b'President\'s Message The Road to Success Ronnie McGlothlin, MRCA President A we celebrate this year\'s Midwest Roof accepted its recommended -inch minimum s ing Contractors Associationslope to provide proper drainage. (MRCA) National Conference, MRCA 500 .RoadAnd we didn\'t shy away from controversy in The to Success, Ito travel down memory1966, as evidenced by the national conference want lane (pun intended!) to acknowledge andheadline program, "Ban the Pan." celebrate some of the MRCA successes thatThe 1980s Single-ply and builthave paved the way to where we are today.-MRCA has served the roofing industry forup roofing the past 61 years! Although we have come toSome programs require repeat performances as studies to determine the problems as and NRCA research report p d offer members aof resources andresente at multitude sociated with single-ply roofing systems inthe MRCA national conference,APP and benefits, research and technical issues remainSBS the driving forces behind the organization.BitumenSurtheir infancy, including the 1981 programModifiedMembrane Roofs: A "Recommended Performance Criteria for PVCvey ofPerformance. A The Technical and Research (TR) Com Fieldrevised version & Single-Ply Roof Membrane Systems" followedof thewas presented again in 1996. mitteeischargedtechnicalreport with investigating issues that impact the roofing industry. Throughby the 1982 session "Recommended Perfor In 1995, 1996, and 1997, MRCAAdvisor &RMRCA has contributedmance CriteriaE tomeric Single-PlyRene Dupuis,PE, presented the results theCommittee,forlas PhD T significantover the years thatRoof Membrane Systems."of testing different manufacturers\' modified studieshave influenced our industry, and it continues to doLater programs on single systemsbitumen products for strength, dimensional isaofmany accom became more specific-a 1986 session at thestability, and granular loss. Again, MRCA preso today. Hererundownthe plishments MRCA has contributed to our industry.national conference focused on "EPDM Lapsented unbiased opinions and allowed roofing The 1960s We\'ve got gutsAdhesives Past, Present, and Future Use andcontractors to make informed decisions. &R- held a program at thePerformance." EPDM shrinkage problems wereNow and in the futureThe TCommitteeaddressed again in 1994, 1996,2000. MRCA National Conference entitled " GutsandImproving the industry TheBuilt-up roofing materials came under of aRoof-The Applicator\'s SearchAs I think about all that MRCA has accomGoodscrutiny in 1984 and 1987 with testing of for Standards &tablished by Field Testing."fiberglass Type IV roofing felts and aplished in terms of providing information follow-up Paul Morris presided over the program,in 1997 showing the results of testing onto roofing contractors about technical and which included test cuts from many roofsresearch issues, Ihow far we have present-day Type IVType VI roofing felts.realize and throughout the midwest that withstoodThe C Torch Welding Applicatorcome and how much of an impact MRCA has ertified the test of time. Using sophisticated testingProgram (CERTA) was developed and approvedhad on the roofing industry. As an organizaequipment to determine what made a "good"in October 1986.(Itlater expanded andtion, we are committed to advocating for our was roof, roofing contractors analyzed the testrevised in 1995 and 1999.) In 1998,CERTAmembers and giving them the tools they need the cuts. This program marked the MRCA\'s role asprogram received the highest honor given byto be informed, educated roofing contractors. the "contractor\'s advocate" for practical roofthe National Roofing Contractors Association,We are the contractor\'s advocate for practianalysis and determination of roofing productits Gold Circle Award.cal roof analysis and detennination of roofing and application quality.product and application quality. Thank With theseMRCA established itselfyou sessions, as aadvocate for the roofing in JohnsonMRCA rocked the industry and proved itselfto past presidents Cliff,Jim Barr,John consummate to be unafraid of controversythe 1960Daly, and Dennis Runyan; advisors Dr. Rene withdustry. By naming names and showing actual national conference educational programtest results,allows the roofing contractorDupuis and Kurt Baumgartner; and all the MRCA "Poured Lightweight Concrete and Gypsumboard members for their hardthis year. I to make informed, fact-based decisions.work Decks-Positive Failures." One might assumecould not have done it withoutur help. yothat more than afollowed1990s-ModifiedAs we prepare for the MRCA 61st National Thebitumen little consternation that program!Modified bitumen made its appearance onConference, Ito lookthe rearview invite youin In 1965, MRCA issued the first of its publi the center stage with the technical documentmirror to see where we\'ve been, but at the RecommendedCriteria cations: "Don\'t Panic: Here\'s How to Make aPerformanceforsame time, keep your eyes focused on the ModifiedRoofSystems. Roof Drain." The publication made dead-levelBitumenMembraneroad ahead and move forward to create more roofs a thing of the past as architects uniformlyThat was followed in 1994 by a joint MRCAsuccesses. 4Midwest ValuesBus inessResourcesNetworking'