Chuck Chapman - Investing in the Industry One Scholarship at a Time - PODCAST TRANSCRIPTION

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with Chuck Chapman from Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WRSA) and the Davis Memorial Foundation. You can read the interview below or listen to the podcast. 

Intro/Outro: Welcome to Roofing Road Trips with Heidi. Explore the roofing industry through the eyes of a long-term professional within the trade. Listen for insights, interviews, and exciting news in the roofing industry today.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Hello, and welcome to Roofing Road Trips from RoofersCoffeeShop. This is Heidi Ellsworth, and this is a live not only podcast, but video cast, with my dear friend, Chuck Chapman. Chuck, welcome to the show.

Chuck Chapman: Good morning, Heidi. How are you?

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I am great. We're here to talk about one of our favorite subjects, Davis.

Chuck Chapman: Oh, I thought you were going to talk about something way more interesting.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: No, we want to talk about Davis Memorial Foundation. When you asked me to be a part of this organization, to be a trustee, and Bill was there, it was like, "This has just been the best."

Chuck Chapman: Yeah, it really is. And I remember that day when I asked you, I think we were at some convention somewhere, but-

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: It really is a lot of fun, and I think that it's very rewarding, but fun at the same time, which is kind of the best of both worlds.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yes. That's the thing. Giving back is always rewarding. So I want to talk about what's coming up, because we've got all of our fun stuff coming up in the fall, we just had our scholarship winners, everything. But before we do that, could you introduce yourself, tell us a little bit about you and your company?

Chuck Chapman: Yeah, my name is Chuck Chapman, as you shared with everyone. I work for Tecta America in Phoenix, Arizona. I have been with the company for about 18 years now, but I've been roofing for 41 years. I used to have hair before I started, so that is definitely showing my age. But it's been a very, very rewarding career for me, I love the industry, and I love giving back to the industry most importantly, and that's why I'm doing all the work, and have been doing all the work with Davis.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: I really want to be able to make it possible for other people to enjoy the industry the way that I have over the last 41 years.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: It really is such an amazing industry, and when we are able to get it in front of the next generation, and also just overall the society, I guess, it's pretty cool. Okay, so tell everyone about the Davis Memorial Foundation, and how is it connected to Western States?

Chuck Chapman: Well, way back when in 1996, the Davis Foundation was formed by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association. The association wanted to give back, and the best way they could do that was to form a 501(c)(3), that they called the Davis Memorial Foundation. It was named after Larry and Mary Davis. Larry was a board member, and unfortunately passed away in a small plane crash on the way home from a Western States meeting. So they decided to honor the Davises by naming the foundation after Larry and Mary. The foundation was incorporated in 1997, so technically that's when it became official, and since then, we've given out 170 scholarships, totalling over $750,000.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Wow.

Chuck Chapman: This past year, we gave out 10 more, $5,000 each. I've lost track how many years in a row we've been giving out 50 grand, but it's been four or five years now for sure that we've been doing $50,000 a year.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I think it was since our 20th year.

Chuck Chapman: Yeah.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: Yeah, exactly. And we're coming up on 27 now, so it's pretty cool.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: It is. It's focused too, on those scholarships, which I just think is great, because sometimes I think things get a little diluted where we keep it very, "This is what it's about, this next generation of young people coming in, and how are we going to help them?" And not always coming into roofing, but overall, supporting the young people of the industry. So let's talk just a little bit about that. I mean, I know these things, so I'm asking you, but how do we pick the students for the scholarships?

Chuck Chapman: Well, the applications come out usually right around the first of the year. We advertise pretty thoroughly throughout the entire Western region through various different publications, and email blasts, and blogs, and all kinds of things. And we usually get a very good response. I think one year we had about 140 applications, something along those lines, which is, as a trustee, was a little tough for us, because we actually have to review every single application.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: So going through 140 applications was a little tough, but it was incredibly rewarding, because as we've talked many times, seeing and learning about 140 young people is just absolutely amazing.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah, I agree.

Chuck Chapman: The things that they've accomplished, the things that they want to accomplish in their future, it's just... I'm telling you, just when you think we're in trouble, you get to read all these applications, and it really, really is a pretty cool thing. This past year, I think we had about 67 applications. But all the applications are online, so if anybody in the future is interested in applying for the scholarship, just kind of start looking for it in January. They can also go on the Western States, or the Davis website, and look up the applications, fill them out and submit it. They're usually due by about the third week, in April, and then we usually take a month to review all the applications, and then make the award typically by the end of May. Get back to the winners, and invite them to come and be present, if they can, schedule permitting in September at the convention.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah. One of the things I love, and we just started this a couple of years ago, but as a trustee, we each take one or two and we call them and let them know that they've won.

Chuck Chapman: Yeah.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: And to me, that is just so cool. They're so excited when they get this phone call, and that they've won. And I know how important it is, because we've talked to so many of these young people, and I will say Megan Ellsworth was a recipient, and it makes such a huge difference. It makes a huge difference to those students, and getting through college. Let's talk just a little bit, I mean, we really look at, they need to be associated with someone in the industry, so it can be, they work for somebody in roofing, their mom and dad, their aunt and uncle, whatever, but then they also have to live in the Western states.

