Category: <span>RT3</span>

Category: RT3

John Kenney Named COO and Technical Director of Cotney Construction Law

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Cotney Construction Law (CCL), the leading national law firm for the roofing industry is pleased to announce the appointment of John Kenney as Chief Operating Officer and Technical Director for CCL.  With over 45-years’ experience in the roofing industry working with some of the largest roofing contractors, Kenney brings a wealth of experience in construction that will help CCL continue to grow while providing the best service and support for roofing contractors across the country.

Kenney will oversee operations for CCL along with providing business and technical consulting for CCL customers.  “We are excited to have John join our team.  Not only is he a skilled operations professional but he also understands construction and can help our customers with technical questions, concerns and planning,” stated Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Construction Law.  “We believe there is a huge need in the industry for basic business consulting that can help contractors run a profitable and sustainable business.  It works hand-in-hand with the CCL subscription services that provide ongoing legal and risk management.  We are also looking forward to adding John to our list of skilled lobbyists in Florida.”

Kenney started his career by working as a roofing apprentice at a family business in the Northeast, quickly moving up to manage many successful projects in the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania markets before continuing his executive career in Florida.  He has worked for multiple Top 100 roofing contractors running every aspect of a contracting business.  He is intimately familiar with all aspects of roofing production, estimating, and operations.

Kenney is well-known for his philanthropy and volunteerism.  He is president of the West Coast Roofing Contractors Association and has been involved with the organization for twenty years.

Kenney will support the CCL team who currently serves as General Counsel or affinity partner for National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA) and several of its affiliates, Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA), Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors (TARC), National Women in Roofing (NWIR), Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), Tile Roofing Institute (TRI), IIBEC Florida and the National Slate Association (NSA).  The firm is known for their industry advocacy, philanthropy and overall commitment to the roofing industry.

To learn more about Cotney Construction Law, please visit www.cotneycl.com or call (866) 303-5868.

About Cotney Construction Law

Cotney Construction Law is a national law firm that provides representation for the construction industry.  Experienced in the representation of businesses and professionals in construction disputes and transactions, Cotney is a well-known advisor and legal counsel in the construction industry.  The firm’s practice areas include construction law, litigation, arbitration, contract review & drafting, immigration, employment, OSHA defense, licensing defense, bid protests, lien law, bond law and alternative dispute resolution.  The firm has offices throughout Florida as well as locations in Birmingham, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Grand Rapids, Houston, Nashville, and Portland, OR.  For more information, visit www.cotneycl.com.

RT3 member Harness launches free app to help contractors battle COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

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The App will help businesses keep workers informed, safe, & productive during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Harness Software announces the availability of a FREE Safety Meeting/Toolbox Talk App that will enable construction companies to disseminate virus-related information to their remote workforces and help them document employee meetings. This app is immediately available to all construction companies in North America

The app includes access to the latest content from reputable sources such as the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and National Institutes of Health (NIH).  All information within the app will be organized into short talks with emphasis on points relevant to construction workers.

  • The app will be updated automatically as more information becomes available
  • All material will be available in English & Spanish
  • Foremen or Supervisors will be able to quickly capture names and signatures from the attendees of each safety meeting/toolbox talk
  • PDF records of each meeting can be automatically emailed back to the office
  • THE APP WORKS ON ALL MOBILE DEVICES

“Construction workers don’t have the option to work from home.  Companies need easy access to the information necessary to protect their employees and keep them as productive as possible during this crisis.  We are all in this together.  That’s why we’re launching this free resource,” said Tom Whitaker, CEO of Harness Software.  Existing Harness Software customers will also receive enhanced resources as part of this program to battle fear & the spread of the disease.

Find out more and access the app at www.harnessup.com/covid19

RT3 announces special webinar: Virtualizing your roofing business in light of coronavirus

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The RT3 special on March 18 features experts in marketing, sales, technology and legal areas who will discuss how to virtualize your business as well as legal ramifications to consider.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced a special webinar that is open to the industry. Virtualizing your Roofing Business in Light of the Coronavirus is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

During this worldwide epidemic, many owners of roofing companies have questions and concerns about their ability to thrive in this uncharted territory. Join the following experts to hear their insights on how a roofing company can virtualize their business to avoid the inevitable impact of the virus.

  • Host and Marketing Expert: Anna Anderson, Art Unlimited
  • Sales Expert: Ryan Groth, Sales Transformation Group
  • Commercial Roofing: Steve Little, KPost Roofing & Waterproofing
  • Residential Roofing: Ken Kelly, Kelly Roofing
  • Legal Ramification Expert: Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law

Register to attend the webinar.

