By Emma Peterson. 

Dive into the key role that company culture plays in building and retaining top talent.  

At the core of the roofing industry are the people who represent and advocate for it. Our businesses are all about serving customers, and a strong, talented internal team is the key to success. But building that team can be hard in an industry that has a seemingly constant labor shortage. To learn more about building and retaining a base of reliable employees, Heidi J. Ellsworth hosted Amy Staska, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen Greeves, Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy McIntyre, WTI's CM development manager for an episode of Coffee Conversations®. 

Retention is a key part of a successful business. Amy explained, “When people leave, you’re not only losing their specific talents, but you’re also losing money and having to spend more time and energy to recruit a replacement for them.”  

So, how do you build a company that people want to stay at? It’s all about building a company culture that is comfortable and supportive. Amy elaborated, “I'm a huge proponent of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and truly believe that when people feel like they're safe and secure, when they feel like they belong, they're going to be able to work better and they're going to stay.” 

A simple way to start building such a culture i by having individual conversations with employees. Mandy shared:  

A lot of building a culture that retains employees is having one-on-one, face-to-face time, where you touch base with new hires, get to know them as a person and see how things are going. It sounds small, but it really goes a long way to build that psychological safety, build that confidence and build engagement. That is the foundation for a strong culture.  

This is something that Maureen and the team at Tremco are working to implement in their operations. She explained, “Culture starts at the top, and our president James McDonald takes the time to have what he calls ‘James unfiltered calls.’ In these calls he talks to individuals in the company at the field technician/foreman level to hear what’s going on, to know them as people and build that culture that retain people.”  

Want to learn more about building a culture of retention? Tune in to the whole podcast with Amy, Mandy and Maureen!

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about engaging and retaining new hires through intentional training. 

In a new episode of Coffee Conversations®, Heidi J. Ellsworth is joined by a panel of industry leaders to talk about the importance of contractors helping new hires engage and connect with their company. This panel included Amy Staska, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen Greeves, Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy McIntyre, WTI's CM development manager.  

Amy has been with the NRCA for over 20 years, and bringing new talent to the roofing industry has been a top concern during her tenure. She explained, “Training’s not cheap and a lot of contractors worry about if new hires are going to stick around...” The problem with this is that it creates a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy where contractors hold new hires at an arm’s length to make sure they’re serious about the job, and new hires are unable to show their interest in the job because of that distance.  

So, how do you build a company that can avoid this pattern? Mandy shared, “I think the industry sometimes forgets about the human component of hiring. Those new people have emotions, they have goals, they have questions, they have fears and if you can cultivate people to be the best versions of themselves, that’s when you’re going to engage them and retain talent.” 

The key to cultivating them into the best version of themselves? Intentionality. Amy explained:  

At NRCA, we talk constantly about the idea of doing intentional training. It’s impossible to train all your new people to be experts immediately. But if you work towards conversational competence, so that someone can go up onto a roof and at least is going to understand a little bit of what's happening, and will be able to have better conversations with the crew there, they’re going to be more connected to your company and more likely to stay to keep learning. 

This is something that Maureen and the others on her team at Tremco have implemented over the last couple of decades. She shared, “We grew very fast, and one of the downsides of that is you can lose some of that intentionality that Amy mentioned. We realized that was happening, so we made changes.” Some changes were bigger, like hiring Mandy into her current role, but others were smaller, like opening conversations. Maureen elaborated, “We started simply talking to people and making sure they knew that they were a part of something bigger. And just that has been tremendous.”  

Mandy summed the entire conversation up well, saying, “At the end of the day, it's all about actions and feelings. If you're having a problem retaining people and recruiting people, take a good, hard look at what's going on and make some intentional changes to help people belong.” 

Watch the entire Coffee Conversation to hear more of Amy, Mandy and Maureen’s discussion.

In this Coffee Conversations®, Heidi J. Ellsworth is joined by industry leaders to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing roofing and construction companies today: how to successfully onboard, train and retain top talent. As labor shortages continue and workforce expectations shift, companies can no longer afford to treat onboarding as a checklist or training as a one-time event. This discussion explores what a strong first 90-days should look like, how mentorship and leadership shape long-term retention and what metrics truly measure success. From building career pathways to adapting to generational change, this conversation delivers strategic insight for contractors and industry professionals committed to building teams that stay, grow and lead. 

Register today!

By Emma Peterson. 

Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. is looking for dedicated people ready to start their career.   

Across North America, Tremco’s subsidiary, Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. (WTI), is looking to grow their team! They offer remote, hybrid and in-person opportunities ranging from research and development to human resources, accounting and more!  

