RoofViews

In Your Community

GAF Roofing Academy Graduate holds up his certificate of achievement.
In Your Community

How Attending the GAF Roofing Academy Changed One Graduate's Life

Meet Austin Teague, recent GAF Roofing Academy graduate who shares his transformational journey from ball field to the roof. Prior to the GAF Roofing Academy, he was involved in sports, worked in customer service, but lacked the experience needed to break into the roofing industry. Once he graduated from the GAF Roofing Academy, doors were then opened for him, leading to well-paying jobs as an installer and later as a salesperson, where he is currently on track to meet his financial goals.Attending the two-week program proved to be a life-changing decision for Austin, providing him with the tools and confidence needed to succeed. The course not only equipped him with technical expertise, but also instilled in him the ability to educate customers effectively. Take a listen as Austin shares his story of how he found clarity and direction in his professional life, enabling him to thrive in the industry and build a successful future for himself and his family.Are you interested in a career in the roofing industry? Look for a Roofing Academy course in your area. Video TranscriptMy name is Austin Teague. I'm originally born in Tyler, Texas. Moved to Washington when I was a kid at ten. Well, prior to joining the Roofing Academy and, you know, taking my skills to that test, I was sports, strictly sports. Everything in my life I would, you know, I'd work a customer service job. I was in the, you know, the retail industry. I worked at Walgreens, but my personal life was hectic. It was football practice, baseball practice. It was always something going on.There was always something to do. Everything when it comes to roofing, for me, started after the Roofing Academy. When I tried to get into the roofing industry before going to the Academy, nobody wanted me because I had no experience. They're going to have to train everybody on the job. But because of the roofing academy, because I knew what I was going to do day one, I knew what my job was. I couldn't run into any hiccups because I knew what showing up day one was going to look like.[00:00:56.770]So they gave me a GAF certificate with my name, the location I trained out of, and then when I graduated. And what I did with that is I took it to every single applicant or job interview I had because I wanted them to know that I have this certificate. Not saying I have it, but also bring it, so they can see it.After the academy, I landed a job at 28 an hour as an installer, which is substantial in this living, making life, making payments. And then after that, I got bumped up to 32 an hour when I was working in New Mexico. And now that I'm sales, I'm straight commission. But in this month, I'm on pace to hit 20,000. Our goal at Tristate is to educate the customers firsthand. So being at the Roofing Academy allowed me to know roofing like the back of my hand. As an installer, as a sales, as an owner, you got to see the value in the systems. And it allowed me in my head to build those value, actually explain it to the customers. Where is this number coming from? Well, it's coming from this material because this material is going to cost more, of course, but it's obviously better.[00:01:58.920]I think someone coming to the Roofing Academy right away, no experience, is going to set you up for success. That's what you want. You want to be set up for success. You want to be as many tools as you can in your tool belt to get you to that point you want to be in life. And showing up to the Roofing Academy, it changed my life drastically. I didn't know what I was going to do. I literally didn't know, if roofing wasn't the pathway for me- what was the next plan?I was just grateful. I mean, I was one day on indeed looking for jobs and I saw the Roofing Academy post on indeed looking for academy students, and I thought, why not? What's two weeks out of my life that I get to change it? If I get an opportunity to change it and that two weeks changed my life. There's no time wasted. You're here from nine to three or nine to four at the latest for your classes.You're with guys that you actually enjoy being around. The guys in my class or in the class today, they're fun guys. They all get to make mistakes and learn from each other. And it just makes me grateful that I got that opportunity to make something of myself. I'm not just another guy on the street.[00:03:00.340]I don't know what my life's going to look like in the next six months, but I guarantee it's not going to slow down. I'm going to work harder than ever. I know I got two kids at home. I have something to push me. I would say that all the success started with the Roofing Academy because my life before the Roofing Academy was kind of on a snowball effect. It had started from when I left college and then came home and it kind of just started snowballing. One thing after another was another problem, another problem. Bills at 18, going into debt. You're 18, your life isn't, you're going to ruin your life already. So you got to figure some out. And I figured it out. I got lucky enough that I found GAF and you know they still treat me well to this day. I have my Academy teacher's phone number and I call them up and help him out from time to time, and he helps me out from time to time.We still get along. And it was two weeks of my life that I knew the guy, and he still gives me a call and checks up on me and tries to: How are you doing in roofing? You still in roofing? You still making a name for yourself? You still doing what you said you were going to do? And I am. It's just good to have someone to talk to. Even if you're in this industry for ten years, I guarantee you GAF CARE will probably still give you a call and check on you. That's just what they do.