Stay up to date with all RT3 news and events by signing up for the RT3 SmartBrief Newsletter at www.rt3thinktank.com.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry. RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses. With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

 

RT3 Members to attend and participate in Diversity & Inclusion Forum

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Having a strong record of diversity, equity, and inclusivity is critical to attract top talent, so make plans now to attend the inaugural Diversity + Inclusion Forum on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park.

Brought to you by the National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing and the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, the Diversity + Inclusion Forum 2020 will help you identify ways to engage underrepresented groups, develop resources to increase your cultural competency, and educate you on why supporting diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion is a business imperative to strengthen your workforce.

During the event, dynamic industry leaders and stakeholders will discuss sustainable strategies for advancing diversity and inclusion and share best practices on how to effectively lead in a diverse and inclusive culture. Throughout the day, you also will have the opportunity to meet and network with fellow roofing and industry professionals from across the U.S. who also are striving to achieve inclusive, culturally diverse and competent workforces.

9:30 a.m. -Registration/Networking Coffee

10 a.m. -Welcome and Overview of Day

  • National Roofing Contractors Association (Reid Ribble)
  • National Women in Roofing (Jennifer Stone)
  • California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (Julian Canete)

10:30 a.m. – Why Inclusion and Diversity are Essential to Foster High Performing Teams

High-performance teams that advocate for diversity and inclusive behaviors and include a diversity of age, gender, race and ethnicity, or geographic and national culture, allows the company to better serve its consumers. In addition to a mixture of age, gender, and cultural backgrounds, “cognitive” diversity, which is mixing people together with different thinking styles, habits and perspectives, often allows teams to achieve better outcomes and become much more multidisciplinary. Learn how collaboration becomes a tool to access your company’s ‘why’ in more distinctive and boundless ways, ultimately aligning you both internally and externally with your customers.

Presenter: Leah Maguire, Vice President of Inclusion and Diversity, Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio

11 a.m. – Why Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Matter to Your Business’ Bottom Line

Diverse and inclusive workplaces ultimately impact the bottom line in numerous ways. Diversity supports business performance by helping companies generate unique ideas that can improve the quality of decision making. And, individual identities shape how people experience, learn, and perceive the world, which is then reflected in the different perspectives and skillsets they bring. Our speaker will share how this new source of insight and talent sparks creativity and leads to the formation of new ideas, which ultimately helps businesses progress.

Presenter: Julian Francis, President/CEO, Beacon Building Products, Herndon, Va.

11:30 a.m. – Eliminating Barriers: Building Diverse and Inclusive Organizations

In today’s extremely competitive yet socially conscious business environment, one of the best ways to sustain an innovative organization is to create an inclusive and diverse organization. When a company creates a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion, they are often faced with barriers within and outside their organization. This session will discuss what some of those barriers can be, how to overcome them, and how to ensure that efforts are maximized.

Presenter: Julian Canete, CEO, California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Sacramento, CA

Noon – Luncheon/Keynote Speaker(s), Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) (invited)

1 p.m. – Leading in a Diverse and Inclusive Culture – Industry Panel

Leading in a diverse and inclusive culture gives you deeper insights into yourself, your team, and the benefits of inclusion at all levels in your organization. Panelists will share best practices, as well as insights and strategies to develop competencies and get tools to create an environment fueled by engagement and innovation.

Panelists:

Mardee Billingsley, Executive Vice President, Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance, Beachwood, Ohio

Leo Ibarra, Vice President, Blue’s Roofing Co., Milpitas, Calif.

Sherri Miles, President, Miles Roofing Inc., Chesapeake, Va.

James Thomas, President/CEO, Topps Products, Canton, Miss.

Elizabeth Walters, Marketing & Business Operations Manager, Derbigum Americas Inc., Kansas City, Mo.

Heidi Ellsworth (moderator), President, HJE Consulting, Camp Sherman, Ore.

2 p.m. -Takeaways/Networking Mixer

2:30 p.m. -Register/Check-in—Roofing Day in D.C. 2020

3 p.m. – Opening Program—Roofing Day in D.C. 2020

Get more information or register online here.

Roofing Technology Think Tank Launches Podcast

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The RT3 Podcast highlights emerging and disruptive solutions that help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced the launch of the RT3 Podcast, hosted by Ryan Groth RT3 board member and founder of Sales Transformation Group.

“The podcast was an idea brought to the table by the RT3 communications task team as one more way that we can provide education and promote the use of technology in the roofing industry,” explained Groth. “It is our hope that listeners will be able to learn from the guests and find solutions that they can implement into their own businesses.”

In the first episode, Ryan is joined by Curtis Sutton and Michelle Boykin, the CEO and COO of Rackley Roofing, respectively and winners of the RT3 2019 Innovator of the Year award. They discuss the kinds of employees to look for, brand innovation by becoming the official roofer of the Tennessee Titans, and investing with trainers to empower your employees. They conclude by going in-depth on the future of roofing and how to adopt and integrate software to help streamline everyday operations.