Some of the opportunities include:  

• Engineering and facilities: As part of the engineering, facilities and maintenance team, you would support “all engineering activities and for maintaining and upgrading the facilities and production equipment.” There are also opportunities for developing value stream design and improving material flow and progress tracking.  
• Production: The production team is hands-on troubleshooting and running manufacturing equipment. Safety and independent problem-solving are keys for this team. 
• Roof technician: Want to be out in the field? WTI has many positions for roofers of all levels, from intern to journeyman to supervisor. As a WTI tech, you will work with a variety of roof systems (such as BUR, EPDM and single-ply) as well as a variety of tools (such as hand tools and power tools).  
• Sales: The sales team at WTI is growing fast. If you are an “ambitious, self-motivated individual with a proven record of effort driven success,” this team is a great opportunity to continue growing your skills and career. 

This is a great opportunity for hard workers looking to kickstart a career with a company that cares about their employees as individuals. WTI prioritizes maintaining the small company atmosphere that Tremco was founded with back in 1928, even as they continue to grow.  

Their team is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment that empowers every person to learn and grow. As Robert Boykin, the CORE quality production manager for WTI, shared, “I’ve worked at Tremco WTI for 10 years and it’s been really exciting. I really like the fact that I can move into different positions and learn the different things that I need to learn to grow with the company.” 

A great example of how much WTI cares is the benefits they offer to their employees. These benefits include “competitive health insurance options, dental, and prescription drug coverage, pension, paid vacations and holidays, investment opportunities and much more.” They’ll even go as far as giving their new team members a new Milwaukee M12™ heated TOUGHSHELL™ jacket to keep them warm on the roof this winter! 

Check out all of their current job listings. 

Get more information about WTI and get started on your application!

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about the differences and similarities between roofing in the U.S. and the UK. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Mardee Billingsley, the executive vice president of the Tremco Construction Products Group. Mardee has worked with Tremco for over 28 years and is part of the team that has been expanding their operations into international markets. This unique position makes Mardee an invaluable resource for insights on the global market.  

There are a lot of considerations when it comes to moving onto a global stage. Things like environment and climate are obvious differences, but there are also distinctions that are less thought of – like regulation differences. Mardee used the UK as an example, “I find the roof systems in Europe to be simpler in a way. Take our FM requirements that must accommodate all the regions of the U.S. as an example. There are thousands of products and systems in there. Alternatively, I remember when I first started going over to the UK in 2004 and it's simply base and a cap.”  

This simplicity can be cited to a variety of reasons, from the UK being smaller than the U.S. and having fewer regional differences to its history of governmental management of industries. One of the big reasons, however, is the weather. Mardee shared, “In the UK, it's a much milder climate. It rains a lot, kind of like the Pacific Northwest in the U.S. So, some of the need for a simple system comes from that. They have a big fluid market because of having to get systems down and cured up faster. Anything they can do to just go and be installed by the end of the day is good because of the weather.”  

And it’s important to note that simplicity does not sacrifice performance. Mardee explained, “These systems are 20-30 year systems. They come with 20-25 year warranties!” At the end of the day, roofing might look a little different across the pond, but there are still many similarities. Mardee explained, “They still use some of the same products we use, it just depends on the solution that they need. The key is just to really listen to what they're saying and what they need. Which works with Tremco’s core philosophy of keeping good roofs good and providing the best solution to meet the customer's needs for longevity, financial investment and technical requirements. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the entire podcast to learn more about Tremco and roofing on the global stage.

By Emma Peterson. 

From guardrails to roof hatches, Tremco WTI is creating safer jobsites and building team trust.  

A recent data bulletin from the Center for Construction Research and Training revealed a concerning trend – more than 300 fatal falls and over 20,000 nonfatal falls have been reported in the construction industry since 2013. In particular, the data from a 2022 study shows roofing as the leading source of these incidents. These statistics can seem disheartening, but there are things that companies can do to keep roofing professionals safer!  

A great example is what Tremco WTI has done with their safety initiatives. Their Director of Health and Safety, Rolando “Ro” Lewis, shared a bit about the original push for safety programs at Tremco. He shared, “Safety wasn’t a focal point for every employee in the organization, and we transformed that so that every person in the company understands that safety affects everyone.”  

