Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., a leading manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing systems in the United States, decided to withdraw from exhibiting at all remaining tradeshows for the remainder of 2021.

This decision was made due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and in consideration of the health and safety of staff members and the entire community.

List of the tradeshows we will not be exhibiting at enclosed below:

• International Roofing Expo (IRE)

• IIBEC/RCI-International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants

• WSRCA (WRE Expo)

• Buildex – Vancouver

• Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA)

• Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA)

• NFMTREMIX –National Facilities Mgmt. & Technology Expo ( Orlando)

• The Building Show-Construct Canada

With primary priority to the health and safety of the entire community, Polyglass stated, it was the appropriate decision to make at this time. For any questions reach out to your local Polyglass Sales Representative at https://polyglass.us/sales-representative-locator/.

About Polyglass

Polyglass U.S.A., Inc. is a leading manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing systems. Known for its self-adhered modified bitumen roofing systems based on the company’s patented ADESO® Technology and CURE Technology®, Polyglass also produces a full line of premium roof coatings and roof maintenance systems. An ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Polyglass provides quality products and adds value through innovation. For more information about the premium products and services offered by Polyglass, call 800.222.9782 or visit polyglass.us.

Family man, respected coworker and talented general contractor who built custom homes, Randy Surls will be missed by all. 

We have lost an amazing member of our roofing community and the human race, as Randy Surls passed away on July 24, 2021. Randy had held a general contractor’s license and built custom homes for years. He entered the roofing industry by working with WeatherTech Consulting Group, Progressive Roofing and WRECORP. Randy left behind his wife and life partner of 45 years, two daughters and one son and one foster son. The family has many grandchildren including step, adoptive and foster grandchildren.  

Randy was a wonderful soul, with a sense of humor and a kind smile for all. Randy was not only our employee and coworker, but more importantly he was part of our Brown family. We truly respected him for his dedication, loyalty, honesty, and most of all, generous personality. Randy was caring, fun, loving, a very giving person, always pushing oneself to be a better person, someone to look up to, with amazing personality. People with his qualities do not come around very often and this world is a lesser place without him in it. 

We have received an enormous outpouring of calls and emails from all members of the construction community expressing their sorrow and condolences on Randy’s passing. We wish to thank all of you for your kind words and thoughts. 

Our lives lost a little luster but the heavens are a little brighter. 

Learn more about ARCA and becoming a member. 

About ARCA 

Established in 1969, ARCA is a dynamic and well-respected subcontractor trade association. We have grown to become one of the largest trade associations in Arizona, with over 250 members throughout the state.

By Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA).  

The ARCA Phoenix Bowling Committee has decided to forgo the 2021 bowling tournament and instead focuses their efforts on NPFY Back-to-School Drive. 

It was a hard decision made to not host the bowling tournament this year, but as restrictions in Arizona eased up, it left the committee little time to coordinate a successful event. However, ARCA didn't let something like timing and the pandemic get in the way of giving back to the community. 

ARCA pivoted to support a Back-to-School Drive for New Pathways for Youth instead, focusing their efforts on addressing the poverty gaps felt by underprivileged children. Throughout June and July, New Pathways for Youth will be collecting backpacks and supplies.  

A backpack filled with supplies gives kids the resources they need to start the year off strong in school! Wishlist supplies are: 

• Backpacks (High School) 
• Binders 
• Lined paper 
• Pencils 
• Pens 
• Erasers 
• Notebooks 
• Folders 
• Dividers 
• Post-its 
• Graph paper 
• Highlighters 

NPFY’s goal is to collect 100 backpacks and supplies to fill them. New this year, they have an Amazon Wishlist, which will allow you to select the items you'd like to purchase, and they will be shipped directly to them. Or, you're welcome to purchase items and deliver them to the ARCA office. They will also accept monetary donations and do the shopping for you. 

Back to School donations can be delivered to the ARCA office by 12 p.m. Friday, July 23.  

Learn more about ARCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.azroofing.org.   

About ARCA 

Established in 1969, ARCA is a dynamic and well-respected subcontractor trade association. We have grown to become one of the largest trade associations in Arizona, with over 250 members throughout the state.

Vincent Abbondanza, 63, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center with family by his side.

Born in Pontecorvo, Italy on April 13, 1958, he was the son of the late Luigi and Tomassina (D’Amata) Abbondanza.

