b'President\'s Message Busy and Ever Mindful Steve Little, MRCA President 1hisbeen a joyous time for the roofing indusLry, asofare busythroughbacldog offrom summer hasallusworkingtheprojects Lhe winler monthsplowingoursummer andthroughtraditionalwork. Despite the proliferation ofcontinue to face serious challenges in our\\%enattended the Weslern States work, weindustry.I Roofing Contractors Association conference inheard fellow contractors andoutside the Midwest share the June, Imanufacturers sameg that trucking andshortages aretimes byweeks comparedlastummer. concerns, includin ISOdelaying delivery2-3withsManufacturers and distributors are collaborating to find solutions to these two issues, butcontractors musta better for now,do clients job educating theirabout potential delays. Moreover, findingpeople continues be troublesome, with general contractorsothertrades seemingly goodandsubcontractor onpress toourstry\'s employees. This will continue to impactroofing industry\'s workforce-developmenl a full-courtsolicitindu the problemthe forforeseeable future. Bul Lhere is good news: 50-plus MRCA boardcommiLtee members met for ourmeeting in late. I\'m pleased andsummerJuneto report thatfor the 2014 MRCAAnnual Conference on10-12Grapevine, TX, is ahead ofre planningDecemberinschedule. Moindustryand manufaclurers already have signed up for this conference than any other inpast 5 years. suppliersthe I need to apologize thatthe pasL, we did noL do our job ofthe importance ofcontent and hours of indefiningtheeducation conferences.L, developed for our1his year, we will feature "learning labs" on safety plans, growing your service departmenand foreman andmanagement. In addition, ourContractors Council (YCC) will bea 90-minute superintendent projectYoungholding sharingbusiness practicesthein a roundLable onbestin safety, sales, workforce development, climbingladdercorporate environment, immigration, and technology. Dr. Rene Dupuis will leadtheyears ofMRCATechnical and a discussion reviewing65 Committee accomplishmentsbothall roofing Researchthat have greatly helpedMRCA members andcontractors. MRCA also ,,viii launchfirst service project, for which ourvvill lead uswith Rebuilding Together" Greater Dallas (visit itsYCCin partnering wvvw.rebuildingdallas.org) onDecember 10. Be sure to checktheinformation (see pageandY\'WW. Wednesday,outconference6) mrca.org for more details. Finally, I\'m pleased to announce thatits pastandspouses at this year\'s conference with MRCA will recognizepresidentstheir thefloorduringJusthave a special display onshowandvarious events.as the MRCA directors, commiLLee members, and staff worked tirelessly thisatourvalue expectaLions and makingthese past yearexceedingmembers\'MRCA sustainable,presidents unselfishly volunteered their time andto help makehatis today. effortsMRCA w it Be safe outbecause the combination ofwarmerandernmentrecipe for there,heavy workloads,weather,gov regulators is a carelessness. Follow the MRCA, SHARP, and CERTA programs in your daily activiLies to help bringmen home safe every your night. Be safe and profitable! Steve Little, presidentcoach, KPost Company, Dallas, TX and head steve.little@kpostcompany.com 4www.mrca.org- M idwest Roofer'