By GAF Roof Views

April 12, 2024

Featured Blogs

  • GAF Sustainability Award winners holding their award.
    In Your Community

    GAF Celebrates Major Strides in Manufacturing Sustainability

    Manufacturing sustainability is a top priority for GAF. In 2022, the company announced its 2030 Planet Goals to "focus on operational improvements, product transparency, and the introduction of circularity in the asphaltic shingle industry."Looking to lead positive change while considering the long-term impact of its business on the planet, GAF identified several goals, including:Diverting 1 million tons of roofing materials from landfills while integrating recycled shingle materials into new shingle productsDiverting 80% of manufacturing waste from landfills, recycling all shingle and TPO scrap that results from the manufacturing process, and recycling or reusing fiberglass mat scraps and coresReducing embodied carbon and operation carbon throughout its manufacturing and operationsAchieving Environmental Product Declarations for its core products, conducting life cycle assessments, and generating 2.5 GW of power from solar roofs in partnership with GAF EnergyMeeting these goals takes time, resources, innovation, and ingenuity, all backed by a team working to build a better world. Every GAF location is striving to meet the company's goals. Looking back on the progress made in 2023, some impressive accomplishments are bringing the company closer to achieving full manufacturing sustainability.Residential ManufacturingThe GAF Mt. Vernon, Indiana, shingle manufacturing plant worked toward achieving sustainable operations through robust recycling efforts. The team established a shingle recycling outlet estimated to divert thousands of tons of asphalt shingles from landfills annually. This has eliminated thousands of dollars in disposal fees and reduced transportation costs.The Mt. Vernon staff found creative ways to keep complex waste materials out of landfills, including working with a local golf course that could take the plant's waste sand. The team implemented an internal recycling program that includes cardboard and packaging materials, increasing its waste diversion score.Commercial ManufacturingAt the Gainesville, Texas, plant that manufactures TPO and Polyiso, team members earned the area's first waste diversion certification for both products' waste streams. They also earned a recycled content certification for each.The plant established a trial program with a plastics recycler to reprocess TPO skin material for reuse in manufacturing new material. Recycling and reusing would divert thousands of tons of waste from landfills and use recycled materials in manufacturing flexible TPO for flashings.The plant also developed a program with a local recycling company that serves as a single source to take its pallets, large cardboard boxes, facers, paper, and plastics.Sustainability All-StarsRecycling and manufacturing sustainability programs wouldn't be possible without the people behind the initiatives. GAF is proud to spotlight these individuals who went above and beyond to meet the company's sustainability goals.Ben AnselmanAs part of the Mt. Vernon team, Anselman was critical to starting the plant's core recycling program. He initiated repairs to an existing baler and established a program for recycling the super sacks. His creativity sparked the partnership with the local golf course to divert aggregate waste from landfills. In addition, he was the champion for the shingle recycling outlet project and repurposed an existing compactor to reinstate a cardboard recycling initiative.Christina Talladira and Amy WilsonThese teammates lead the core recycling program at the Tampa, Florida, manufacturing plant. They worked together to establish aggregate and shingle recycling programs with their local recycling company. Talladira and Wilson consistently look for ways to divert waste streams from landfills. They also handle the administrative needs accompanying these programs, including scheduling loads and tracking waste.Jeremy TisdaleAt the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plant, Tisdale took the initiative to improve its core recycling program and set up a cardboard recycling program. He also championed a baler trial for glass mat cover and core waste, developing standard operating procedures and a job safety analysis. He was the innovator behind diverting the plant's plastic waste from landfills. He created a program where stretch film and shingle bundle packaging waste is saved in Gaylord boxes and then baled whenever the plant has downtime.Pete WeyrensIn Gainesville, Texas, Weyrens is the champion behind the plant's recycling efforts, establishing relationships with the local recycling company. He also organized the flexible TPO skin material trials. This effort will divert thousands of tons of waste from landfills and use recycled materials to manufacture flexible TPO for flashings.Leslie PeelsAfter the plant in Cumming, Georgia, saw a drop in its year-over-year waste diversion rate, Peels stepped in to turn those numbers around. Leading the effort to separate recyclable materials from regular waste, the Cumming location saw an impressive increase in keeping waste out of the landfill. Peels also set an example in data collection and analysis to keep the plant's sustainability goals on track.TJ Jenkins and Todd WinsteadJenkins and Winstead represent the TPO team at the Mt. Vernon manufacturing plant. Working together, they used their knowledge and experience in the TPO manufacturing process to help earn the plant's recycled content certifications. They also found a way to divert calcium chloride from local landfills and continue to work closely with the sustainability team to support waste diversion efforts.Sustainability PromiseGAF is committed to "Protect What Matters Most," and that includes people, communities, and the planet. Its sustainability promise is an opportunity to invest in a healthy future for everyone. Learn more about that commitment in its sustainability report.

