWIR is stronger than ever, and today there has been a noticeable change in the perception of women in the roofing industry since the organization’s founding. Jennifer shared:  

When we were getting together 10 years ago, I remember Jenny saying, ‘I can't wait till the day people stop introducing me as the first female leader of sales and you as the first this and the first that.’ And it really feels like we’re getting there... You see so many women that are in the C-suite executive positions, and it isn't a first anymore. 

This growth not only helps women in the industry, but it helps the industry as a whole. Jennifer explained, “We’ve seen a huge growth of diversity in the roofing industry in the last decade, and it makes the industry better because you get diversity of thought, which is where retention, innovation and growth come from.”  

A great example of this was Tremco’s hiring of Mandy McIntyre in a specialized position all about culture and process development. Jennifer spoke a bit about this:  

Mandy's role as a strong woman who's passionate about culture and mental health and people, her focus positively impacts Tremco's culture in numerous, numerous ways, including process development, and performance management...And would she have been hired in this role a decade ago? I don’t know, but what we do know is that because she’s in this leadership role, Tremco’s culture and business are both stronger. 

Heidi added some of her thoughts, “It’s amazing to see this kind of thing. It really shows how the perceptions of women and the perceptions of what's acceptable and what's not acceptable have changed in the last 10 years.”  

Listen to the rest of Heidi and Jennifer’s conversation to hear more about how the perception of women has changed in the roofing industry.

Por Jessica Bravo. 

Lee este artículo para aprender la importancia de la educación continua como dueño de negocio.  

En esta edición de Coffee Conversations®, patrocinada por APOC, Jessica Bravo conversa con Jaqueline Sancen de Latinos En Roofing, Diana Barriga de National Women in Roofing Conexión Hispana y Gustavo y Sherly Zuniiga de Universal Remodel Inc sobre cómo los contratistas de techado pueden escalar sus negocios a través de la capacitación. 

Jaqueline y Diana mencionan que, de haber contado con estas herramientas, no habrían enfrentado tantas dificultades ni tenido que superar tantos desafíos en la industria. Por su parte, Gustavo y Sherly explican que su negocio es un ejemplo de cómo una empresa se beneficia al aprovechar estos recursos. Como dice Gustavo,“Si no fuera por Latinos En Roofing, yo no tendría compañía. Todo el crecimiento que hemos tenido ha sido gracias a la educación… no es una clase cualquiera, te dan herramientas para hacer crecer tu negocio.” 

Jaqueline, encargada de desarrollar materiales de capacitación para Latinos En Roofing University, afirma, “La educación es fundamental si quieres crecer… tienes que empezar a delegar y enfocarte en lo que realmente es importante.” También explica que un dueño de negocio puede tomarse uno o dos días para capacitarse y su empresa seguirá funcionando. “Con algo que te lleves y lo apliques correctamente… eso será la llave para seguir creciendo.” 

Diana habla de cómo se ha convertido en líder dentro de la industria, “Cambiar de la mentalidad de ‘yo lo puedo todo’ a construir una compañía sólida fue un cambio radical. Nadie nos enseña a ser líderes… estamos enfocados en sobrevivir, pero la capacitación es lo que te saca de ese ciclo.” 

Escucha esta edición especial de Coffee Conversations® y descubre la importancia de la educación, incluso como dueño de negocio.

A coalition of industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada has completed its Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing for the third quarter of 2025.

The survey is an industrywide effort spearheaded by a coalition of trade assocations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, Metal Roofing Alliance, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

Seventy percent of survey responses came from roofing contractors, and 30% of responses came from roof consultants. Forty-eight percent of respondents indicated they primarily work on low-slope roof systems; 39% indicated they primarily work on a blend of low-slope and steep-slope roof systems; and 13% indicated they primarily work on steep-slope roof systems.

Participants who identify as roofing contractors were asked to report the number of squares of reroofing material installed by their companies during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same quarter in 2025. Thirty-two percent of respondents reported the volume of reroofing materials installed increased, 32% reported no change and 36% reported a decrease in materials installed year-over-year.

Thirty-six percent of all survey respondents indicated their customer inquiries increased. Forty-three percent of respondents reported no change in activity, and 21% indicated a decrease. Project contracts increased for 33% of respondents, 40% reported no change in activity and 27% indicated a decrease in project contracts.