For the last 37 years, Vinny worked at OMG Roofing Products in Agawam. In his spare time, he served as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 114 and enjoyed quad riding trips with his friends. He was also an avid Boston Red Sox and Dallas Cowboys fan.

Most of all, Vinny’s family always came first. Some of his favorite times were family vacations to Disney World, trips to the beach, and any time the family was all together. Vinny never met a stranger, because everyone became a friend. He will be fondly remembered for how many lives he has touched.

Along with his parents, Vinny was predeceased by his brothers Giovanni and Giuseppe Abbondanza. To cherish his memory, he leaves his loving wife of 38 years, Susan (Iannicelli) Abbondanza of Southwick; his children Gianna and her husband Michael, Andreana, Christina and her husband Benjamin, all of Westfield, Gabriella and her husband Andrew of Washington D.C. and Domenic of Somerville; his grandchildren Brynley and Liliana; his sisters Benedetta D’Amata and her husband Gabriele and Lucrezia Abbondanza and her husband Giuseppe; his sisters-in-law Thomasina and Rosa Abbondanza, as well as many wonderful nieces, nephews and friends.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 4–8 p.m. at Southwick Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA. Funeral services for Vinny will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 beginning with visitation from 10–11 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 12 Noon at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Sheep Pasture Road, Southwick. Burial will be in the New Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Vinny’s memory may be made to Baystate Children’s Hospital, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01109. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.forastiere.com

To plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Jennifer George to guide the organization through one of the greatest building booms for the state.

For the first time in its 52-year history, as cranes tower over major projects across the state, and housing development and sales near record pace, Jennifer George has stepped in to lead the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA). As director of the organization, George will oversee the needs of its 250 members made up of commercial and residential roofing contractors, and associated businesses and manufacturers. Prior to this leadership role, she oversaw operations for ARCA and its foundation, as well as membership outreach, event coordination and sponsorship, marketing and other needs.

“We are thrilled to be able to have Jennifer take the helm after working with us for nearly seven years,” says Russel Hyman, owner and operator of Gryphon Roofing and chair of the ARCA board. “She has been with us through a few ups and downs, and pivots, and has proven to be the focused, detail-oriented leader we need. She is definitely a “go to” kind of person and are confident she will continue to serve our members and our trade association as we navigate through an exciting construction growth period in the state.”

As George steps in, the industry is experiencing material shortages, price increases and limitations on certain products that are popular in the sunny Arizona climate. An ongoing and critical area of focus will be to provide education and safety training programs for its members, now both offered virtually and in-person. Yet even with the training, the industry struggles with workforce shortages. To address these and other issues, ARCA is working with the Registrar of Contractors and the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health on licensing, standards and safety. George will also help guide the organization’s foundation that provides scholarships for continued education to ARCA’s members and their immediate family members.

George is the current co-chair for the National Women in Roofing Arizona Chapter, and was part of shaping the coalition of Arizonans for Fair Contracting. Prior to her work at ARCA, George had been an independent consultant or team member supporting a variety of events, membership and marketing initiatives, including work with the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Inspired Connections, the American Subcontractors of Arizona, and other clients. She is a proud mom of a teen and young adult and enjoys the Arizona outdoors.

About Arizona Roofing Contractors Association

The Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) is a dynamic and well-respected statewide trade association made up of commercial and residential roofing contractors and roofing-related manufacturers, suppliers and service providers. Established in 1969, this 501c3 organization represents hundreds of members making it one of the largest trade groups in the state. It focuses on advancing a code of ethics for the trades, shares relevant information on and to the industry, advances innovation in the trade sector to its members, advocates for the trades including with policy, recruits, trains and supports the trade as a career path, and advances the integrity of the trade sector to grow confidence in the roofing industry. For more information on ARCA, visit azroofing.org. For more on the organization’s efforts to advance members and their immediate family members seeking secondary education, go to Arizona Roofing Industry Foundation. Applications for scholarships are accepted through May 1st.

David had a career in roofing, most recently as a roofing estimator, and sadly passed away surrounded by family.

David Allen Lindner, 58, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away March 24, 2021, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

There will be a service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 17, at Falcon Field Park, Ramada's 5 & 6, 4800 E. Falcon Dr., Mesa, AZ 85215.