    By Karen L Edwards

    April 11, 2024

  • A group of people stand in front of a building on a construction site smiling at the camera.
    In Your Community

    Proactively Serving Our Community in Myerstown

    GAF is committed to building more resilient communities in the areas where we live and work. Working with our network of manufacturing communities, we can leverage our expertise, resources, and products to help protect the places we call home. Our local teams lend their time and talents to address the unique needs of each community, as we help support the fundamental needs of shelter, families and workforces.In the GAF hometown of Myerstown, PA, there is a committed team of employees who have been hard at work in support of this mission. Lisa Sensenig, Site Materials Manager, has taken a special interest in the GAF Community Matters initiative, and has taken on a leadership role at the plant, encouraging the team to prioritize efforts that give back to the Myerstown community. Together with Myerstown Operations Manager, Kyle Mcgrady, they have encouraged their team to kick their commitment into high gear. "Myerstown is our home. Our plant has succeeded these many years because of the community and people of Lebanon County. It just makes sense to focus our efforts, with our Community Matters program, by giving back to the place that means so much to us." says Kyle.Rather than wait for involvement opportunities to come to them, the duo proactively reaches out to groups in the community, including organizations their team members are involved in, as well as local schools and parks. Within the past year, the Myerstown employees have helped rebuild the Red Creek Wildlife Center after a devastating fire, donated both time and money to the local FRESH Start Shelter, sponsored and participated in the twice-yearly Girls on the Run 5k, and even worked with local authorities to bolster the community's catastrophe response plan.The Myerstown team feels they're getting just as much out of it as the organizations they partner with. As the team says, "Giving back to the community that has afforded our people so many opportunities, is the right thing to do, and makes us feel great."Disaster Recovery EffortsOn December 5, 2022, a devastating fire damaged the local wildlife rehabilitation center, Red Creek Wildlife Center, resulting in the tragic loss of their clinical facility and the lives of over 40 beloved animals. When Lisa saw a story on Facebook about the damage, she knew they needed to do something to help. She reached out to the Community Matters team and within the day, GAF committed to donating the roof to rebuild and expand the facility in partnership with Bachman's Roofing, Solar, & Remodeling.Providing ShelterThrough donations to the local shelter, our GAF team in Myerstown is helping feed, clothe, and provide shelter for the people of Lebanon County through the LCCM shelter's Free Noon Meals program, which serves more than 150 individuals each day. Their donations also contribute to the FRESH Start Shelter, and the team also volunteers their time to support the food pantry and meal program.Empowering Future LeadersMembers of the Myerstown team had previously worked with the Girls on the Run of Lancaster County organization, so they reached out to their local program's director to see if there were any needs they could meet – landing on a sponsorship at their twice-yearly 5K celebration. In May, members of our Myerstown team volunteered onsite at the event cheering on more than 2,500 runners and 380 coaches from the GAF "cheer zone" as they crossed the finish line. GAF's very own Maintenance Manager, Brian Dewald, even ran in the event, donning his GAF Community Matters shirt, alongside his daughter.Building a Safer CommunityOur Myerstown plant is situated just two minutes from one of the local schools, so the Myerstown team sat down with the school's superintendent and asked, "What is your greatest need right now?" As it turns out, safety – something core to who we are at GAF – was an area where they felt they were lacking. If a catastrophe were to happen in the area, the schools would serve as emergency shelters for the whole community, but they didn't have the supplies they would need if this were to happen. The Myerstown team donated funding for safety materials, such as first aid kits, traffic cones, safety vests, and two-way radios, preparing them for any potential hazards. They also collaborated with the local police department and fire company to develop an All Hazard Safety Plan for the five schools in the district.While the Myerstown team is committed to their community, they know they can't do it on their own. Lisa says, "We have such a great support system." To learn more about GAF's Community Matters initiative and the impact on our local communities, click here.