Additionally, two indices offer insight regarding customer inquiries and project contracts across market segments. The indices are based on a 0 to 100 scale. A score of 50 or higher suggests expansion or optimism; a score below 50 indicates contraction or pessimism.

• The customer inquiries index score for the total industry increased to 57.1 compared with 39.0 for the fourth quarter of 2025. The score for the steep-slope reroofing market is 50, the score for the low-slope reroofing market is 59.1, and the score for the blended low- and steep-slope reroofing market is 57.1.
• The project contracts index score for the total industry increased to 52.9 compared with 45.2 for the fourth quarter of 2025. The score for the steep-slope reroofing market is 50.0, the score for the low-slope reroofing market is 56.1, and the score for the blended low- and steep-slope reroofing market is 50.0.

As of April 2026, 26% of respondents reported no project backlogs, 40% indicated project backlogs of one to two months and 21% indicated backlogs of three to four months. Thirteen percent of respondents reported project backlogs of five or more months.

The complete results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are available to those who participate in the survey via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics. Any contractor or consultant who wants to participate in the next quarter’s survey can sign up for a notification at http://bit.ly/37ank7D.

About 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.

By Dani Sheehan. 

What began as a simple idea quickly became something much bigger: a shared effort powered by generosity, teamwork and the belief that even small acts of kindness can create lasting impact. 

At The Coffee Shops™, community means showing up for neighbors, lending a hand when it’s needed and using our collective reach to make a real difference. Throughout the beginning of 2026, we ran a nationwide food and supply drive, where crew members and our partners across the country gathered pantry staples, hygiene products and everyday essentials for local food banks and community organizations. 

With crew members and supporters participating from multiple regions, donations were delivered to organizations helping families, children, students and individuals facing food insecurity. From in-person drop-offs to online contributions through Amazon wishlists, the drive made it easy for people to take part however they could. 

A crew united by compassion 

For many crew members, participating in the drive was deeply personal. Drake Porter, industry relations coordinator, shared: 

I love giving back! The opportunity to give to those in my community that needing everyday basics warms my heart. Kindness doesn't have to be complicated. The simplest act — providing a pair of socks — can mean the world to someone. 

Emma Richardson, account manager, was integral in bringing this drive together and reflected on why taking action was so important: 

It was important to me to run a food drive because food insecurity is a critical issue in my community. Late last year, the strain on local resources reached a breaking point, and we were forced to confront the fragility of systems so many people depend on for survival. While we couldn't fix everything, it was impossible to do nothing. Our food drive is a drop in a very large ocean, but strong communities are built on collective effort, and this is an exciting first step! 

In Bend, Oregon, Lauren White, our editor-in-chief, saw firsthand what can happen when communities collaborate. She shared: 

Being a part of this supply drive for our local communities has been a meaningful experience. It's amazing to see our crew come together to support so many different groups of people. The Central Oregon National Women in Roofing council agreed to partner with The Coffee Shops (TCS) to help further expand the reach of this drive and we received a lot of donations here! Having the Amazon wishlist was really convenient for people who weren't able to drop items off at a physical location. 

We wish we could have donated to all of the organizations in Central Oregon who are serving our neighbors in need. We decided to donate our supplies to The Giving Plate because of their mission: ‘To end hunger by reimagining what food relief looks like, creating a place where guests feel seen and cared for. A community that affirms every person’s inherent worth and dignity.’ They also have a food pantry for kids (Kid's Korner & Kid’s Korner Mobile Pantry) as well as provide weekend food bags for K-12 students in over 30 Bend/La Pine schools with food for the weekend to eliminate gaps in access to food.  

I dropped off the donations at The Giving Plate, and they were very happy to receive all of the food items and travel size shampoo and conditioner bottles that were donated by various people in Central Oregon. 

I'm proud of our efforts and grateful to be a small part in the TCS Supply Drive and look forward to even more supply drives in the future! 

For Emma Peterson, senior content developer, the drive also connected to personal experience: 

Food resources like food banks and pantries are so important. I remember how game-changing the local one was for me when I was in school, and last fall truly showed how crucial these community programs are to our neighbors’ wellbeing. This drive was a great opportunity to pay it forward after the help I have received and support the communities around us. 

More than a donation drive 

While the boxes of food and supplies made a tangible difference, this effort was about more than what was collected. It highlights connection, coworkers rallying around a cause, partners stepping up to help and communities seeing that they are not alone. 

