By The Coffee Shops™. 

Sutter Roofing won a top coatings award for its Van Wezel project, highlighting the value of coatings in restoring and protecting iconic structures against extreme weather conditions. 

Sutter Roofing has been recognized for excellence in roof restoration, earning first place in the 2026 Commercial Roof Coating Category by Coatings Pro Magazine for its work on the iconic Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. The award-winning project, featured in the publication’s July 2025 issue, showcases the company’s expertise in delivering durable, high-performance coating systems under challenging conditions. 

Selected as one of three finalists nationwide at the AMPP Annual Conference & Expo, the project reflects Sutter Roofing’s commitment to quality and precision from start to finish. Sutter Roofing’s Liquid-Applied Division was tasked with revitalizing the well-known cultural landmark, a project that required both technical precision and aesthetic consideration. 

Completed in late 2024, the work took place during an especially demanding period marked by multiple hurricanes over a four-month period. Despite weather disruptions and logistical challenges, the team maintained progress and delivered a high-quality result. The ability to execute under pressure demonstrated the company’s commitment to consistency, problem-solving and craftsmanship. 

According to Sutter Roofing, the project emphasized that roof coatings are about more than application alone; performance, longevity and asset protection were central to the system design and execution. From thorough surface preparation to final inspection, crews followed a disciplined process to ensure the coating system would stand up to harsh environmental conditions. 

The Van Wezel project also illustrates the growing role of liquid-applied roofing systems in commercial applications. By extending roof life and enhancing durability, coatings continue to provide building owners with cost-effective alternatives to full replacement. 

This recognition highlights the strength of Sutter Roofing’s field teams and reinforces the importance of execution in achieving long-term performance. For contractors across the industry, the project serves as a strong example of how expertise and resilience can deliver award-winning results. 

Learn more about Sutter Roofing and their award-winning approach to roof coating design!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

With structured mentorship, cross-department training and early ownership of real projects, Sutter Roofing is shaping future leaders from day one. 

As Sutter Roofing enters its fifth generation of family involvement, President Brad Sutter is thinking about the future and who will carry the torch. “We try to have a 30-, 60-, 90-day plan,” he said on this episode of the People Make Roofing podcast. “What are they going to be exposed to in the first three days? What do you expect the takeaways after 30 days? What’s the skill set there?” 

Whether onboarding college graduates, interns or entry-level hires, Brad said the company prioritizes a more intentional introduction to the business rather than expecting new hires to figure things out on their own. Instead of simply assigning a desk and expecting immediate productivity, Sutter Roofing structures the early experience around guided exposure to different roles, processes and expectations. Brad contrasted that with the type of onboarding he experienced early in his career. “If they come in here and, you know, ‘Here’s your desk and here’s a computer, now get to work.’ That’s what I got,” he said. “We just need to be better than that.” 

The company isn’t just bringing in labor, it’s developing talent. “We’ve used internships the last couple of years to help us with some processes and to give some people exposure,” he explained. “It helps us not only with the projects they’re working on, but it gives us feedback on our company.” 

That feedback loop is intentional. “What did you think about working here? What are things that you wish we would have told you? What can we do better on day one?” These questions shape how Sutter Roofing evolves its onboarding and retention strategies. 

Even Brad’s own son took part in the summer internship program, contributing to a cost accounting study that helped him ace his college exam. “He said a lot of the stuff I used this summer really helps me understand how costs are broken out. And that’s why we do these things.” 

The company’s openness to new voices pays off. “They bring new thinking, they bring new technology. And they say, ‘Why don’t we just do it this way?’ And you look at it and go why didn’t we think of that?” 

The ultimate goal? A pipeline of employees who don’t just work at Sutter, they shape it. 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about how Sutter Roofing invests in tomorrow’s leaders!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Learn how this roofing company stays grounded in culture, values and a long-term view of success in an ever-changing industry. 

When asked about the biggest force driving Sutter Roofing’s longevity, Brad Sutter, owner of Sutter Roofing didn’t hesitate; it’s  people. “Having a capable staff is the only way companies could be successful,” he said on this episode of the People Make Roofing podcast. But in his view, it’s not just about hiring talent, it’s about building culture. 

“Once you start talking about people, then you start talking about specific companies. And then what you really are getting into is the culture of the company,” said Brad, whose fourth-generation roofing company has grown to four offices and nearly 300 employees in Florida. 

In an era of rapid consolidation and private equity rollups, Brad pointed out a key distinction: “It's all about growth. It's all about sales and dollars. And that's fine. But it attracts one type of person.” His company? It attracts another. For Brad, culture isn’t theoretical; it’s tactical. “We publish our core values. We talk about what's important here,” he explained. “It can be reinforced every day. And it can be ruined in a quick amount of time.” 

Brad believes culture starts at the top but lives in the everyday. “We talk about it from the bottom to the top,” he said. “This is what's important at this company. And we reinforce that and we talk about why that's important and what we're trying to achieve.” That focus shows up in small details like safety meetings and referral bonuses and in major decisions about hiring and leadership. 

He also emphasized the importance of attracting and developing younger generations by aligning them with the company’s values and mission. “You will never know what someone's aspirations are until you start asking those questions and try to see what they see as their own path,” he said. “We want them to see that there's room for advancement for them too. And that's an important factor.” 

For companies hoping to retain talent, Brad's message was simple: culture isn’t a slogan, it’s a system. “It may never be perfectly in alignment, but if your values are consistent and you're always moving down that track in that same direction, I think you get a lot of commitment and buy-in.” 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about how Sutter Roofing builds and protects its culture!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

A fourth-generation roofer reflects on his family’s roots, the values that shaped the business and the rise of Sutter Roofing from borrowed office space to a statewide operation. 

Sutter Roofing has been a staple in the roofing industry for more than a century. Now led by Brad Sutter, a fourth-generation member of the Sutter family to serve as president, the Florida-based commercial roofing firm is marking its 123rd year in business, an impressive milestone rooted in family values and long-term thinking as discussed on this episode of the People Make Roofing podcast. 

Founded in 1902 by Brad’s great grandfather in West Virginia, the company has evolved and expanded dramatically, particularly since relocating to Florida nearly 45 years ago. “It starts with my dad making the move from West Virginia to Florida,” Brad explained. “We had an office down here and it was doing pretty well. And one of our big customers down here really wanted a more local presence.” 

Brad’s father made the leap, literally starting with just himself and a desk in a borrowed office. “He borrowed from a friend he knew in high school,” Sutter said. “And now we have almost 300 employees and four offices.” 

Brad himself worked his way through the ranks, starting in the warehouse before branching out into service and repair, then eventually leading strategy and operations. His early experience gave him insight into every facet of the business, from fieldwork to financials. He shared, “Getting the work done is one pillar. Getting work, getting work done and then getting paid, those are really the three areas that are critical for any contracting business, but roofing especially.” 

More than just longevity, the Sutter name has come to represent something larger: consistency, quality and a commitment to the craft. “I'm very proud to be in the roofing industry,” Brad said. “I think shows like this, any forum that we have to get together and share information, it's important and it's beneficial to the industry.” 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about Sutter Roofing’s legacy and leadership!

By Permabond. 

One Florida roofer’s secret weapon sticks through sun, sand and storm. 

On Florida’s blistering rooftops, shortcuts don’t last. That’s why when Aaron Vento, a veteran at Sutter Roofing, talks shop, people listen. In a trade where failures lead to leaks, delays and expensive callbacks, Aaron has one go-to fix he won’t work without: PermaBond. What started as a solution for tough jobsite repairs has become a nonnegotiable staple in every truck and it’s not just for roofs. From metal panels to septic lids, this isn’t just another adhesive; it’s the kind of product pros swear by and homeowners wish they knew about sooner. 

Fast fixes on the job site 

When Aaron tackled a metal panel roof repair, he needed something strong and fast to seal around the fasteners near the edge. After a quick sanding, Permabond went to work: 

“The UV curing was incredibly fast — it sped up our whole workflow.” 

No wasted time. Just bond, sand and move on. 

Strength where it matters 

Permabond’s fiberglass-reinforced polyester wasn’t just durable — it was downright impressive. 

“You can put a screw right through it — and the ability to sand and paint it within minutes? Amazing.” 

It bonded perfectly to metal and acrylic and it hasn’t let Aaron down yet. In his words: 
Zero callbacks. 

The $300 home hack 

Not all great repairs happen on the clock. Aaron got creative with a broken fiberglass septic tank lid at home. Permabond sealed the hole and saved him $300. 

“Every repair truck needs to have this product.” 

In a category of its own 

When asked how Permabond compares to other products, Aaron didn’t hesitate: 

“It stands in its own category.” 

It’s quick-curing, ultra-strong and versatile enough for construction pros and home DIYers alike. 

Final thought 

Whether you’re sealing rooftop panels or plugging surprise holes in the backyard, Permabond delivers results that last. As Aaron put it: no callbacks, no compromises. 

Original article and photo source: PermaBond

By Emma Peterson. 

This expert panel of roofing professionals from Florida dived into the labor challenges that contractors have faced so far in 2025.  