    By GAF Roof Views

    November 14, 2023

  • A colorful basketball court.
    In Your Community

    Helping to Mitigate Urban Heat Islands with GAF Streetbond Pavement Coatings

    Extreme heat has been the greatest weather-related cause of death in the US for the last 30 years. In fact, between 2010 and 2020, roughly 12,000 Americans died from extreme heat, with Native American and Black communities disproportionately affected. Around the globe, excess heat collects in urban areas and can contribute to increased heat-related death and illness, diminished quality of life, and reduced economic opportunities.One example of this urban heat is Los Angeles's Pacoima neighborhood. During days of extreme temperatures, Pacoima had seven times the number of excess heat emergency room visits (19,000 between 2009 and 2018) compared with nearby Santa Monica, an affluent community of similar size, according to Bloomberg.Economic sectors, such as tourism and local businesses, also feel the effects of urban heat. Pacoima food truck vendor Jennifer Ramirez told Bloomberg she couldn't start work until outdoor and street temperatures cooled. Otherwise, her food truck generator could blow out.Fortunately, cooling strategies are now available and being used in initiatives like the GAF Cool Community Project to help mitigate urban heat.Understanding Heat IslandsYou can envision heat islands as heat-saturated sponges spread out across vast, shimmering urban spaces. These "islands" tend to have minimal shady vegetation, so their blacktop and hard surfaces—such as pavements, parking lots, concrete recreation areas, and roofs—absorb and retain the sun's heat well into the evening. Temperatures in urban heat islands can often be 15°F to 20°F hotter than in equivalent vegetated areas.In technical terms, darker, tarmac-covered surfaces have a "low albedo" effect, which describes the ability to reflect and diffuse the sun's rays back to the upper atmosphere. Meanwhile, reflective, snow-covered regions such as the Arctic have "high albedo." Areas with low albedo are at greater risk of experiencing increased heat retention.Densely packed buildings compound a low albedo effect by preventing cooling breezes from lowering temperatures. To top it off, heat islands can trap waste heat from cars, air conditioners, and other heat-emitting devices—exacerbating the effects. In terms of detrimental environmental impacts, this is the perfect, overheated, storm.Shifting from Heat Islands to Cool CommunitiesThe GAF Cool Community Project addresses the complex issue of urban heat with a simple solution: Take a hot, sun-exposed community with an abundance of heat-retaining surfaces. Then, apply colorful, solar-reflective coating to its streets and public hardscaping—such as GAF StreetBond® pavement coatings with Invisible Shade™, which Time magazine named one of the Best Inventions of 2022.The result? Cooler surfaces and ambient air temperatures.Making Progress on Cooling PacoimaLA's Pacoima neighborhood is one example of a community hit hard by heat. A true urban heat island, it has consistently been one of the city's hottest areas. On one summer afternoon in 2022, Bloomberg reported a pavement temperature of 127°F at noon. Just one hour later, it had risen to 141.8°F.Many of Pacoima's residents are in lower-income brackets and live in spaces that haven't been fully optimized to mitigate heat island effects. So, combatting the heat became a priority for local officials and organizations. Melanie Torres, community organizer with Pacoima Beautiful, said that "the cooling