David was born on December 5, 1962, to Allen Carl Lindner and Christine Jean (Kummerer) Lindner. On May 18, 1996, David married Sheryl Leever. He is survived by his wife, Sheryl; children, Ashley (Daniel Oliver) Lindner, Amber (Brandon) Hone, Brittany Lindner, Alex Lindner, Laura Lopez and Brian (Candice) Henderson; 13 grandchildren; his mother, Christine Jean Lindner; and sisters, Lisa (Todd) Schultz and Sheila (Denny Evans) Cole. He was preceded in death by his father, Allen Carl Lindner.

David moved from Cedar Rapids to Arizona upon graduation from high school in 1981, and had a career in roofing for many years with his most recent employment at Progressive Roofing Services as a roofing estimator. David will be cremated and his services are being handled by Angels Cremation & Burials of Mesa. He has requested to be buried near his father in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McGregor, Iowa. There will be a small graveside service there at a later date.

Learn more about ARCA and becoming a member.

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter. 

ARCA’s third Annual Golf for Scholarships Tournament was an amazing success, raising additional funds to support students in their pursuit of education.    

Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) held their 3rd Annual Golf for Scholarships Tournament on January 15, 2021 at the Arizona Biltmore Golf course. This tournament was created to further support the Arizona Roofing Industry Foundation (ARIF) which works to provide scholarship awards to employees and employee family members of ARCA members.  

Alongside the golf tournament, ARIF also receives funding from ARCA’s multiple sporting clay events. In 2020, ARIF and ARCA received additional funding that will go to awarding more students with an ARIF scholarship. The scholarship selection process is highly competitive and both ARIF and ARCA are excited to extend a helping hand to more bright students.  

By supporting students in their educational pursuits, ARCA also hopes that the current roofing industry worker shortage can be alleviated with a future full of skilled, educated workers who are excited about roofing and construction.  

All ARIF scholarship applications will be made available on April 1, 2021 and will need to be completed and submitted by May 1, 2021. The awarded recipients will be for the 2021-2022 school year.  

The golf tournament at the Biltmore Golf course was a true hit among attendees and ARCA has already reserved the course for next year's tournament, taking place on January 14, 2022. 

Congratulations to the winners for the golf tournament: 

Flight A – 1st Place: 
Charles Demeter, Manny Barros, Dustin Sonn and Candias Rivera 

Flight A – 2nd Place: 
Ross Dietrich, Clint Tarpley, Jeffrey McIllece and Brandon Cox 

Flight B – 1st Place: 
Pete Schmautz, Jeff Klein, Michael Reeves and Grant Martin 

Flight B – 2nd Place: 
Sarah Weiss, Alfred Kahn, Bernie Brown and Mark Schouten 

Competition holes:  
Men's Longest Drive: Steven Ramirez, Charly's Roofing 
Men's Closest to Pin: Dale Nelson, Roofing Consultants of AZ, Inc. 
Women's Longest Drive:  Jessica Gonzalez, APOC 
Women's Closest to Pin:  Jen George, Arizona Roofing Contractors Assoc. 
Longest Putt: Brian Fleming, Progressive Roofing 

Learn more about ARCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.azroofing.org.   

An active member of ARCA and NWIR, Minnie was awarded Volunteer of the Year for her enthusiasm and hard work.

Minnie Robles, CSI, the Arizona and southern Nevada product representative for ATAS International, received the 2020 Volunteer of the Year award from the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA). 

She is an ARCA director and board member, co-chair of their expo committee and the expo auction, and is an active member of the marketing, membership and young professionals committees.  Robles also volunteers for ARCA’s bowling and sporting clay shooting committees.  As a member of the National Women in Roofing (NWiR) Phoenix council, she was nominated for the first annual NWiR World Award in 2020. 

Mark Bus, National Sales Manager for ATAS, stated, “This award recognizes her enthusiasm and hard work, and we are grateful for it. We welcome and appreciate our employees’ dedication to help the growth in the national and local association communities.  We will continue to support Minnie’s’ interest in association work and look forward to see her continued growth in ARCA and NWiR.”

Photo (left to right): Jen George, ARCA Representative; Minnie Robles, ATAS International Product Representative; Eric Perry, EcoRoofing Solutions

Learn more about ATAS in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.atas.com.

About ATAS International, Inc.

Founded in 1963, ATAS International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of metal roofing, wall cladding, ceilings, perimeter edge metal, and accessories. The ATAS portfolio features an expansive selection of products available in aluminum, steel, zinc, stainless steel, and copper. Standard profiles include narrow and wide ribbed wall panels, corrugated styles, standing seam and batten seam roof systems, metal shingles, shakes, tiles, and more. Additional options include curved, tapered, and perforated panels; concealed or exposed fasteners; smooth or embossed textures; horizontal and vertical applications; and a choice of over 40 stock colors with 70% PVDF finish.

