Meet MVP Winner and Best of the Best Todd Dunlap

By Kate Edwards.

How do you describe the indescribable? Start with a story.

Every year, the Roofing Alliance’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award program recognizes and celebrates workers who are nominated by their coworkers 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.  Seven winners were selected for 2020. At RoofersCoffeeShop® we live by our motto of Roofing Respect® and are highlighting each 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.

Todd Dunlap tells a story; of a home for the holidays, of a friendly face in a new town, of a chef using his passion to give back, of a shoulder to cry on. He has been described as refreshingly honest, a father-figure, a protector, a phone call away. “Whether you’re a teammate, a customer, a vendor or a supplier, you can always count on one thing, Todd’s got your back.” The sentiment expressed by Frost Roofing for Todd can be equally felt by his community, friends, family, and strangers. Those who have crossed paths with Todd in any capacity have likely encountered the hallmark of Todd Dunlap: his unconditional willingness to help.

Currently a superintendent, Todd joined Frost Roofing in 2013, starting as a crane operator and metal bender. Frost Roofing is a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association and is located in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Todd is often the first to come in and the last to go home. Coworkers have come to know him for his giving nature and concern for the wellbeing of others, his eagerness to take initiative and learn, and an overall compassion that extends into the many facets of his job; from safety, quality, and customer satisfaction to always welcoming a newcomer. The tale of Todd is best told through the following highlights of his exemplary character.

James J. Smithey, President of Frost Roofing, recalled how Todd’s authenticity and true character was evident from the beginning. In discussing Todd joining the company, Smithey said, “A challenge the industry is facing is finding employees to enter the industry at a more mature age having a good work ethic. When we hired Todd, he informed us he had an issue with his shoulders from the work he was doing at his previous job. He wanted to make it clear upon hire that this was an issue he knows he has and will be more than likely having surgery to get things repaired. His honesty and integrity was refreshing. It turned out to be more than a couple weeks off (6 months) and he insisted to be taken off the payroll to make sure when he was thru the necessary medical requirements, if he was able to perform the work required that he would come back and be ready to give his all. That in itself speaks volumes to who this man is.”

Todd’s shoulder challenges subsequently served as the foundation for his relationship with former coworker Joshua Schoen, who also became a lifelong friend. Schoen explained how they formed a strong bond when his first days on the job as a rookie doubled as Todd’s first days returning from time off following double shoulder surgeries. When Schoen would later come to need shoulder surgery of his own, Todd was there every step of the way. Sharing his thoughts on this experience, Schoen said, “My hope in telling this story is that I do him as much justice as I can, because he has done so much for my family and I, and my best is the least that he deserves from me.”

Many who spoke on Todd’s behalf reflected on the way he recently welcomed a new group of men who came to work at the company from Puerto Rico. Marty Borchers, who works in HR at Frost, explained how Todd was dedicated to helping them get acquainted and feel comfortable. He said, “In true Todd fashion, Todd was the individual who stepped forward and made it his business to make sure these men felt at home in Ohio. He has opened up his home on more than one occasion, inviting them to dinner or taking them cake his wife has made. A perfect reflection of the gratitude and respect they have for him is in the nickname they have given him – Poppy.”

Further demonstrating Todd’s compassion for others, Sandra Hunter, a former operations manager for whom Todd worked at Moulton Gas Service, Inc. described how his warm heart extends into his community. Sandra said, “Always with a smile and a kind word, Todd has opened his home during the holidays, inviting folks who have no family or place to go to join him and his family for a meal. In addition, he traveled south at his own expense to help with disaster relief during the aftermath of Katrina. A fiercely loyal man, Todd would do anything for friends and family as well as the complete stranger. He is unique in his approach to life and I am honored to call him my friend.”

Chad Dunlap is proud to call Todd both coworker and brother. Chad explained that Todd originally went to school to be a chef, but family circumstances prevented the pursuit of that dream. Describing how Todd’s generosity manifests through his passion for cooking, Chad said, “During the holidays when family should be celebrated, you will find Todd opening his home to the needy, cooking enough food to feed an army, and making sure that no one goes away hungry.” He talked about how Todd hauls food to the local food banks on Saturdays, while also sharing a story about a trip to Chicago where Todd bought a sub for a homeless man and took the time to sit down and talk with him.

In summarizing Todd’s impact at Frost Roofing, Blake Bayliff, a project manager and estimator, said the following, “He’s a great teacher, an invaluable asset to our company, and honestly just one of the kindest and most altruistic people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He gives a thousand percent every day, helps wherever he can, and expects nothing in return.”

To coworkers he’s a mentor, a friend, “Poppy.” To his son and two young daughters, he’s dad. To his brother, he’s a protector. Todd Dunlap can be described in many ways, culminating in the indescribable impact for which he is truly “The Best of the Best."

Learn more about the Roofing Alliance in their RCS directory.