Meet MVP and Best of the Best Winner Brandon Reese

By Lauren White.

A Sergeant First Class in the National Guard has found a career in roofing.

Every year, outstanding employees are nominated by their coworkers for the Roofing Alliance’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award program.  This award recognizes and celebrates workers in two categories:  1) Workers who exemplify dedication to their work, employees, and company; demonstrate a strong work ethic; and practice excellent leadership, initiative, and resourcefulness.  2) Workers who show compassion for others outside the workplace and volunteer their time with their communities, churches, families, and friends. MVPs are dedicated to their work and to helping others, going above and beyond to get the job done and ensure everyone feels valued for what they do.  Five winners were selected for the 2019 Roofing Alliance MVP Awards. At RoofersCoffeeShop® we live by our motto of Roofing Respect® and wanted to highlight all of the MVP award winners. Keep reading to understand how these devoted individuals add value to their workplace and contribute to the world around them.

Brandon Reese joined the National Guard only six months after September 11, 2001.  Once his nine-month deployment in Kosovo in southern Europe ended, Brandon returned to working in construction.  However, he was disheartened with the instability of working for non-union construction contractors. “His cousin, a foreman for Korellis Roofing, enticed him to the company, explaining job security, opportunities for advancement, and the structure development and training that accompanied his union career,” as explained in Brandon’s nomination.

In 2007, Brandon joined Korellis and was sent on his second deployment overseas.  In the time Brandon was away, Korellis appointed a new manager for scheduling manpower.  “He was eager to see Brandon prove himself deserving of the role in service, which he did quickly,” according to his nomination.  Dan Kiepura, Director of Roofing Operations explained, “He worked on roofing crews for me at first, but it became evident rather quickly that he was indeed a leader.  He showed initiative and I quickly promoted him to a lead technician, granting him his own work truck even though he was still only a third-year apprentice.” In his own truck, Brandon covers over 100 square miles for customers and works independently to, “pinpoint and repair deficiencies, perform preventative maintenance, and address other emergencies.”

Having worked at Korellis for eleven years, Brandon doesn’t see the need to ever leave.  Starting as a pre-apprentice, he is now one of ten lead service technicians. He “attributes the longevity of his career, even at a young age, to being able to work outside with his hands.  The range of roofing systems, unique situations, and working with different customers keeps roofing interesting for him.” A dry summer allowed many service techs to help with various projects.  Brandon served as a foreman and led a six-man crew to recoat almost 200,000 square feet on a commercial property in the south side of Chicago, which was one of his more memorable projects.

Brandon is still very involved with the military and is working on bringing his military and career life together.  He received many accolades with the military and is currently ranked as Sergeant First Class. According to his nomination, “Brandon works with Helmets to Hardhats, a national nonprofit organization that connects National Guard, Reserve, and retired and transitioning active-duty members with opportunities in the construction industry.”  Crediting the military with “his leadership skills, work ethic, and endurance in challenging situations,” Brandon is doing his part to give back and recruit soldiers to the program. Dan Kiepura shared, “In addition to his role with Korellis, Brandon’s commitments to his country speak for themselves. As a former member of the Marine Corps and a former roofer myself, I understand how military values like discipline, professionalism, dedication, and respect translate to this trade.”

Brandon is dedicated to customer service and safety.  Dan is confident in Brandon’s abilities when he sends him out on a job.  “There is a level of trust we need in our service technicians. They are the ‘face’ of our company— meeting with customers and tenants.  They have to explain roof assemblies and issues to people who may not have any familiarity with roof management,” Dan explained. Described as a “leader in working safely,” Sean Geenya, Safety Manager at Korellis, commented on Brandon’s commitment to safety, stating, “Brandon gives honest assessments of our current equipment and prospective ideas.  His attention to safety detail in the field lends him the freedom to work on an individual basis in our service department.”

A leader and professional on and off the roof, Brandon has not only served our country admirably, but has dutifully served Korellis over the years.  “Korellis Roofing is proud to have him representing the company as a well-qualified, safe, proficient, and considerate tradesman.” With a dynamic work environment and his involvement in recruiting others like him to the construction industry, Brandon has found a life-long career path for himself.

Brandon Reese was not only the 2018-19 MVP winner, but was also selected as the 2018-19 Best of the Best winner.

To nominate your MVP visit http://roofingalliance.net/programs/mvp/ for 2020 MVP Awards nomination form.