We’re incredibly grateful to every person who donated, shared the drive, partnered locally or helped coordinate efforts behind the scenes. Your generosity turned a company initiative into something truly meaningful. 

The need for community support continues year-round. We hope this effort inspires others to look around their own neighborhoods and ask how they can help, whether that means donating food, volunteering time or supporting local organizations doing essential work every day. 

We believe strong communities are built when people show up for one another. Thanks to our crew and supporters nationwide, that belief was put into action.

Por Jesse Sanchez, traducido por Jessica Bravo. 

Lo que el compromiso de larga data de TAMKO con National Women in Roofing revela sobre el crecimiento de la fuerza laboral y el liderazgo. 

Construir una fuerza laboral sólida depende de más que solo productos y procesos de calidad. Requiere una inversión intencional en las personas, el desarrollo del liderazgo y la creación de caminos inclusivos que se amplíen a todos los segmentos de la industria. Para muchos contratistas, esas prioridades coinciden con la misión de National Women in Roofing (NWIR), una organización enfocada en la educación, la mentoría y el crecimiento profesional de las mujeres en toda la cadena de suministro de la industria de techado. TAMKO Building Products se ha mantenido como patrocinador fundador y patrocinador Diamante de NWIR, un papel que la empresa describe como alineado con su visión a largo plazo del crecimiento de la industria. En lugar de limitar ese apoyo a un solo evento o temporada, TAMKO asegura que su participación sea un compromiso continuo para fortalecer la fuerza laboral de la que dependen los contratistas todos los días. 

“Apoyar a organizaciones como NWIR es una prioridad clave para nuestro equipo aquí en TAMKO. Es muy importante para nosotros como empresa comprometernos con el crecimiento de nuestra industria y eso incluye apoyar a organizaciones como NWIR,” dijo Konner McIntire, director de comunicaciones y relaciones comunitarias de TAMKO. 

Para los contratistas, el valor de ese apoyo se refleja de manera práctica. NWIR conecta a las mujeres con capacitación, certificaciones y desarrollo de liderazgo que pueden fortalecer las operaciones desde dentro de la empresa. La mentoría y el aprendizaje entre colegas ayudan a los empleados a desarrollar confianza y claridad en sus trayectorias profesionales, lo que a su vez favorece la retención y la colaboración tanto en obras como en oficinas. 

Los miembros del equipo de TAMKO que participan en eventos de NWIR suelen destacar el impacto de la comunidad. “Ser parte de NWIR es un recordatorio de lo poderoso que es cuando las mujeres se apoyan entre sí,” dijo Julie Weissenberger, gerente general de TAMKO en Tuscaloosa. “Cada vez que nos conectamos a través de la mentoría o la colaboración, estamos construyendo confianza y ampliando lo que es posible en esta industria. Me enorgullece ser parte de una empresa que valora esas conexiones e invierte en la próxima generación de mujeres líderes.” 

Ese énfasis en las personas se extiende a todos los roles. “Trabajar en el área de I+D de TAMKO me ha brindado un flujo constante de retos y oportunidades de aprendizaje que realmente he disfrutado,” comentó Gizem Reese, ingeniera en ciencia de materiales. “La variedad de proyectos y la colaboración entre equipos me han permitido conectar personas e ideas, construir relaciones y ayudar a impulsar el conocimiento que fortalece tanto la innovación como el crecimiento dentro de la empresa.” 

Para los contratistas que enfrentan escasez de mano de obra y la planeación de sucesión, estas experiencias son clave. El acceso a redes más amplias y al aprendizaje compartido puede traducirse en una mejor comunicación, equipos más comprometidos y una mayor capacidad de liderazgo que beneficia a toda la organización. 

Crystal Stone, gerente regional de ventas del suroeste de TAMKO, destacó el papel de los eventos educativos en la generación de este impulso. “Me encanta asistir a eventos educativos e inspiradores con profesionales afines. Es una oportunidad para ampliar la conciencia, crear conexiones y fortalecer la presencia de las mujeres en la industria de la techumbre.” 

A medida que NWIR continúa su labor a través de consejos locales e iniciativas nacionales, la participación de TAMKO representa un mensaje más amplio para la industria. Invertir en mentoría, educación e inclusión no está separado del desempeño del negocio; es su base. 

