We Love Our RCS Influencers

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

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Here at RoofersCoffeeShop® we are dedicated to providing contractors and roofing companies with as much information as possible to support the success of their businesses.  One way we do that is with the help of our RCS Influencers, a diverse group of people, including roofing contractor companies, and companies that service contractors. This variety of professionals bring their own opinions, tips, and advice they then share with our followers.  Each individual has their own interesting perspective based on their background and experience in the industry.

Read below to see what the top 15 blogs of 2019 were:

Jennifer Stone is the Pacific, Preferred Accounts Manager for Johns Manville.  She spent 15 years in sales and marketing. While working as the Vice President for a horticulture company, she realized she was drawn to the roofing side of the business.  She’s been in the industry ever since. Her blog, Service Departments Take Extreme Organization, focuses on the niche market of service and maintenance departments.  She notes that women are finding huge success in leading these departments due to their ability to organize and multi-task, in addition to their emotional intelligence, among other qualities necessary for the job.

Mike Hicks, the President of Hicks Industrial Roofing, Inc., has been roofing since he was 16.  He has a unique view of his career stating, “I look at roofing as a means of doing good rather than a way to provide a lifestyle.”  Mike belongs to three trade associations: the National Roofing Contractors Association, the Midwest Contractors Association, and the Ohio Roofing and Contractors Association.  He stresses the importance of being involved in trade organizations and all of the benefits they provide businesses in his blog, Associations Offer Business Owners Resources That They Can’t Get Anywhere Else

Go Roof Tune Up, Inc. focuses on inspecting, reporting, repairing, and warranting single family homes.  Marty Stout, the President of Go Roof Tune Up shares in his blog, 2019 Will be About Better Service, Better Relationships and Building a Better Place to Work, the specific ways his company is working hard and marking improvements.

Drew Smith, the Vice President at Brad Smith Roofing, emphasizes the role technology plays at his company.  Drew started roofing at 16 when he worked during the summer months as a laborer on new roof and repair service projects.  He provides the names of the technology-based programs his company uses and explains their benefits in his blog, From Leads to Estimates to Project Management, This Company Has a Tech Solution Every Step of the Way.

The founder of Cotney Construction Law, Trent Cotney, is dedicated to serving the roofing industry.  He specializes in roofing litigation and arbitration, including defending roofs on construction defect claims, prosecuting lien and bond law claims, defending OSHA citations, contractor licensing defense, and bid protests.  In his blog, Research Matters When Starting Your Business, Trent explains the value in researching the industry, market, prospective clients, and competitors when starting a business.

Mike Pickel started as a framer, then moved into project superintendent roles, and managed multi-million-dollar projects as a project manager.  He then co-founded Texas Traditions Roofing with his brother-in-law. Mike’s blog, Technology Can Help Support Your Business’ Growth, is a transcript of his conversation with RCS Editor, Karen Edwards.  She speaks with Mike about the ways his company is integrating technology, in addition to the benefits and challenges the company has experienced with technology.

The President of Kelly Roofing, Ken Kelly, took over the family business in 1993.  Kelly Roofing is an industry leader, ranking 53 out of all roofing contractors in America.  Ken is a traveler, businessman, and humanitarian. In his blog, You Can Make a Difference When You Participate and are Involved in Your Community, Ken stresses the importance of giving back by joining local committees, volunteering, donating free roofs, and participating in Roofing Day in D.C., among other ways.

Heidi J. Ellsworth, the owner of HJE Consulting Group and partner in RoofersCoffeeShop, has been in the roofing industry since 1993.  Throughout the years she has worked with Malarkey Roofing, Carlisle Construction, and EagleView Technologies, and founded her own roofing-focused sales and marketing consulting group (HJE Consulting) in 2015.  Heidi writes about the importance of change in order to meet market demand, employee needs, and business requirements. Her blog, 2019 is About Pushing Boundaries, highlights the ways RCS is pushing its boundaries and making changes to improve.

The President and CEO of Shell Roofing Solutions Group, Rudy Gutierrez, has helped develop strategies for companies with a focus on sustainable construction and energy efficiency for 25 years.  Energy and roofing professionals at Shell Roofing Solutions focus on eco-friendly and sustainable roofing building solutions.  In Training and Education are Imperative to the Success of a Company, Rudy shares the value and benefits of the NRCA Pro-Certification™ Program, which many of his employees are enrolled in.

In Jon Stantz’s blog, Customers Want to Be Educated, he explains the importance of providing information about each job to customers so they can make informed decisions confidently.  Jon is a salesperson and repairman for Pell Roofing and Siding, a company he has worked at since 1988. He started as an installer/groundman and has worked his way up to being a supervisor, salesperson, and repairman.

Ross Riddle has been with South Coast Shingle Company for 51 years, serving as the President and CEO for the last 20 years.  South Coast Shingle Company supplies southern California with every type of roofing and masonry material. Ross shares 11 Tips for New Contractors Just Getting Started, which include planning ahead, having a cash reserve, and much more.

Charles Antis, the founder and CEO of Antis Roofing, began his career as a roofing professional in 1984.  Throughout the years he has become one of the most trusted names in the southern California roofing industry, as well as an inspirational business leader championing social corporate responsibility.  His blog post, It’s a Super Exciting Time to be in Roofing, shares his excitement about the future of the industry.  He starts by explaining that roofing is a reliable trade that will always be around and moves into the new and exciting changes technology is bringing to the industry.

The owner of Pocket Protectors LLC, Thea Dudley, has worked for 30 years as a credit and collection officer.  Thea has been a major force in both the building industry and the credit profession to advocate for business financial health awareness through education and presenting seminars and webinars for associations.  Now as the owner of her own consulting company, Thea writes about how Giving Customers a Little ‘Extra Time’ to Pay Will Lead to Cashflow Issues.  She encourages contractors to always keep an eye on their collections and accounts receivable to keep cash flow consistent.  

In Wendy Marvin’s blog, Use Technology as Leverage to Grow your Business, she dives into the various technologies her company uses and encourages people to identify the needs of their company before settling on a specific program or technology to use.  Wendy co-founded Matrix Roofing and is now the CEO and current owner of the company, which was founded on the principles of customer service, people over profits, integrity, and trust.

Shelly Duhaime is a Captive Specialist for NFP, an insurance broker and consultant.  She has served roofing contractors for more than 21 years in risk management and alternative risk financing.  In her blog, Want to be a Roofing Contractor? Buy an Existing Company, Shelly outlines the multiple benefits to buying an existing company, such as having an existing client base and established labor.

An influencer is an authority, mentor, and expert.  We ask our RCS Influencers to answer important questions, share their opinions, and provide tips.  And many are returning for the 2020 year!  We are grateful for their insights and the wisdom they provide to our followers.

Download your FREE copy of the top influencer articles from 2019!