Today, the people at WTI are the first ones to bring safety into the conversation. Ro explained, it, “We organized our safety programs with the goal of making safe practices prevalent and the first thing we think about.” And they’re not just working on promoting safety internally, Tremco WTI also manufactures a variety of products that can help other companies make their worksites safer! These include:  

• Guardrail systems: These ballasted railings protect roofing professionals from falling off the roof edges, sides and/or openings.  
• Hatch guards: Make it easier than ever for your crews to get on and off the roof with the roof access hatch.  
• Skylight guards: Protect your crew from falling through skylights (which are technically considered holes in the roof) with these custom-designed guards.  
• Crossovers: These are pre-engineered safety systems that make access across rooftop obstacles like piping or conduits more secure.  
• Weighted fall protection systems: This is a modular system that creates a rooftop anchor to keep your crew safer in the case of slips. 
• Grated walkways: Make sure you’re standing strong with these safe, slip-resistant walkways that use gritted panels to avoid water ponding.  

Learn more about these products and how Tremco WTI is leading roofing forward with safety in mind!

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how businesses can empower their teams by creating inclusive and supportive workplaces. 

Last month, we hosted a special Pride Month edition of Coffee Conversations, sponsored by Tremco WTI! In the episode, Megan Ellsworth spoke with a panel of roofing experts and advocates from across the industry for an enlightening conversation about inclusivity. The panel included Kristin Crandall, Tremco’s northeast regional dispatcher and fleet administrator;, Josh Adams, longtime contractor and founder of Roof Scout; and Janette O'Shaugnessy, founder of  Resonating Brands . 

The conversation  highlighted the importance of supporting LGBTQPIA+ employees, during Pride Month and beyond. In discussing the positive impact of organizational support, Kristin shared, “Support from your company and support from people around you can really make you develop into an amazing person and grow both personally and professionally.” Josh added, “Good business is about creating spaces that see people on merit and talent, not labels. And talent is in all groups, no matter their identity. By being more inclusive, a company will be able to find the best person for the job and develop their talent.” 

So, how do you make sure your company is inclusive and supportive of all people? The first step is making space for empathy and normalization. Kristin elaborated, “Making it a point to show empathy and grace as you make it a safe space for someone to be open is key. And once people are open, you have to show them that you support them regardless of which community they're part of, it doesn't change who they are on the inside of a person.” This is something that has to happen both on a company level from management and a personal level from coworkers. Janette explained, “Allies play a big role because they normalize and validate marginalized or LGBTQ+ community members by affirming that people in marginalized groups aren’t actually that different, that we’re all just humans doing the best we can.” 

At the end of the day, building a space where people can authentically and honestly be themselves is the goal, so that they can do their best work and feel valued. Josh put it simply, “The majority of people in marginalized groups just want to feel like they're not marginalized. It doesn't mean that somebody needs to put them up in a castle of rainbow flags and blinking lights. It's just saying, ‘Hey, don't drag everyone to filth if they're just being authentic.’ And I think that's a big difference that we all can probably support.” 

Read the transcript, Listen to the conversation or Watch the episode for more about building a stronger roofing industry through inclusivity.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Building a successful and fulfilling career from the ground up through hands-on experience, continuous learning and seizing opportunities for professional growth. 

Navigating a career in construction is no small feat, but for Jason Depina, the journey from intern to student construction manager associate at Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. (WTI) has been one of continuous growth and opportunity. 

Jason, who started his career at WTI in 2019 as a summer intern, didn’t initially envision a long-term future with the company. “I was still in college, so I thought it was just going to be a summer thing,” Jason said. But when the internship ended, a simple email exchange with human resources led to an unexpected job offer. “I remember asking if they wanted the work phone back and they responded, ‘Actually, we have openings, would you be interested?’” That moment set the stage for a multi-faceted career that has seen Jason progress through multiple roles within WTI. 

Over the past five years, Jason has worked as an inspector, a quality control specialist and now as a student construction manager associate. Each role has provided him with unique insights into the roofing and construction industry, from on-the-ground inspections to high-level project management. “My favorite position is the one I’m in now,” he said. “It's the kind that opens the door into the company that you've never seen before.” 

Balancing work with education, Jason is also enrolled in the University of Akron’s online program, further strengthening his knowledge in construction management. His move from the Northeast to Tampa, Florida, in 2021 opened even more doors. “There’s just more opportunity here,” he said, noting that in larger markets, the chance for career advancement increases. 

Jason’s experience represents a larger conversation in the construction industry: the need for skilled labor. With the industry facing a labor shortage, he encourages young professionals to consider construction as a viable career path. “There’s always something that needs to be built, repaired or maintained,” he said. He believes that construction offers job security, opportunities for growth and the ability to be hands-on with projects that have a real impact. 