With sustainability at the forefront of modern building design, ATAS proudly supports green building objectives with high performance solutions, such as solar-ready roof panels, insulated metal panels, cool roofing products, and solar air heating wall panels. The ATAS team consists of product and market specialists that provide a high level of support for your project, from initial discovery and design to installation.  ATAS has three ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing locations in the United States: two in Allentown, PA, including the headquarters, and one in Mesa, AZ.  For more information at ATAS International, please visit www.atas.com or call 610.395.8445.

Vernon impressed anyone who knew him with his wit, astounding roofing knowledge and sharp attire.

Our dear father and husband, Vernon John Farrow, Jr., passed away peacefully on January 4, 2021 at the age of 79.

Vernon is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Norma and their three children, Kevin, Kathy and Brandon, his 16 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Vernon was born in 1941 in Holbrook, Arizona. He lived in Hawaii, California, Colorado and finally retired to Gilbert, Arizona. In 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Norma Farrow, who was the reigning Miss Mesa Arizona at the time.

He impressed anyone who knew him with his wit, astounding roofing and political knowledge, integrity, sense of humor and was known for always being sharply dressed. Vernon was very competitive and endeavored to win at everything he participated in. He loved to play softball, was an avid golfer and always ran to his ball on the golf course. His enthusiasm for life was contagious!

Over the years, Vernon participated in many roofing associations. In the 1960s, he worked for Owens Corning Roofing and Insulation in Mesa Arizona, as well as the City of Mesa, Arizona as a Civil Engineer and Draftsman. From 1970-1980, Vernon was the Johns Manville representative for Arizona and Hawaii stationed at their Corporate Headquarters in Denver, Colorado. From 1982-1987, he worked with Thermo Materials in San Diego and became a convert to cold fluid applied roofing systems. From 1987-2015, he, along with Norma’s help, owned and operated Farrow Manufacturing, Inc. which provided commercial low slope roofing products. Vernon also enjoyed participating in local politics throughout the years.

Vernon was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was loved by all and enjoyed serving others. Some of Vernon’s greatest accomplishments were within the walls of his own home. Vernon was a natural and captivating teacher and mentor to many. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have been eternally blessed by his wisdom and the many truths he taught. We will miss his advice, competitiveness and deep love of family and friends. We are comforted by the knowledge that families are forever.

Learn more about ARCA and becoming a member.

About ARCA

Established in 1969, ARCA is a dynamic and well-respected subcontractor trade association. We have grown to become one of the largest trade associations in Arizona, with over 250 members throughout the state.

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter.  

Support these two life changing organizations through ARCA’s annual holiday drive. 

Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) young professionals have selected the organizations Home of Hope and New Pathways for Youth as the recipients for their annual holiday drive. 

ARCA invites everyone, members and non-members, to drop off unwrapped toys or to sponsor a child at Home of Hope located in Casa Grande, Arizona. If you don’t have toys to drop off you can also donate in $25 dollar increments and ARCA will purchase Visa/MC gift cards for New Pathways for Youth.  

You can sponsor a child at Home of Hope or donate to New Pathways for Youth by navigating to ARCA’s holiday drive donate page. ARCA asks that you spread the word about their holiday drive and share this information with friends and fellow members of the roofing community.  

About Home of Hope: 

Home of Hope is a residential shelter home for women ages 18 years and older who have young children ages infant to seven. The women residing in this shelter have struggled with addiction, abuse or other life-controlling problems and are seeking recovery and safety. Your donation would go towards supporting the children at Home of Hope this holiday season.  

About New Pathways for Youth: 

New Pathways for Youth, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is designed to empower children to break the cycle of generational poverty. Each child is connected to a community of mentors and learns personal development, life skills through and goal setting through various workshops and retreats. Every child at New Pathways for Youth receives one-on-one mentoring and community support so they can learn how to create new possibilities for their future.  

About ARCA:  

ARCA was established in 1969 and has grown to become one of the largest trade associations in Arizona. Their purpose is to unite the Arizona roofing industry to provide beneficial programs and services for the community. Through the support of their members, ARCA is able to provide scholarships, annual drives and other forms of support for the Arizona community.   

Help ARCA give back to these amazing organizations and donate here.  

Learn more about ARCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory.