If you were in New Orleans during NRCA's 116th Annual Convention and Exhibit, you know convention attendees took over the city from Feb. 11-14. In fact, people could hear NRCA's influence on Bourbon Street as singers in bars changed the words of the song "YMCA" to "NRCA" and deejays regularly asked, "Are there any roofers in the house?"
Convention attendance was strong with a total of 6,295 attendees, about 5 percent more than NRCA's 115th Annual Convention and Exhibit in San Antonio. Despite exhibit spaces and exhibitor personnel numbers decreasing, 351 companies exhibited in New Orleans compared with 344 companies in San Antonio.
In addition to solid attendance, several events also made the convention a success. Following are highlights from NRCA's 116th Annual Convention and Exhibit.
Giuliani
During the Opening Luncheon on Feb. 12, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani addressed about 1,300 people. Giuliani spoke the unbridled truth about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and potential war with Iraq, which he supports, and made the audience reflect on the state of the world.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (center) discussed a potential war with Iraq and the Sept. 11, 2001, events during the Opening Luncheon. NRCA President Don McCrory (left), president of Kiker Corp., Mobile, Ala., and NRCA Immediate Past President Mike Promen, president of Clark Roofing Co., Broadview, Ill., applauded Giuliani's remarks.
Giuliani discussed the importance of business owners being prepared for biological events or suicide-bomber attacks. He says business owners should institute systems to keep employees safe during attacks and perform drills so everyone knows what to do if anthrax or other substances are released into the air.
When talking about potential biological or similar terrorist attacks, Giuliani says: "Once you prepare for all things that can happen, you have to relax, which I know sounds strange. … The best way to relax is with courage."
Giuliani defines courage as including the presence of fear. He says, "You have to feel fear to have courage."
Knowing his speech had put the audience into a somber state, Giuliani ended with a humorous account of an event that occurred Sept. 14, 2001, when President Bush visited ground zero. Giuliani recounted how Bush developed camaraderie with volunteer construction workers, who expressively offered retaliation options against Osama bin Laden. Secret Service agents were concerned about ground zero's stability and safety, and they did not like construction workers getting too close to the president.
Giuliani reports one construction worker extensively talked with Bush, got caught up in the moment and hugged him. Giuliani says, "The president was lost in the worker's arms."
During the hug, a Secret Service agent pointed his finger in Giuliani's face and said, "If this guy kills the president, you're finished." Giuliani warmly responded, "But [he would die] out of love."
Being recognized
Before Giuliani spoke, NRCA's 2003 Annual Gold Circle Awards were presented. NRCA created the Gold Circle Awards in 1995 to recognize its members for outstanding contributions to the roofing industry in the following categories: workmanship, innovative solutions in new construction, innovative solutions in reroofing, service to the community and service to the industry.
The following received Gold Circle Awards for the corresponding categories: workmanship—James Myers Co. Inc., Beltsville, Md., for the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C.; innovative solutions in new construction—Chadwick Technology Property Ltd., Forestville, New South Wales, Australia, for the Adelaide Convention Centre Extension, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; innovative solutions in reroofing—Roof Technologies Inc., Harvey, La., for the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, New Orleans; and service to the community—Furey Roofing and Construction Co. Inc., Providence, R.I., for the Sargent Rehabilitation Center, Warwick, R.I., and Great Lakes Roofing Corp., Germantown, Wis., for the Survive Alive House University, Germantown. No entries were received for service to the industry.
Other roofing professionals were recognized for their contributions to the industry during the CNA-sponsored Member Breakfast on Feb. 13. The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress granted 10 roofing workers its third annual Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards.
The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress awarded roofing workers its third annual Most Valuable Player Awards.
To qualify for the award, nominees could not hold positions higher than foreman. Roofing workers were nominated for outstanding on-the-job performance; attracting new roofing workers and helping retain existing workers; contributions to team effort; community service and volunteerism; and other noteworthy contributions and activities.
Judges included representatives from contracting, manufacturing and supplier companies. Decisions were based on evidence of professionalism; uniqueness or significance of a nominee's contributions; and how companies, co-workers, customers and communities benefit from a nominee. Following are this year's winners:
For information about the 2004 MVP Awards, call Chris Seidel, executive director of the National Roofing Foundation, at (847) 299-9070, Ext. 7564; e-mail cseidel@nrca.net; or fax (847) 299-1183.
Also during the breakfast, NRCA's Charlie Raymond Award was presented to Rosemary Oldham, marketing service manager for GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J. The award, which is named after former NRCA President and J.A. Piper Award winner Charlie Raymond, is presented to the NRCA member who recruited the most members during the past year. Oldham recruited 10 members.
After awards were presented, John Powers spoke to breakfast attendees. Powers, who created and produced the Broadway musical "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?" entertained the audience with humorous stories about his childhood in Chicago and being a father, as well as anecdotes about being left-handed and Catholic.
After Powers spoke, NRCA tried something new—its first Industry Day. Industry Day featured customized educational tracks for various industry segments. Courses were held for building owners, commercial contractors, designers/roof consultants, distributors, metal contractors and residential contractors. The programs were well-attended and well-received.