En esencia, el apoyo a organizaciones como NWIR refleja la creencia de que cuando las personas tienen oportunidades y herramientas para crecer, la industria avanza en conjunto. Para los contratistas, esto se traduce en acceso a una fuerza laboral mejor preparada, motivada y resiliente, construida a través de un compromiso compartido y no de esfuerzos a corto plazo. 

¡Descubre más sobre cómo apoyar a las mujeres fortalece la industria de la techumbre y cómo la inversión a largo plazo en educación, mentoría y desarrollo de liderazgo puede ayudar a los contratistas a construir equipos más sólidos y resilientes!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

What TAMKO’s long-standing commitment to National Women in Roofing reveals about workforce growth and leadership. 

Building a strong workforce depends on more than just quality products and processes. It requires intentional investment in people, leadership development and inclusive pathways that expand to all segments of the industry. For many contractors, those priorities intersect with the mission of National Women in Roofing (NWIR), an organization focused on education, mentorship and career advancement for women across the roofing supply chain. TAMKO Building Products has remained a founding and Diamond Sponsor of NWIR, a role the company describes as being aligned with its long-term view of industry growth. Rather than tying that support to a single event or season, TAMKO ensures its involvement is as an ongoing commitment to strengthening the workforce contractors rely on every day. 

“Supporting organizations like NWIR is a key focus for our team here at TAMKO. It’s very important to who we are as a company to commit to the growth of our industry — and that includes supporting organizations like NWIR,” said Konner McIntire, TAMKO’s Director of Communications & Community Relations. 

For contractors, the value of that support shows up in practical ways. NWIR connects women to training, certifications and leadership development that can strengthen operations from inside the company. Mentorship and peer learning help employees build confidence and clarity around career paths, which in turn supports retention and collaboration on jobsites and in offices. 

TAMKO team members who participate in NWIR events often point to the impact of community. “Being part of NWIR is a reminder of how powerful it is when women support each other,” said Julie Weissenberger, TAMKO Tuscaloosa General Manager. “Every time we connect through mentorship or collaboration, we’re building confidence and expanding what’s possible in this industry. I’m proud to be part of a company that values those connections and invests in the next generation of women leaders.” 

That emphasis on people extends across roles.  “Working in TAMKO’s R&D has brought a continuous stream of challenges and learning opportunities, which I’ve truly enjoyed,” said Gizem Reese, Material Science Engineer. “The variety of projects and collaboration across teams have allowed me to connect people and ideas, build relationships, and help bring forward knowledge that strengthens both innovation and growth within the company.” 

For contractors navigating labor shortages and succession planning, those experiences matter. Exposure to broader networks and shared learning can translate into stronger communication, more engaged teams and leadership capacity that benefits the entire organization. 

Crystal Stone, TAMKO’s Sales Southwest Regional Manager, pointed to the role educational gatherings play in building that momentum. She shared, “I love attending educational and inspirational events with like-minded professionals. It’s an opportunity to grow awareness, build connections and strengthen the presence of women in the roofing industry.” 

As NWIR continues its work through local councils and national initiatives, TAMKO’s involvement represents a broader industry message. Investing in mentorship, education and inclusion is not separate from business performance. It is a foundation for it. 

At its core, support for organizations like NWIR reflects a belief that when people are empowered, the industry moves forward together. For contractors, that translates into access to a more prepared, motivated and resilient workforce — one built through shared commitment rather than short-term attention. 

Learn more about how supporting women strengthens the roofing industry and how long-term investment in education, mentorship and leadership development can help contractors build stronger, more resilient teams!

The survey is an industrywide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations.

The National Roofing Contractors Association encourages roofing professionals to join industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada in taking part in the latest Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing to evaluate business conditions during the first quarter of 2026.

For more than two years, the survey has taken the pulse of the reroofing industry and continues to serve as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions. By asking a handful of business questions and measuring responses across several demographics, the survey helps indicate the reroofing market’s strength and trajectory. Your response provides valuable insight.

The results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are made available to all survey participants via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics.

For the previous survey that measured business activity during the fourth quarter of 2025, 75% of responses came from roofing contractors and 25% came from roof consultants.

The survey is an industrywide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, Metal Roofing Alliance, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

The Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing is available at bit.ly/RoofingSurvey. Survey responses may be submitted through April 20.