solutions that were brought here to Pacoima were actually very impactful to our community." Torres shared, "it definitely cooled things down, but we definitely did need the educational aspect —beginning the discussion of climate exchange and what extreme heat is, and how we can create solutions to combat it."With resources and support from GAF and non-profit partners, more than 700,000 square feet worth of streets, parking lots, and other hardscapes were coated with StreetBond® over a contiguous 10-block area. Attractive, colorful solar-reflective materials cover the park and playground areas, and blue and white coatings brighten the public basketball court. The formerly dark streets are now a cool gray-blue.According to Miguel Angel Luna, president of Urban Semillas, Pacoima residents are right "on the front line of climate change." Urban Semillas is an LA-based social and environmental justice consultancy working with GAF on the Cool Community Project.Achieving Positive Results in PacoimaOver the past year, Cool Community Project members monitored pavement and air temperatures using sensors, satellite technology, and drones. Findings from the past 12 months of observation have shown a positive impact on the Pacoima community:Ambient air temperature (Surface temperatures have been reduced by an average of 10°F during the daytime on sunny days.The second phase of the project includes applying pavement coatings to an additional 500,000 square feet of streets and introducing a new cooling technology on select residences—Timberline® CS Shingles. These shingles are made with a highly reflective material that can help reduce attic temperatures and air conditioning costs.In addition to heat reduction and urban beautification, GAF StreetBond® can help preserve pavement. Longer-lasting pavement can save cities time, money, and resources while giving them another tool to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. This is just another way GAF is looking to strengthen communities from the ground up.Through this project, GAF and its partners aim to improve the lives of the roughly 2,000 people living within the project area of Pacoima. They're accomplishing this by taking what Jeff Terry, GAF vice president of sustainability, describes as a "complete community approach," which involves residents and local organizations coming together to create a model for cities around the world.Reducing Temperatures at HomeWhether urban or rural, all communities can use technology to help reduce indoor and outdoor temperatures. Some cooling strategies that can be effective across cities or in your own home include:Cool SurfacesSurfaces treated with solar-reflective coatings can help reduce heat absorption and lower street and ambient air temperatures. Plus, products such as StreetBond® come in a range of colors to highlight urban areas and preserve pavement.Cool RoofsSolar reflective shingles like Timberline® CS Shingles may save homeowners an average of 7% to 15% on their total cooling costs.* This cooling technology can minimize a building's solar heat gain by reflecting incoming sun rays and reemitting the absorbed energy.Ready to get started in your neighborhood? Check out the inspiring community improvement projects at streetbond.com. (A division of GAF, StreetBond® offers the same quality and reliability customers have come to rely on from North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer.)*Potential for savings depends on various factors including, but not limited to, climate zone, utility rates, location, and HVAC equipment efficiency.

