MCA Celebrates 2017 Triumph Award Winners At METALCON Event

Chicago, IL – On October 18, the Metal Construction Association recognized prominent companies and individuals at its 2nd Annual Triumph Awards recognition ceremony and dinner. The event was held at the Westgate Las Vegas, adjacent the Las Vegas Convention Center, which was hosting METALCON 2017, the all-metal-construction convention and trade show. MCA is that show's chief sponsor. 

The Triumph Awards were conceived as a means of recognizing the significant contributions made by both companies and individuals active day-to-day in the metal construction industry. The inaugural event was held last year during METALCON in Baltimore, MD. 

The latest winners include some of the industry's most recognizable faces, as well as some relative newcomers. A complete list of winners, plus biographical/nominating information follows.

INDUSTRY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Dick Bus
ATAS International
Allentown, PA
Dick Bus is the President of ATAS International, Inc. and the Vice President of BRIGHTSMITH Coaters. He has been involved in the metal construction industry for most of his life. In 1963, Dick's parents, Jack and Nel Bus, started Aluminum Trim And Shapes in the basement of their family home in Rochester, NY. Dick would work with his parents and seven brothers and sisters when he returned home after school each day. Dick has volunteered in many positions and committees in the industry over the years, to help further the use of metal in commercial and residential construction. He has been very involved in the Metal Construction Association over the past 20+ years, and is a past president of that organization. Currently, he is the president of the Metal Roofing Alliance and ATAS was one of the first members of the MRA. ATAS has been an exhibitor at every METALCON show since its debut. Dick has also represented the metal industry on the National Roofing Contractors Association's Industry Advisory Board. His support of many other industry associations, including CSI, AIA, USGBC, RCI, SARA, SCIP, MBCEA, just to name a few, have contributed toward the awareness and advancement of the metal construction industry. Dick has also has been instrumental in ATAS achieving IAS AC478 Accreditation. 

INDUSTRY YOUNG MOVERS & SHAKERS

Shawn Haddock
S-5!®
Colorado Springs, CO
Shawn Haddock has held many titles over the years with S-5! and is currently Director of Training and Field Applications Specialist. He has been with S-5! for over 16 years; the longest employee tenure within the company. Shawn is a hands-on guy. Prior to working with S-5!, he owned and operated a company installing S-5! products and systems. His background also includes steel erection and metal roof installation, including Decra stone-coated shingle products. He is a key PR and relationship emissary for S-5!, helping contractors in the field to understand the company’s products and do it “the right way”. His broad field experience and product expertise is foundational in working with installers, who respect his know-how and appreciate his friendly smile and quiet, confident demeanor. He also heads the Warranty department and the training department for staff, customers and installers. He supports the S-5! vision of growing and improving the metal roofing industry with active participation on several MCA committees, including previous co-chair on the Retrofit committee. In his spare time Shawn carries on family traditions with his photography, horses and chasing rodeo competitions with his kids.

Brandon Kilpatrick
DI Roof Seamers Canada
St. Catharines, ON
Brandon serves as the National Manager for DI Roof Seamers' Canadian Service and Distribution Centre. He serves multiple roles and has proven to be an asset to his company, co-workers, and team. Working across Canada, he travels representing a wealth of knowledge for his product offering and customer needs. Business Development Manager Bo Newman states "Brandon is a one-of-a-kind asset for us. I don't know where we would be without him." Brandon is a father of 3 and enjoys time with his family.

Haley Dee Iselin
Metal Roof Specialties, Inc.
Tacoma, WA
"Haley is the perfect candidate for this recognition. Since she was a little girl she has been a leader and contributor to her community. You will see that from the attached CV and supportive letters. The previous awards she has received are hard to imagine for a person so young. Her real passions are helping those in need and promoting metal as the premier building material. In her own home her roof, garden shed, fences, interior fireplace surround and kitchen bar are all metal clad and beautiful examples of her passion and enthusiasm for metal. The metal community in the Puget Sound region is looking to Haley for guidance and creative ideas. Haley has been committed to metal all her life and now, as the Vice President of Metal Roof Specialties, she continues building her legacy as a real leader in the industry. While promoting all the benefits of metal she expends a considerable amount of energy with community involvement. Her commitment to Rebuilding Together South Sound as a board member and board President, as well as her recognition as a Girl Scouts “Woman of Distinction” recently, illustrate her compassion. Her induction into the Pierce County “Forty under Forty” shows her leadership as she was recognized in that competitive group at the age of 29. Her recent work with a local high school to use metal roofing and siding on a project to build a small house for homeless use won a first-place award. Haley met with the students to help them appreciate and understand the many uses for metal. She also recently became a SMART recovery facilitator to help people whose loved ones are fighting the opioid epidemic deal with this devastating disease. This young lady would be a fantastic representative as a Triumph Award recipient."  

