b'Presidents Message2018 MRCA Presidents Farewell AddressGreg Sprague, MRCA PresidentMy term as the 2018 MRCA President and my service to the MRCA over the past ten years as an Officer and Director is coming to an end.It has been a unique and rewarding experience as well as a tremendous amount of hard work!Over those past ten years I have witnessed tremendous change in this association.I have watched the MRCA transition through three different association management firms and move from a position of strong financial health, to one where I seriously had my doubts if the MRCA would be able to financially survive.Today, the MRCA is back on a strong financial footing thanks to a successful Conference and Expo, increased CERTA revenue and membership dues.My goal this past year was to increase MRCA membership and the attendance at the MRCA Conference and Expo while maintaining a strong financial position for this association.Thanks to the hard work of the MRCA Officers, Board of Directors, Committee Members, the Advisory Council and MRCA Staff, I am pleased to report that the MRCA attained those goals.The MRCA added 74 new members in 2018 with total MRCA membership currently standing at 540 members. We more than doubled our attendance at the 2018 MRCA Conference and Expo this year in Omaha from the previous year with 1045 contractor members visiting the tradeshow floor.When we include our participating exhibitors, total attendance was between 1500 and 1600 conference attendees!I am also pleased to report that between the YCC Welcome Party and the Foundation Auction, over $71,000.00 was raised for the MRCA Foundation.The Roofing Industry is constantly changing and the MRCA will evolve and change right along with it, putting a stronger emphasis on safety, work force training & development, and risk management member benefits.The one thing that doesnt seem to change with the MRCA are the contributions made in time and treasure by those who have volunteered in the past and those who continue to volunteer and serve as the Officers, Directors and Committee Members of this fine association.These people do if for the benefit of the industry in which they make their living and most of them contribute with little or no regard for personal or financial gain. It has been my pleasure to have had the opportunity to serve with these fine men and women and I only hope I have been able to contribute and provide as much value to them over the years as they have provided to me.As I bid you farewell, my last act as the 2018 MRCA President is to leave you with these final thoughts. The MRCA was, is, and will continue to be, The Roofing Contractors Advocate!Sincerely,Greg Sprague2018 MRCA PresidentSprague Roofinggmsprague@spragueroofing.com4 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'