At the beginning of June, The Coffee Shops™ crew got the chance to enjoy some of the Florida sunshine as they attended the 2025 Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA) trade show! While there, we hosted a special Coffee Conversations, sponsored by QXO and hosted live by Heidi J. Ellsworth. The expert panel of contractors and professionals working in the Florida market share their insights into what’s happening with the labor force.  

Our panel included Anissa Westfall, the director of marketing & growth at Westfall Roofing out of Tampa, Florida; Tracey Donnels from Service First Solutions; Michael Black, the VP of service and maintenance for Sutter Roofing Company in Florida and West Virginia; and Johnny Walker, who is a national technical manager for roofing waterproofing at ICP Group. 

Anissa started the conversation by sharing a bit about what she’s seen happening in the Florida market at the moment. “Construction is definitely being hit hard by immigration right now. And then of course the laborers that are staying are charging more per square. I think the New York Times predicted a 20% increase in construction labor. And then to top that off, we are experiencing material increases as well,” she shared. This challenge is one that is not only affecting the construction professionals, but Anissa also estimated that if it continues, we’re going to see consumers having to pay 20-40% more for a roof than they would have a couple years ago. 

Tracey echoed Anissa’s thoughts, adding, “A lot of the challenges are in the labor market and in training. I find a lot of contractors still aren't necessarily competing for jobs, they're competing for labor...We’ve actually seen a lot of contractors simply taking the word roofing out of the job posts.” This helps them reach a wider pool of professionals from different construction fields that can be then trained to work on the roof.  

Michael shared his thoughts about why widening your labor search is so key right now. He explained, “It’s hard to find labor, let alone skilled labor right now. Our industry is getting older and we're losing a lot of the roofers that have spent their whole life in the industry.” As that older generation leaves, there are not enough of the next generation coming in to replace them. And the newcomers are needing a lot of training in order to reach the same level as the average veteran roofer.  

While the recent challenges that Anissa mentioned are certainly exacerbating this labor issue, it is not a wholly new situation. Johnny explained, “We've been talking about the labor shortage in Florida for a decade. And a big problem is the lack of training. We’ve seen a couple places that have tried to get trade schools going, but on a national or larger societal level we’re seeing people get pushed towards higher education and away from things like trade school.” A lot of this shift comes from the lack of understanding that working in the trades is more than just a job; it is a career path that offers plenty of opportunity for growth. 

But even with all of these challenges facing contractors and professionals in Florida and beyond, the industry is coming together to try and find solutions. Just last year, Tim Weber from Carlisle Architectural Metals took some Florida students to SkillsUSA for roofing. There are apprenticeship programs in different cities that organizations like FRSA are working to organize certification training for. Tracey summed it up, “We need more, but there are some programs out there. Really, it boils down to contractors who are looking at the industry and deciding to go after their future employees as hard as they go after future sales.”  

Read the transcript, Listen to the episode or Watch the recording for more insights on both Florida and the larger roofing market from this incredible panel! 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Sutter Roofing is opening doors to opportunities in the roofing industry for high school students. 

Sutter Roofing, based in Sarasota, Florida, isn’t just about fixing roofs; they’re paving the way for the next generation of builders. Recently, they welcomed nearly 50 students from Riverview High School’s construction technology program and provided them with the opportunity to experience the roofing industry firsthand.  

“One of the best things about this industry is it’s tangible – you get to see what you worked on at the end of every day,” says Doug Sutter, the president of Sutter Roofing, in an interview with Business Observer. Highlighting the importance of the applied nature of the industry and how it differs from the more theoretical concepts learned in a classroom. 

During the visit, students immersed themselves in demonstrations and learned about notable projects the company was involved in including the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport terminal expansion and the Selby Gardens and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. These experiences provided students with an awareness of the diversity within the industry as well as the potential for growth given the projected value of the roofing industry being placed at $344 billion by 2033.  

Foreman supervisor at Sutter Roofing, Branson Chrisman, also shared his journey while emphasizing the value of an open mindset and willingness to embrace challenges when choosing an alternative path compared to the traditional college experience.  

Providing students with alternative career options is central to Sutter Roofing’s mission as stated by the Human Resources Manager, Paula Pelaez, “Our goal is to expose the kids that are not looking to go to college to the idea that there is another path.” 

By engaging with high school students, Sutter Roofing is nurturing the future workforce and instilling a deep appreciation for the roofing industry. As Doug aptly put it, “Roofing is just a great industry,” representing their commitment to sharing their passion and building a promising future for the industry by inspiring the leaders of tomorrow. 

Image source: Business Observer