Celebrating the tin-niversary of the Student Competition

By Lauren White.

Five teams presented during the 10th anniversary of the Construction Management Student Competition. 

Day 2 of the International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2024 and we're starting the day with one of our favorite events, the Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition, which is celebrating it's tenth anniversary (the year of tin) this year!

This competition promotes careers in roofing industry management. Each team is comprised of four undergraduate students and they create their own roofing company and assume the roles of superintendent, project manager, QA/QC manager and safety manager, among others. 

Ten teams submitted written proposals by November 17, 2023 for the judges to review and score prior to the competition. Five finalist teams were selected to travel to Las Vegas and compete. The teams include:

1. Bradley University - Competing for the fifth time this year, team members include Tyler Pilon, Tadgh Spillane, Attilio Levato and Adam Wascher (team captain). 
2. Texas A&M - John Falavolito (team captain), Julian Hood, Yahir Santiago and Hogan Leftwich. They started us with a Aggie "howdy!" to start the presentation.
3. University of Florida - Grayson Johnson, Rachel Deal, Nick Hanson and Davis Lunger
4. Auburn University - Kyle Shaull, Jack Armstrong, Mary Madalyn Massengale (team captain), Arjun Varadhan
5. Colorado State University - Caleb Borton, Ryan Schmick, William Macquire (team captain) and Carson Stevens

Each year, a building is selected for the project in the same location IRE and the Student Competition take place. This year, the students project was the Formula 1 Paddock Building in Las Vegas, Nevada. As part of the written proposal, each team researches the project, reviews plans and specifications and creates a full estimate and proposal to submit a qualified bid package. Also important is finding a competitive edge to differentiate themselves from their competition.

Unique to the Formula 1 Paddock project is the dual purpose of the roof — not only does it provide protection to the building and its occupants, but portions of the roof system also serve as rooftop viewing areas of the Paddock. Other factors include a very tight timeframe to complete the project, as well as planning for a safe work environment, which all wil be considered by the judges.

A panel of roofing professionals score both the written proposal and the oral presentation today. And new this year are audience judges who also score the written presentation today but have not seen the written proposal before. Michelle Boykin of Rackley Roofing was one of the judges and she said, "It's fun to be a part of the judging proces. It's great to see this next generation having so much excitement and energy for the roofing industry. You can see and feel the energy they have for it. And it's just a really great experience."

After each presentation, the eight judges of the panel have time to ask questions of the teams. The judges assume the role of general contractor, owner and design team looking to assemble a team that can meet the demands of the project at hand. 

Considerations such as weather, project timeline, technology, safety equipment and training and material pricing, among many other details are considered by the students during their project proposals and presentations. During the oral presentation, students are scored on the quality of their presentation, the feasibility of their project management, innovation and use of technology, quality of safety and quality control/quality assurance, and their answers to the judges questions.

These oral presentations were not only looked professional, but the students spoke eloquently, presented well thought out proposals with very specific details and know roofing.

Tonight, the winning team will be announced during the NRCA Awards Ceremony and Reception. Stay tuned to see which of these deserving teams is the 2024 winner of the Construction Management Student Competition!