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After two years, roofing professionals return to Washington, D.C., for Roofing Day in D.C. 2022

by Ambika Puniani Reid

  • Constituents from Texas meet with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
  • A group of Florida roofing professionals outside the Capitol.
  • Mike Baird, COO of Insulated Roofing, New Albany, Ind., meets with Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-Ind.).
  • Tupac de la Cruz, founder of Roofing Solutions LLC, Prairieville, La., and an NRCA vice chairman, meets with Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.).
  • Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) addresses participants.
  • Congressional chiefs of staff provide pointers for how to have a successful congressional meeting.
  • NRCA Chairman of the Board Kyle Thomas and former NRCA CEO Reid Ribble enjoy a great view.
  • Allen Lancaster, vice president of Metalcrafts, a Tecta America company LLC, Savannah, Ga., and Geoff Mitchell, CEO of Mid-South Roof Systems, Forest Park, Ga., meet with their representative from Georgia.
  • Duane Musser, NRCA’s vice president of government relations, addresses attendees.
  • Former NRCA Chairman of the Board Rod Petrick and Rob Kornahrens, CEO of Advanced Roofing Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
  • Don Fry, president of Fry Roofing Inc., San Antonio, Ty Smith, owner of Smith and Ramirez Roofing, El Paso, Texas, and Bill Baley, president and CEO of C.I. Services Inc., Mission Viejo, Calif.
  • Scott Ketcham, director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s construction directorate for the Biden administration.
  • Chris Riskus, vice president of technical services, Centimark Corp., Canonsburg, Pa., and Josh Kelly, senior vice president of OMG Roofing Products, Agawam, Mass.

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented in-person events for two years, but on April 5-6, 225 roofing professionals were able to gather in Washington, D.C., for Roofing Day in D.C. 2022, the largest advocacy event focused on the roofing industry.

On April 5, participants received advocacy training and an issue briefing, and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) gave a keynote address. On April 6, participants attended a breakfast program with Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), learned about best practices for Capitol Hill visits from a chief of staff panel, and visited the offices of their representatives and senators either in person or virtually.

During 174 congressional visits, participants discussed workforce funding and education, supply chain challenges, immigration reform, and career and technical education.

Roofing Day in D.C. continues to be a valuable experience for roofing professionals from all segments of the industry and allows them to interact directly with lawmakers whose actions affect their businesses. Mark your calendar for next year’s event April 18-19, 2023.

AMBIKA PUNIANI REID is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA’s vice president of communications.

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