b'MRCA Past PresidentsCONTRACTORS PRESERVING THE INDUSTRYLaurie Moore of Kreiling Roofing Co. Peoria, ILI t was great to see so many ofAfter working through a buyout that spanned 2005-MRCAs Past Presidents gathered9, I put my nose to the grindstone and survived.In in Omaha at the Past Presidents2014, Mark Langer (Past President 2017) of Langer dinner whether they were there toRoofing in Milwaukee invited me to serve on the see old friends, be recognized forMRCA Board of Directors.His father and my father their many years of giving time andbecame the closest of friends through the MRCA treasure to the group or just to seeconferences and Mark knew of my relatively new what the MRCA is up to.A special thank you goesposition, my strengths and my weaknesses in the to Bob Swanda (Past President 2004) of Independentbusiness.At the time, I assumed all the members Roofing Co. for hosting us and encouraging soof the Board already knew everything there was to many to come together for the celebration of hisknow about the roofing business.I was concerned Omaha-based companys 100th anniversary. that I didnt know enough or the right things to be At the dinner, I shared some personal history withhelpful in that position.Boy, was I wrong!Not only the group to let them know how their efforts todid everyone not operate perfect businesses without help the MRCA continue have been recognized bystruggles but seemed to think my perspective was many on a personal level.My father worked in ourworthy of a listen (not that they were given much roofing business starting in the 1950s and becameof a choice).an owner at the age of 59 in 1984. He was activeIt is important to recognize and tell about the Past in MRCA starting in the mid 70s and served on thePresidents so that others can see that the people board in the early 90s.It was through the supportwho became President of the association simply of this organization and the relationships he formedcared about the support of their own business and there that we were able to be the best companyfound that it was easier with the help of the group. in our area to work with and for.The friendships heSomeone on the Board had confidence in the ability formed there were instrumental in his successionof each of these people and asked them to also plan that may have partially failed since it wasntserve on the Board.Finding this valuable support really part of that plan for me to run the company,makes you want the MRCA to remain a strong but my brothers desire to find other ways to spendsupport resource so others dont have to know how his time gave me that opportunity. hard it is to operate a roofing company without it.16 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'