Chuck Chapman: Yes, because we are the Western States Roofing Contractors Association, and Davis operates under the auspices of WSRCA, we want them to be in our region.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Right.

Chuck Chapman: As you said, we also want them to be affiliated with the roofing industry. And then after that, it's pretty much as we see, a lot of times there's need, this figured into that, but it's really based on the character of the individual. And sometimes grades are important, but it's really an overall review of the individual as a person. And that's kind of fun, is you really get to know these people, because they do provide a lot of information in the application. So it's a really good getting to know them type of learning experience.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: And we have all different types of majors, but we did have a lot of construction management this year, which always gets me excited.

Chuck Chapman: Yeah. And we also want to make sure that people that are going to vo-tech, you can apply, we want you to apply-

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yes, yes.

Chuck Chapman: Vo-techs are also included. So whether it's a university, a college, a community college, or vo-tech, we definitely want vo-tech too, and we've had vo-tech applications, and vo-tech winners in the past. But we really want to get the word out, that, "Hey, it's not just limited to universities and colleges, we definitely want vo-tech people in there as well." So if you're contemplating a vo-tech, or are going to vo-tech, and need some financial assistance, hey, go for it.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Well, I mean, you already know this story, but one of my favorite stories is a couple of years back when we were able to give a scholarship to a young lady who was going into welding.

Chuck Chapman: Right.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: And she's a welder, and she came with her grandpa. So her grandpa was there at the Western Stage show, saw her up on the stage, made me teary. I was like, "Wow, this is just... It's such an influence." I mean, when you look back, Chuck, who were some of your favorite, as you look at the different recipients?

Chuck Chapman: It's kind of hard to put my finger on exactly any one favorite, I think I love them all.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: They are all so grateful. And I think that's the thing that never ceases to surprise me, is that every single person that gets one, even though they might or might not be able to attend in person, they are all also grateful. Like you said, when we make the phone call to tell them that they have won, the real emotion that is involved when we tell them that they have won... 'Cause five grand is a big deal.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah, it's a huge deal.

Chuck Chapman: [inaudible] I mean, a daughter of my own that's getting ready to go to college this fall, knowing what that costs, that five grand is a big deal.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: So seeing all of them up there... And there's been so many, the welder, she was a treat.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: Some of the people are much more gregarious and outgoing. I remember a couple of the young guys, they show up with their are various different styles of the day-

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Chuck Chapman: Which is a little different than ours. But they're all entertaining in their own way. Even the quiet ones, they come out of their shell when they got up there on stage, because they're kind of overcome with the emotions. So I really enjoy spending time with all of them.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah, I do too. I do too, and I look at it too, we have had a number of recipients who are now in the roofing industry.
Chuck Chapman: Right.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I know sometimes that's because they kind of grew up in the roofing industry, but they also didn't always have a construction management degree. I can think of a number of them, I mean, I'll just say again, Megan Ellsworth is one of them, she's very much in the roofing industry, and she had a music degree. And she's working every day in the roofing industry, and we're seeing this across the board with a lot of the recipients. And so I think, really, this gets the word out that roofing is cool, and it is as... They don't think of that, but it really is, and by getting that scholarship, no matter what they're majoring in, they still have that in the back of their head, like, "Hey, the roofing industry helped me get here."

Chuck Chapman: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think education of any level, regardless of what the function or whatever the major might be, you're still gaining an education. And the fact that you are performing or learning something, and making a commitment, and completing that commitment, you're learning something out of it. And those traits are very valuable in our industry.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: We want people that are loyal, we want people that are responsible, we want people that really commit to seeing tasks through, whether it's in the roofing industry, or any other industry, that education is extremely valuable. And I mean, I know my degree isn't roofing, because we didn't have a roofing program back then-

Heidi J. Ellsworth: No.

Chuck Chapman: We're lucky we had schools back then.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah. I love it.

Chuck Chapman: It's really, really valuable to help these folks along, and be able to gain that education. And especially when they're affiliated with other people in the industry, the odds are pretty good that they're going to end up coming back to us at some point in time.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: And that's what we've been seeing. So let's talk a little bit about how we raise all this money for these scholarships. 10 scholarships this year, so talk a little bit about what we have coming up in September during the Western States Roofing Contractors Association show, Western Roofing Expo. We have all kinds of events, so tell everybody about that.

Chuck Chapman: Well, we have the WSRCA convention, Western Roofing Expo coming up in Las Vegas, starting on Saturday, September the 23rd. That's kind of the Davis Day. We have the shooting clays tournament, and the golf tournament, both on Saturday morning, and then we have the live auction on Sunday night. Now, we also have the silent auction portion of that that goes live on September the first. Now, if you want the link to be able to get to the silent auction, you can go to the Davis website, or you can go to the Western States website, and you can get the link to go to the silent auction. The items in the silent auction will be available to start bidding on those on September the first, and then they will close, I believe the last day of the show, which is on Monday, September the 25th.