INDUSTRY MEDIA EXECUTIVE/JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Christina Koch
Retrofit Magazine
Sioux City, IA
Christina Koch is Editorial Director of Retrofit Magazine. Under her direction, the magazine has won several awards, including national AZBEE Awards for editorial and design. Prior to joining retrofit, Koch was the editor of several nationally circulated trade magazines, including a residential remodeling magazine and a commercial green-building magazine. She has traveled extensively across North America and Europe, meeting with architects, engineers, contractors, and manufacturers to learn about innovations and successes in design and construction. Koch is active in industry trade associations and has been interviewed by well-known news organizations, including The New York Times and San Francisco’s KTRB-AM 860 radio station. She notes interviewing former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley as her most memorable professional experience.

John Paul Lawrence
Modern Trade Communications
Skokie, IL
John Paul Lawrence acts as President of Modern Trade Communications, publishers of Metal Architecture and Metal Construction News magazines, MTC reaches more than 90,000 people in the metal construction, design and building professions. 

INDUSTRY SALES PERSON OF THE YEAR

Ken McLauchlan
Drexel Metals
Berthoud, CO
Ken serves as the Director of Sales for Louisville, Kentucky based Drexel Metals. He has been employed within the metal industry for over 25 years, with his experience being developed as an installer, project, and operations manager in the architectural sheet metal industry. His career grew as he moved to the manufacturers' side of the industry, by excelling at outside / architectural sales, then regional manager, and to currently the director of sales, by the value he brought to contractors and the design community. His hands-on experience, coupled with his ability to understand and work within both aspects of the Architectural Sheet Metal Industry, make his knowledge invaluable to his customers and company. Known for finding the solution to the problem and working through to make sure that the partnership aspect is met by all involved. Ken is known throughout the industry as an expert in the portable onsite roll forming process, sheet metal fabrication process, shop layout, and equipment procurement. His real-life experience and passion for the industry allows him to speak from past successes and failures to meet the needs of the new sheet metal contractor or to process improvements for the seasoned contractor. Ken has been recognized as a sales leader at numerous positions through his tenure in the industry. Ken has a degree from the Colorado School of Trades and is continuing his education to receive his BA in Business Management. Ken lives in Northern Colorado with his wife Jackie and their ever-present pets. When Ken is not travelling to visit, and grow their customer base, he travels to visit his son serving in the US Army, and his family and friends throughout North America. Ken has many passions outside of work, including riding Harley-Davidsons, hitting the single-track trails on mountain bikes, using his culinary skills with friends/family, and spending time with Jackie enjoying everything this great country has to offer.

Chris Kroeter
ATAS International
Allentown, PA
Chris Kroeter, CSI, CDT, LEED Green Associate, MCA Certified Installer, is an Architectural Product Representative for ATAS International, Inc. His territory includes northern New Jersey, Metro New York and Long Island. Chris was named the recipient of ATAS' annual Malan S. Parker Award to recognize the ATAS salesperson of the year for 2016. This was the third time in the past seven years he has won the award; Chris also won it in 2012 and 2013. He was chosen to receive the award for the overall sales growth within his territory, and observance of corporate goals and objectives. Chris has superior skills in his consultative approach to assisting architects, contractors and owners. He is able to guide them through their design vision to the finished building. Chris, a 2nd generation installer, has experience working as a contractor since he was 10 years old, which has been quite valuable in explaining installation techniques to other contractors. He is also very mindful of providing education on building envelope solutions and how ATAS products can contribute to a building's form and function. Mark Bus, National Sales Manager for ATAS, stated "Chris brings a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to the ATAS team and to our customer base. He is also very instrumental in driving the benefits of ATAS and metal throughout the industry at CSI, AIA, and MCA events. The ATAS salesperson of the year award proves and recognizes all of the hard work and dedication Chris gave throughout 2016. We congratulate him for his accomplishments and thank him for his continued service to ATAS." 

