b'Presidents MessageINCOMING PRESIDENTS MESSAGELaurie Moore, MRCA PresidentF or those who havent met medifferences, we seem to share a common bond in the trenches yet, I am president and soleof running our roofing companies. owner of a 100-year-old roofingIn 2014, I was invited to serve on the MRCA board.I knew and sheet metal company inthis opportunity would include working closely with well-Peoria, Illinois. respected contractors who are not my competitors and experts Like a lot of other rooferswho would be present at the board meetings.I was confident kids, I was climbing up laddersthat the relationships built while working together would bring before I was in kindergarten.At 20, I proposed that I workme peace of mind in knowing where to go when my company on the roof so I could understand the methods and timehas a difficult challenge.In this industry, there are always new requirements of the work firsthand.What I didnt realize wasthings to fear and luckily, in the MRCA community there is no that a term of this proposal with my dad, Arnie Heller, maylimit on comfort or support.have been that every job I was scheduled to work on was aWhat I discovered in my time on the board is that it was even pitch and fiberglass tear off.I mostly worked the chute andmore exciting to be of help than it was to receive it.I clearly was instructed to watch it all the way downlol.In theremember being asked about my experience with a consultant meantime, I was still trying to drag my dads company out ofand I was told my information was helpful. I was surprised to the rotary dial phone-CB radio-typewriter era. know my experience and knowledge had value to someone I In 2005, I received an ultimatum to either buy the company orrespected.Sometimes we dont realize what we already have forever let it go.I saw potential with the reputation my dadis valuable to others until it is shared. Through my sharing spent 50 years building mostly intact, so I moved forward toof ideas and experiences in MRCA committee and board figure out the purchase and continuity of the company. meetings I could see that some of my participation actually By 2009, the company was mine alone to captain.It felt likebecame interwoven into the fabric of the industry.I was steering the titanic to avoid hitting an iceberg that couldI realize the importance of continuing the MRCA for the take down not only my family financially, but also that of thebenefit and long-term success of my company. Just as I fiercely other employees that now depended on my ability to lead andprotect my company, I fiercely protect the MRCA. We are a make good decisions. collection of contractors who compulsively seek to improve This was a scary, heavy and lonesome burden. our businesses.We all bring our unique sets of experiences and knowledge together along with our instant understanding Growing up, I heard stories of my parents attending theof ideas communicated in our preferred direct style along with MRCA.There was a lot of fun, but also serious discussiona heaping cup full of passion to bring you the best support we and learning.When faced with business challenges, mailingcan dream up.off materials to Renee Dupuis for testing along with polaroidsI look forward to continuing to take additional steps toward of shattered roofs, consulting with Stephen Phillips for legalbeing the best support we can for roofing contractors in the guidance and trading succession planning ideas with Glenncoming year of MRCA.We will be spending time assessing Langer were all part of the intrinsic benefits of the MRCA. the current needs and key topics on which to focus our Realizing the many liabilities and challenges of this businessresources. Please reach out to the MRCA with your ideas or was scary, but I knew the MRCA was where my company gotbe thinking about what is important in your business as you help before and it was still there for me. may be the next contractor we reach out to for input.When youre in survival mode, its hard to justify the time and money spent on going to MRCA; however, the need to connect with experts supporting the industry and other contractors who shared my pain was greater. MRCA proved to be a place whereLaurie MooreI could experience the relief of instant understanding betweenMRCA Presidentcontractors.Contractors by nature seem to be highly receptiveKreiling Roofing Companyto direct and efficient communication. While we have many www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer 5'