The second episode features Charles Antis, CEO of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing. Ryan and Charles go in depth as to what, and more importantly, why you should implement some of these innovative and adaptive strategies with your brand and positioning.

The podcast will release new episodes every month. Future episode releases will feature Ken Kelly of Kelly Roofing and Rast Bryant from Target Roofing and Sheet Metal. Listen on your favorite podcast platform or find us on Apple podcasts.

Stay up to date with all RT3 news and events by signing up for the RT3 SmartBrief Newsletter at www.rt3thinktank.com.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry. RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses. With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

RT3 has strong presence at 2020 International Roofing Expo®

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By Karen L. Edwards.

The International Roofing Expo (IRE) is the roofing industry’s largest educational conference and exposition. RT3 members took advantage of the opportunity to share their knowledge and educate others while also learning at the same time.

The week started on Sunday, February 2 with National Women in Roofing Day. The opening Turbo Talks featured RT3 board member Anna Anderson, speaking about what RT3 is and sharing a glimpse of the technologies that are currently being used in the industry as well as what is coming.

On Monday, February 3, nearly 50 RT3 members met at the Omni Hotel and were shuttled to fellow member KPost Roofing & Waterproofing headquarters for a technology tour. KPost partners Steve Little, Keith Post and Jayne Williams opened their operations and shared the technologies that they have implemented and the difference that it has made for their company’s productivity and efficiency.

Following the operations tour, RT3 members saw a live demonstration of the Mini Macaden, which automates the installation of modified bitumen membrane, reducing the number of crew needed and increasing the speed and quality of the installation while dramatically reducing the amount of propane used. Steve shared that they learned about the automated machine after losing a phase two project bid to a Canadian contractor that came in $700,000 lower. Knowing the requirements of the project, the KPost team was baffled as to how they could have bid so low. To find out the answer, Steve’s team visited the jobsite to see how they were doing the work. That’s when they saw the Mini Macaden in use.

After touring the KPost Roofing & Waterproofing campus, RT3 members visited and toured Globe Life Field, the new home of the Texas Rangers that features a retractable roof. Steve and his project team shared the details of the roof installation and the challenges of installing the PVC membrane on the curved roof.

Tuesday, February 3 started off with the RT3 Contractor Technology panel featuring Ken Kelly, Steve Little, Michelle Boykin, Josey Parks and moderator Heidi Ellsworth. The well-attended session covered how each of these contractors is using technology in their everyday business, including augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and more. The goal was to educate contractors and share their experiences to help others consider and implement the valuable technologies that are elevating the roofing industry.

The conversation continues weekly on social media and through the SmartBrief e-newsletter. Follow us on Twitter (@RT3_ThinkTank) and join our Roofing Technology Innovators group on Facebook.

RT3 member Kelly Roofing donates material and labor for new roof

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Protecting Naples roofs with care, consistency, innovation and using expertise for the good of hurricane survivors.

Kelly Roofing, a roofing contractor dedicated to serving their industry and state with care, consistency and communication, gives away a free roof to a local family in need every holiday season.

This holiday season, Gloria and her family were chosen because of her financial struggles after her husband abandoned her 12 years ago, leaving her with three mouths to feed. To provide for her family, Gloria engages in multiple activities to improve her income and cut down the costs of living. Overall, Gloria is a hardworking and dedicated single mother. More importantly, Gloria believes deeply in God and seeks His guidance in her life.

Other than Gloria’s financial troubles, there is a hole in her bedroom ceiling due to a consistent roof leak. Unfortunately, her insurance company declined her claim stating the roof only required repair and then dropped her because the deductible was more than a standard repair. With several attempts to repair the roof on her own, nothing seemed to work. When meeting her, it was found she had a tarp over the hole to prevent water from entering her bedroom.

Kelly Roofing partnered with Habitat for Humanity, ABC Supply, Owens Corning and many customers to provide a new roof for Gloria’s family. They are using shingles donated from Owens Corning, Woodgate and several other customers who share the same compassion. Donations from positive surveys given on Google and Facebook pages were also received to aid in the free roof replacement (https://www.kellyroofing.com/freeroof). Aside from the roof, they are working on funding a new bike for Gloria’s son to use to get back and forth to work.

Every year Kelly Roofing is blessed to be able to give a roof away. They always welcome partnerships from the local community, including satisfied customers through the Free Roof Project, Habitat for Humanity and other regional entities to provide free roof replacements to families in need. People wishing to help can also support this initiative by contacting Kelly Roofing.

