Harnessing success: Business and family in roofing

By Dani Sheehan. 

In this incredible industry, business and family carry equal weight. Learn about the NRCA’s Future Executives Institute program and how this couple doesn’t have to compromise between providing for their company and the children. 

It was another exciting International Roofing Expo (IRE) this year in Las Vegas, Nevada. The National Women in Roofing (NWiR) hit it out of the park with NWiR Day the Sunday before, with an attendance of 450 women. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) also announced their graduates from the Future Executives Institute (FEI) where a handful of women were recognized in a class of 38 participants. Kendall Ekerson, the director of marketing for Simply Affordable (SA) Roofing was in attendance this year as her husband and owner of SA Roofing, Chris Ekerson also graduated from the program. Having finished the program herself in 2017, Kendall and Chris have become the first married couple to participate in the FEI program. 

In a recent article, we caught up with Chris and Kendall prior to this year’s graduation to discuss his experience and their plans after completing the equivalent to a master’s degree in roofing specific business. Kendall offered a unique perspective as a woman in the industry and as a mother. She is constantly plugging the program as a business owner because it allows you to gain exposure to business topics that are largely missing in trade school education. However, as a woman, it has also given her extra support to enter certain conversations as a woman. She shares, “I think that’s where, personally it’s been helpful because, I grew up in a family business and it was always like, ‘She’s [just] the daughter.’” 

The program also allowed her to meet other contractors and business owners in the industry, which is huge for sharing knowledge. She says, “The networking is a huge piece to this group. Our group started a Facebook page, and you know it’s trickled off over the years, but there’s still times where, ‘Hey, does anybody have this kind of contractor? This is what I’m dealing with, do you have experience?’ And it’s nice because nobody’s in competing markets.”  

She and Chris agree that the NRCA is very supportive of whatever you want to do in your life, and the industry values family. She’s been able to raise two children while still working in marketing for their business and can be there for more support when the company requires it or be present to take her girls on field trips at school. 

NWiR Day this year is proof that women’s presence in the industry is growing, and Kendall sees more and more owners and women in leadership roles. Whether you’re looking to take over the family business yourself or need more support taking on a leadership role in your company, the Future Executives Institute (FEI) is an invaluable experience.  

Become a member of NRCA today! Learn more about the FEI program, gain access to countless industry resources and get the support you need as both a business and a family.