His advice to those just starting out? Be open to learning. “When I first started, I didn’t know anything about roofing,” Jason admitted. Over time he gained an understanding of everything from inspections to warranties to material logistics. He states the importance of staying curious and continuously growing in the industry. 

For Jason, the future is bright. With aspirations to continue advancing in WTI’s construction management team, he remains focused on expanding his expertise and making meaningful contributions to the industry. He shared, “I want to keep moving up and to do the best I can, but I’m happy where I’m at now.” 

His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability and the value of hands-on experience in building a lasting career in construction. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how Robert found his path into the roofing industry and what he's learned along the way. 

Here at The Coffee Shops™, we love putting the spotlight on people in roofing. Whether they work as an installer, manager or in another sector of the industry, we are honored to share their stories and successes. Recently, Robert Boykin, the CORE quality production manager for Tremco WTI, stopped by to tell us his story. 

Robert’s journey in roofing started in 2014 as a field technician. From there, he worked up to lead inspector and eventually, in 2022, he transitioned into his current position. In his eight years working in the field, Robert has seen his fair share of roofs. He shared, “I've inspected thousands [of roofs]. I’ve seen a lot of roofs, probably seen more built-up than anything else, whether they're mod bit or simple built-up with aggregate. I've also seen a lot of metal, shingle, tile, single ply, EPDM, TPO— pretty much any type of roof you can think of.” 

When we asked him about where these roofs are, what types of buildings he worked on, Robert shared that a lot of them are schools. “I would generalize that 50-70% of the roofs have been schools, and that's including colleges and universities. We work with some pretty large school districts, Baltimore County, Charleston County. And we've I think we just picked up Florida State University,” he shared. The remaining 30-50% of the roofs are often institutions like hospitals.  

With both schools and medical institutions being so critical to communities’ day-to-day operations, Robert has learned first-hand the importance and power of roof inspections and maintenance. He explained, “If schools and hospitals are not maintaining their roofs, then they're having potential issues which would involve leaks, and leaks involve shutting down certain rooms which involve moving students and patients around, which disrupts a whole day or week or however long it takes to get a company in there to do any type of maintenance, and inspections helps avoid these potential shutdowns.” In addition to avoiding catastrophic failures, regular inspections and maintenance like Robert performed helps extend the roof's lifespan, saving the building owners money over time. 

Now, in his current role, Robert uses the knowledge he gained from his years on the roof to help ensure that production at Tremco WTI operates smoothly and with the high-quality results that makes them a trusted partner for construction professionals all over the industry. He told us that working with Tremco WTI has been a great experience, sharing, “It's been an exciting 10 years for me. I really like the fact that I can move into different positions and learn the different things that I need to learn to grow with the company.” 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn why roof restoration is so popular and how maintenance makes it possible. 

Like many industry sectors,  low slope coatings professionals  have experienced significant growth and innovative breakthroughs over the last few years. To learn more about these changes, Karen Edwards spoke to Doug Schultz and Josh Johnson from Tremco WTI in an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. Combined, Josh and Doug boast decades of industry knowledge and experience, making them the perfect guests to share valuable insights into these industry changes. 

 Both Doug and Josh have been with Tremco WTI for several years now, currently serving customers along the Gulf Coast region of the United States. In these positions, they’ve gained a wealth of knowledge about what drives success and positive results for customers. Over both of their careers with Tremco WTI, there has been a distinct uptick in interest in roof restorations among their customers. Doug explained, “A lot of building owners, once they reach the point where then something needs to be done for their roof, now opt for a restoration because it is a little financially cheaper.” In addition to being less expensive than a traditional tear-off, restoration is much less intrusive. Josh shared, “A lot of buildings that we work on, they're sensitive to some degree (hospitals, schools, etc.) where having guys climbing around up there and tearing their roof off, banging around can be hard. But when it comes to restoring a roof, we can be up there applying a liquid applied monolithic coating on their roof and they hardly even know we're there.” 

One thing to note about roof restorations is that they only work on roofs that don’t have deep structural damage. This is where proper maintenance is key. Doug gave an example that illustrates this, sharing, “We had a big customer down in Miami that had all new roofs who hired us to perform the TremCare maintenance on them yearly. Then, after 15 years of being on the roofs, we noticed that they needed some work. At this point, most roofs would've had to been replaced. But because we had been there taking care of preventative maintenance, housekeeping and any issues that came up, it just needed to be restored at this point instead of being replaced. Ultimately, we were able to save the customer a lot of money by doing our preventative maintenance with the TremCare.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the full episode to learn how Tremco WTI can help you save time and money through maintenance and roof restorations.