Kelly Roofing is a family-owned company, serving Naples and the surrounding areas since 1972. Serving residential and commercial property owners with customer-forward thinking has been their goal from day one. All Kelly Roofing employees live by the core values of Care, Communicate and Consistency, allowing them to provide outstanding workmanship using the most advanced methods. To learn more about Kelly Roofing, go to http://www.kellyroofing.com.

Source: RoofersCoffeeShop. 

High-rise reroof project finds success with technology

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By Karen L. Edwards.

Technology ensured the tapered polyiso system was accurate, kept the project on budget and provided daily progress photos for the owner.

The Regatta at Vanderbilt Beach provides a carefree lifestyle to the owners and residents of the luxury condominium community located in Naples, Florida. Just 700-feet from the white sands of the Gulf Coast, the units offer beautiful views of Vanderbilt Bay and are ideally situated for taking in breathtaking sunsets.

Owners want to enjoy the warm weather of southwest Florida as well as the amenities offered by the community. They don’t want to have to worry about whether the roof will protect their homes and what system is the best solution for the building.

That condo association turned to RT3 member Target Roofing & Sheet Metal for help. One of the Regatta’s high-rise condominiums needed it’s 15,000-square-foot roof replaced. Rast Bryant, sales manager at Target Roofing & Sheet Metal explained that they decided to install a complete GAF roofing system using GAF EnergyGuard PolyISO, Liberty SBS Base Ply, GAF Ruberoid Mid Ply and Ruberoid HW Plus Granule Fire Rated Cap Sheet.

The project had some unique challenges. The flashing on the existing roof extended 34 inches up the wall and the entire old system needed to be torn off, including nearly two feet of lightweight insulating concrete that would be replaced with an insulation system that provided better R-value and drained correctly.

Once they reached the deck, it was time for the EnergyGuard PolyISO to be installed. Rast said that putting together the layers of insulation was similar to putting a puzzle together since the pieces had to be tapered to the existing drainage system to ensure it is promoting positive drainage. “Technology wise, we used a computer software called The Edge Estimating Software to help us design a taper package that is not only the most cost effective but was designed to create the proper flow to the drainage systems,” Rast explained.

Once insulation was adhered to one another and to the deck, crews installed the first ply of the modified bitumen sheet. Once the cap sheet was torched down, granules were placed over the areas of bleed out to ensure optimal performance.

Target Roofing & Sheet Metal used technology to assist throughout the project. “We used our project management software to track the project as it progressed. This platform created daily progress photo reports for us to send to our customers, tracked our materials and labor to ensure we stayed on budget, and helped us determine what percentage of completion we were at in order to adjust our overall company project schedules accordingly,” said Rast. “This platform also tracks product and labor warranties, annual maintenance scheduling and more for post-job follow up.”

Watch a video recap of the project from start to finish.

RT3 plans activities around the 2020 International Roofing Expo

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Activities include a rooftop technology tour and a contractor technology educational panel.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced activities scheduled for the International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2020.

Dallas, Texas-based RT3 member KPost Roofing & Waterproofing will host members of RT3 at their corporate headquarters. The meetup will allow members to tour the facility of the official roofing partner of the Dallas Cowboys where they will learn about the types of technology that KPost uses in their operations.

RT3 will also host an educational panel on Tuesday, February 4 at 7:45 a.m. The session is titled Contractor to Contractor: Technology Innovation Panel and features five contractors sharing their successes and challenges with implementing technology into sales and marketing, operations, back office, health and safety and recruiting.

The panel will be moderated by RT3 member Heidi Ellsworth, Partner at RoofersCoffeeShop® and attendees will be able to:

  • Evaluate what technologies progressive contractors are using to help their business.
  • Identify what challenges came with implementation of technology and how they overcame it.
  • Evaluate how technology can make their business more efficient, streamlined and more profitable.
  • Meet other contractors who you can reach out to after the presentation for support and guidance in selecting technologies to implement in your business.

The panel participants include RT3 contractor members Steve Little, President of KPOST Roofing and Waterproofing; Ken Kelly, President of Kelly Roofing; Gregg Wallick, Best Roofing; Michelle Boykin, COO of Rackley Roofing; and Josey Parks, CEO of J Wales Enterprises.

“The contractors on the panel are completely honest and open about how technology has impacted their businesses and what it took to get where they are today,” stated Karen Edwards, RT3 Director. “They are leading the way in using technology and want to educate and encourage other contractors to join them for the overall advancement of the roofing industry. They will discuss augmented reality, robotics, artificial intelligence, software stacks and more – all technologies that they are using daily in their own businesses.”

Stay up to date with all RT3 news and events by signing up for the RT3 SmartBrief Newsletter at www.rt3thinktank.com.

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About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry.  RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses.  With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.