Valentine's Day
NRCA tried to make Valentine's Day special for its convention attendees. Attendees had the opportunity to attend the National Roofing Legal Resource Center (NRLRC) Breakfast and a Paddlewheel Luncheon Cruise on the Mississippi River.
And the Final Banquet provided attendees with an enjoyable culmination of the week's activities. Female attendees were presented with roses, and everyone was entertained by the music of Tyn Tymes. Those at the banquet received a surprise when NRCA President Don McCrory, president of Kiker Corp., Mobile, Ala., played saxophone with the band.
During the banquet, NRCA's prestigious J.A. Piper Award was presented to NRCA's counsel, Stephen Phillips, a partner with the Atlanta-based law firm Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman & Flatt. The award recognizes a roofing professional who has devoted constant, outstanding service to NRCA and the roofing industry. It is appropriate Phillips received the award during an NRCA convention—he has attended every convention since 1977 and presented programs for the past 25 years.
2002 J.A. Piper Award winner Conrad Kawulok (right), president of B & M Roofing of Colorado, Boulder, presented NRCA's counsel, Stephen Phillips, a partner with the law firm Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman & Flatt, Atlanta, with NRCA's 2003 J.A. Piper Award.
Phillips received his bachelor's degree in 1971 from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. During college, Phillips began training to write for Professional Roofing—Phillips was editor-in-chief of The Hatchet, the university newspaper. In 1976, Phillips received his law degree from Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, and began working in a private law practice representing roofing contractors.
Phillips made his most notable contribution to the roofing industry by establishing the National Roofing Litigation Center, now known as NRLRC, in 1979. Since then, NRLRC has grown to include 360 roofing contractor members. NRLRC compiles roofing-related legal-case histories and develops strategies to help contractors understand legal issues and reduce contractors' legal fees.
"Since the late 1970s, Stephen has helped roofing contractors address roof system problems, liability concerns, regulatory agency intervention in the construction industry, asbestos-containing roofing materials, insurance coverage issues, building codes, contractual matters, safety alertness and many more challenges," says 2002 J.A. Piper Award winner Conrad Kawulok, president of B & M Roofing of Colorado Inc., Boulder. "It seems that as soon as contractors have a handle on current issues, new ones are on the horizon. Thank God we have Stephen to help us."
NRCA is not the only organization to recognize Phillips. Phillips received a U.S. Army Commendation Medal in 1974 for "distinguished meritorious service and achievement from May 1972 to December 1974, including exemplary performance while [serving] as an administrative specialist." In 1995, he was elected as a Fellow in the American College of Construction Lawyers in recognition of distinguished service in the practice of construction law.
Phillips notes: "I am thrilled and greatly honored to be considered in the same class as others who have won the J.A. Piper Award. I have been fortunate to work with dedicated NRCA staff members and professional roofing contractors, and I'm looking forward to continuing to do so."
Kawulok adds, "Stephen's receipt of this year's J.A. Piper Award enriches the value and honor it carries, and it was a highlight in my career to have been able to present it to him."
First presented in 1948, the J.A. Piper Award is named for former NRCA President Joseph A. Piper, whose extraordinary efforts kept the association alive during the Great Depression.
San Diego
New Orleans' sunny, warm climate gave many attendees a break from below-zero temperatures and snow that struck other U.S. areas in February. But attendees can expect even better weather in San Diego, the site of NRCA's 117th Annual Convention and Exhibit to be held Feb. 22-25, 2004.
NRCA hopes attendee growth will continue and exhibitor numbers will climb in San Diego. Attendees will be able to continue the fun, learning and networking that occurred in New Orleans and once again make their mark on an exciting, vibrant city.
Kate Gawlik is associate editor of Professional Roofing magazine.
New term
NRCA's 2003-04 slate of officers was announced during the Opening Luncheon and confirmed after the National Roofing Legal Resource Center Breakfast. Terms begin June 1.
John Gooding, chairman of the board for Gooding Simpson & Mackes, Ephrata, Pa., was named NRCA president. Gooding served as NRCA senior vice president from 2002-03 and director during 1989-92, 1994-95, 1995-96 and 1999-2002. Gooding also was a vice president during 1997-2000 and served on several committees. Gooding was chairman of the Substance Abuse, NRCA/SPRI Liaison, and Health and Safety committees, as well as others.
Dane Bradford, president of Bradford Roof Management, Billings, Mont., was named senior vice president. Bradford served as NRCA vice president from 1996-98 and 2000-02 and director from 1992-95 and 1998-2000. Bradford has served on several NRCA committees since 1991 and was chairman of the 12th Conference Task Force, International Conference Task Force, North American Conference Task Force and Technical Operations Committee.
In addition, three vice presidents were elected to two-year terms. New vice presidents include Robert Daly Jr., president of Kaw Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Kansas City, Kan.; Mark Gaulin, president of MAGCO Inc., Jessup, Md.; and William Hamlin Jr., president of Hamlin Roofing Co. Inc., Garner, N.C.
NRCA's new directors' names can be found in "Briefings."
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