    By Annie Crawford

    October 20, 2023

  • Employees at GAF Tuscaloosa, AL
    In Your Community

    Roofing Could Be Your Key to a Thriving Career in 2023

    The last few years have been a rollercoaster for workers in the U.S. The country saw its greatest job loss since the Great Depression and almost a year later faced the challenge of not having enough workers to fill job openings. It's an experience experts say has changed the American workforce and workers.As a result, 45% of employers are shifting their hiring practices and focusing more on skills and competencies versus degrees. So what jobs can help build the right kind of skills that will open more doors? Try roofing.Whether the interest is in finding a side hustle, a fresh start, or learning about different career paths, roofing helps build skills that translate across industries and sectors— from building and construction to manufacturing, human resources, sales, and more.From Side Hustle to Business OwnerErasmo "Mitos" Fuentes started his career as a teacher and got into roofing as a way to bring in extra money—but after his first day on a roof, he knew he could grow it into a full-time job. He made his way up from roofer to business owner and now works for the largest roofing manufacturer in North America.It all started when Fuentes was purchasing roofing materials and met a representative from roofing and waterproofing manufacturer GAF, whose expertise helped open new doors. "He explained the differences between shingles without dismissing any other brands or promoting GAF; he was just there to help me," said Fuentes, who found a mentor in his fellow roofing professional as he built his business.Passionate about sharing his knowledge with others, Fuentes later became a trainer at GAF's Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence (CARE) where he teaches courses in Spanish to roofing contractors. He and other industry experts guide more than 364,000 professionals across North America, teaching them everything in roofing—from installation to sales techniques. The courses are provided in both English and Spanish and range from live, hands-on training in centers across the country, in locations such as Minneapolis, MN; Michigan City, IN; Dallas, TX; Parsippany, NJ, and more, to virtual seminars that cover the industry's best practices and trends.Today, Fuentes is referred to by his peers as The Maestro because of the way he's helped and impacted others through roofing. A teacher, roofer, business owner, and GAF CARE trainer, he represents the roofing community's passion for lifting others up.No Formal Education? No Problem, in Roofing It's All about the Training!Roofers are among the construction industry's unsung heroes—they help families and communities protect what matters most, starting with the roof over their head. There's a need for skilled roofers and demand for 19,000 new jobs is expected by 2028.Roofing is a profession with few barriers—no degree or schooling required and national programs like GAF Roofing Academy help people of all backgrounds get into the field. Roofing Academy started three years ago and today includes a free two-week training course that combines classroom and on-the-roof training, led by expert instructors that prepare students for an entry-level position. After completing the program, graduates have access to job opportunities from thousands of GAF-certified contractors nationwide.To date, GAF Roofing Academy has trained over 2,000 graduates and, in 2022, 57% of its students were placed in jobs across the country. Training goes beyond installation and includes skills for roles such as solar installer, sales, estimator, foreman, project manager, and more. More than 20 trainings are expected to take place across the country in 2023 from Baltimore, MD to New Orleans, LA to Kansas City, MO, and beyond.Apprenticeships and training programs like these are also critical to diversifying the workforce and increasing earnings. More than a third of 2022 GAF Roofing Academy students were at-risk, justice-involved, or transitioning military. More than 60% were Black or Hispanic and nearly 15% identify as female.Roofing Teaches You Skills in Construction—and BeyondThe roofing industry opens the door to multiple career paths—some don't even require you to get up on a roof every day. Kelvin Thomas, for example, has had a 44-year career in roofing operations and held 16 different positions that helped expose him to opportunities in manufacturing, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and human resources in multiple cities.His first "real paying" job was in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, AL, starting on the clean-up crew at a GAF manufacturing facility. Over the course of his 44 years with GAF, Kelvin explored careers at GAF and held roles that ranged from a Lab Tech, a Regional Manager of Warehouse Operation, to a Sr. Director of Distribution. Today, Kelvin holds the position of Vice President of Operations Culture and Employee Engagement. This leadership role has brought his career full circle, giving him the opportunity to shape the culture and develop the future for frontline manufacturing professionals—the exact place his career started. Being a leader for the next generation of frontline employees allows him to share the valuable lessons he's learned in his roofing career, while driving continuous improvement in roofing operations and beyond."Sometimes our qualifications don't check all the boxes, but if you keep trying and have faith in yourself, someone will be willing to take a chance on you," explains Thomas.Roofing is an often overlooked opportunity for anyone interested in starting a career with endless opportunities for professional and personal growth. It's also a chance to make a meaningful impact on communities, helping neighbors to protect their homes and build resilience that can have a lasting impact on their families and lives.More information about roofing programs and opportunities can be found at gaf.com/LearnToRoof.

    By GAF Roof Views

    July 13, 2023