But the live auction and welcoming event is Saturday night at the Paris, in Las Vegas. We'd love to have you attend. We usually have about 15 or so items that go off for auction there. Bill Bailey, another one of our trustees, and this year we've added a third entertainer for your auction pleasure, and that's Mr. Greg Bloom, who's another one of our-

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Great group.

Chuck Chapman: Trustees. And the three of us will be doing the live auction event in Las Vegas.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: So come on out. And if you can't make it to Vegas, well, at least log onto the website, and bid on some of the silent items.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I have to tell you, it's so much fun, I love the auction, we see it. I love walking the show floor and encouraging people to bid, and to be a caller, or whatever they're called. But this is a fun event, and people really get into it. I mean, they really support the auction, but they also really support the clays and the golf too. I mean, we've been sold out, and we're seeing a lot of things. Right now, we are looking for donations, donations for the golf tournament, donations for the clays, swag bag stuff, fun things, and then always, auction items.

Chuck Chapman: Yes, absolutely. Right now, we have a big push for folks to donate auction items, as well as some raffle prizes for the golf tournament and the shooting clays. We're doing fairly well, but we could always use more. If you're interested in donating, you can contact the Western States office, or you can just send me a note, which I'd be very happy to. And by the way, my email is cchapman@tectaamerica.com. So if you can't get any help from anybody else, just get ahold of me, and I'll get you hooked up.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: But we're looking for donations at this point, and we'd be very happy to take everything and anything you could possibly donate.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: When we call people, I've been calling people, you've been calling people, they give, and they just are... It's great for your marketing program, you get in front of a lot of different people, it's very good, and it's great just to give back and help with all these scholarships, and with the students. Okay, so what are our goals this year? What are we looking at? I mean, I know last year we raised... It was over 60,000, is that right?

Chuck Chapman: Yeah, we would like to be able to raise more than that, because if we can raise more money, then we can give out some more scholarships, which, we haven't done that in the last couple of years. So it'd be nice to be able to bump that number from 10 to 12, or 10 to 15. So we could use your help to help get us there by registering for the shooting clays tournament, registering for the golf tournament, donating to the auction, showing up in-person, and spending money at the auction. Any and all of those things would really, really help us achieve our goals. So if we can raise over 60,000, 70,000, $80,000, then we can give those all back in scholarship. Because we're not keeping any of it, we want to give it away.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah.

Chuck Chapman: So the more we can make, the more we can give away.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I love it, I love it. Well, you can also find all this information on RoofersCoffeeShop on the... The Davis Foundation has its own directory, where you can get all this information, find out where to bid on the silent auction, where to donate, all that good stuff, and then also the Western States has its full directory too.

Chuck Chapman: Correct.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: So all this information is out there, you can find us, like Chuck said, email, Chuck, you can email me, we will get you going. And it's really something that, I'm telling you right now, it's one of the best events of the industry. I'm prejudiced, but I'm just saying, it is, it's really great.

Chuck Chapman: A lot of fun.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I know. A lot of fun.

Chuck Chapman: And we also have the Western theme again this day.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yes.

Chuck Chapman: Last year we did it. It was a great, great turnout. People getting dressed up in old Western gear. I'll tell you, there was some people that I'd say, "Okay, this dude's a real cowboy."

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah, yeah.

Chuck Chapman: So we're doing it again. So there is a costume contest, so if you like to dress up in the Western theme, please show up, and you could be one of the lucky winners of the costume contest. We will obviously be dressed up on stage as well. I must admit, I've got some pretty good gear myself. I'm not eligible to win, so don't worry about that, but we do like to get a little fun up on stage, and we do like to get a little dressed up. And come on out, and it's a great way to start off the expo.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah, it is great. And between the golf, the clays, and then the auction, great Saturday. We used to call it Fun Day Sunday, but now it's Fun Day Saturday, so-

Chuck Chapman: Yeah, a little [inaudible] change, but we're still going to do it on Saturday, we're still going to have just as much fun.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah. Oh, it'll be great. And hopefully not quite as hot by the end of September. We'll see.

Chuck Chapman: Usually not.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Well, Chuck, thank you so much. This is always such a delight. I love being a trustee on Davis, and love getting the word out on this, and thank you for everything you do for the industry. It's so appreciated.

Chuck Chapman: Thank you, Heidi. I appreciate it. I appreciate everything you do as well, and really appreciate RoofersCoffeeShop for supporting us.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Oh, always, always. So Chuck, I will be seeing you online as we get ready for the big event, and seeing you in Vegas at the end of September. Hoping to see all of you in Vegas for the Western States Roofing Expo, and all of the fun Davis events. As I said, get all that information on the Western States, or the Davis directories on RoofersCoffeeShop, or on MetalCoffeeShop, or CoatingsCoffeeShop. And be sure to listen to all of the podcasts. You can find this both on your favorite podcast channel, also on YouTube, and of course, on our website, at RoofersCoffeeShop. Join us, subscribe, set those notifications so you don't miss a single episode, and we'll be seeing you next time on Roofing Road Trips.

Intro/Outro: Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave a review. Thanks for listening. This has been Roofing Road Trips with Heidi from the rooferscoffeeshop.com.