Top January articles: Awards, education and more

By Emma Peterson. 

From prestigious industry awards to major mergers, here are the top ten stories kicking off the year. 

We might only be one month into 2026, but it’s already been a busy year! From trade shows like International Roofing Expo (IRE) and World of Concrete (WOC) to industry-shaking mergers and investments, a lot has happened. To help you keep up to date on everything, we’ve collected the top ten articles from this past month.  

In the top spot for January 2026 is the announcement of Lindy Ryan of Tecta America as the recipient of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s J.A. Piper Award. This award is incredibly prestigious, recognizing “roofing professionals who have devoted constant outstanding service to the association and roofing industry.” There is no one more deserving than Lindy, who first started working with NRCA in 1996 and would, in 2015, be the first woman in 129 years to serve as NRCA president.  

In the second and third place on the January 2026 list comes an article by Cotney Consulting Group highlighting the importance of construction drawing fluency and the announcement of Bone Dry Roofing and Innovative Roofing Group merging to become BDI Roofing Group, respectively.  

Check out the complete January 2026 list 

10 - Using AI to strengthen operations, not replace people by Emma Peterson

9 - QXO announces $1.2 billion convertible preferred equity investment led by Apollo to fund future acquisitions

8 - Safety in every lift, load and mile by Emma Peterson

7 - A to B Roofing Partners announces next acquisition partnership

6 - Building science: The key to high-performance structures by Emma Peterson

5 - Combining aesthetics and performance by Emma Peterson

4 - National Roofing Partners hosts partner happy hour at IRE 2026 by National Roofing Partners

3 - Two leading Northern Georgia roofing contractors merge to form BDI Roofing Group

2 - Reading beyond the roof plan by Cotney Consulting Group

1 - Lindy Ryan receives prestigious NRCA J.A. Piper Award