About National Roofing Contractors Association (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 www.nrca.net.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Learn how the event delivered strong networking, education and business opportunities for roofing professionals. 

The Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) show reinforced its position as a cornerstone regional event, bringing together contractors, manufacturers and industry organizations for one of its largest gatherings to date. This year’s show was defined by record attendance, an expanded trade floor and a steady pace of meaningful connections that translated into real business opportunities. 

That growth was immediately evident to attendees. The Coffee Shops™ (TCS) Multimedia Producer Zane Deluccie described the event as the biggest CRA show yet, emphasizing the value of reconnecting with industry partners such as TRA Snow & Sun and National Women in Roofing (NWIR). Even outdoor exhibits drew attention, with Rocket Equipment’s Trash Rocket standing out despite temperatures dropping below 40 degrees. Throughout the event, Zane noted, “We met plenty of great contractors who were interested in what we stood to offer. Our floor team talked to a number of existing clients and our booth wrangled a series of leads.” 

The scale of the show also shaped the experience on the floor. TCS Podcast Producer Adam Cabrera said, “It turned out to be much larger than I expected going in. There were a ton of exhibitors and the show had great turn out.” With a large number of exhibitors spread across multiple warehouse spaces the layout created continuous foot traffic, giving the team opportunities to introduce TCS to new audiences while building interest among contractors who were previously unfamiliar with the platform. 

For TCS Multimedia Manager Megan Ellsworth, the event’s momentum was most visible in both participation and energy. “It was the biggest year attendance wise that I've been to with about 2000 people in attendance,” as Megan described an environment that remained active from start to finish where she conducted interviews with companies including FlashCo, Brava Roof Tile, TRA Snow & Sun, Owens Corning® and GAF, along with organizations such as Duro-Last® and Latinos En Roofing. Her conversation with Amparo from Latinos En Roofing, attending for the first time, highlighted the growing influence of the Colorado market. 

Megan also supported the NWIR Denver/Northern Colorado chapter booth, which saw steady traffic and new member signups throughout the event. Alongside well-attended educational sessions and upcoming programming, including a March 18 Lunch and Learn, the show reflected continued growth and opportunity across the Colorado roofing industry. 

Learn more about how the CRA show is driving industry growth through connections, education and new business opportunities!

By Emma Peterson. 

How recognition and community are empowering women in the roofing industry. 

In a recent episode of Coffee Conversations®, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Christine Mockenhaupt, current chairwoman of National Women in Roofing (NWIR) and director of FP&A at Atlas Roofing Corporation; Jennifer Stone, one of the co-founders of NWIR and the current national account director at Tremco Roofing; and Michelle Ly, co-founder of Hall Roofing & Construction and other businesses in Round Rock, Texas. For this webinar, the panel discussed the importance of mentors and advocates for women in the roofing industry.  

You might recognize Michelle’s name from 2023, when QXO (which was Beacon at the time) chose her as their Female Roofing Professional of the Year. Looking back on it now, Michelle still struggles to believe that QXO gave her that spotlight, sharing, “When QXO told me I was a finalist, I was like, ‘Are you sure? I'm just Michelle from Round Rock.’ And they were just like, ‘Yes, you. People told us about everything you've done in the community, the impact you've made in roofing and how you've changed the way of how people think – you're someone who can make a difference.’” And make a difference is exactly what Michelle did when she won that year, starting with using the cash prize to reroof the River City Youth Foundation. 

Michelle’s story is just one example of how uplifting women in the roofing industry through awards and advocacy can lead to powerful and positive change. Christine shared, “These awards, like the Female Roofing Professional of the Year, really uplift women, both as roofers and as individuals. And at their core, they build a community by recognizing that, yes, we’re all roofers, but we’re also women who need support and relationships from each other.”  

QXO’s work with the Female Roofing Professional of the Year is a great example of how advocacy creates spaces where women can grow together. Just in the last decade, Jennifer has seen the powerful impact of this, adding, “20 years ago, there was not a tremendous amount of books or even visibility on female leadership...Today, we have companies like QXO highlighting female leaders and organizations like NWIR that have full resource libraries to help women learn how to lead. It’s huge.”  

Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to hear more from these incredible women! And if you’re interested in the 2026 QXO Female Roofing Professional of the Year Award, nominations are open until April 6, 2026!