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Jeff Patch
Premium Panels
Arvada, CO
I was put on the roof at a very young age with my cousins. I thought at the time that roofing was certainly not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life but I put myself through college as a roofing installer and sheet metal shop fabricator. I quickly realized that the roofing industry is where I was going to stay.  After college I stopped being an installer and went into distribution for a local family-owned business as an inside sales representative, then moved to outside sales.  Through that transition I realized that there was a hole in our industry in the Denver area and a friend of mine and client showed me that metal was going to be the way to go in the roofing world. I had installed some standing seam and a ton of aggregate-style screw-through-the-top panels during my roofing career and decided to run with it. I bought my first panel machine from Englert, a Wilder slitter and a Chicago 10’ hand brake and started in my garage. Soon after I started business I realized that it was not going to be easy. It was a lot of hard work, long hours and very stressful times. 9/11 hit and we lost all of our contracts and fell on seriously hard times. We were about to go bankrupt because we didn’t have any jobs for almost 6 months. We finally had things turn around in March of 2002. Since that job, things have been going crazy and we have grown to 35 employees and 2 locations that service over 25 states on a regular basis. We always say if you can put on paper we can make it, and even if you can’t draw it we probably can make it. 

CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Drexel Metals
Louisville, KY
Helping the inner city kids of Louisville: This year Drexel Metals sponsored 40 “inner city” kids to attend a four week Basketball camp during the summer. The kids were required to maintain good grades and had to have a parent engagement that otherwise would not have been able to afford or attend the basketball camp. Drexel has received tremendous recognition within the community and were sponsors with Papa John’s (HQ out of Louisville). Drexel Metals donated all roofing materials to the Amazing Grace Ministries in South Jersey that builds homes for Veterans. Drexel Metals also donated all roofing and wall materials (full reserved aged inventory) for the Libertae Women’s Shelter for substance, drug and domestic abuse. Drexel is also engaged with the Industry Alliance for Progress - Ronald McDonald House Charities to ensure families have a roof over their head while helping their kids get well. Drexel Metals also met the requirement to become a B-Corp: B Corps is a new type of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Drexel has also contributed to Habitat projects throughout the US. 

ATAS International
Allentown, PA
ATAS International, Inc. is committed to bettering the world outside of our normal business through involvement and dedication to several causes and charities. Many years ago, we began "Casual Cash for Charities". Employees pay $2.00 each Friday for the privilege of wearing jeans to work that day. At the end of each round, participants vote on a charity to which those proceeds are donated. To date, this effort has raised over $15,000 for a variety of local charities. Many other charitable events are held throughout the year, including: * Sponsoring an employee team for the Greater Lehigh Valley CANstruction competition. All canned goods and proceeds benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. * Sponsoring an employee team for the annual Ice Cream Wars competition, to benefit the DaVinci Science Center and the education of children in the sciences. * Donation of storage space, goods and services to the Boy Scouts of America Trexler District (Dick Bus received the "Good Scout Award" in 2015 from the Trexler District for his support and leadership in the Boy Scouts). * Bi-annual Adopt-a-Highway clean-up events, in which employees participate to clean up our community. * Annual blood donation days with mobile blood mobile parked outside of ATAS' HQ in Allentown, PA. * Coat and warm clothing collection point for "Project Keep Warm" through the Lehigh Valley Business Group. * Support of Parkland's Girls' Soccer Program and coaching time volunteered by employees. * Supporting the first annual Let's Build Construction Camp for Girls event this year and hosting a plant tour for the girls/ * Sponsoring employee teams for numerous fundraising walks and runs. * Participate in the "What's So Cool About Manufacturing?" student video contest, to introduce middle school students to possible careers in manufacturing. * Sponsor the Lehigh Valley Festival of Art, Science and Technology and Lehigh Valley Science Festival. * Annual sponsor of a Student Excellence Award at the DaVinci Science Center's Hall of Fame Gala. * Annual sponsor of the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) events. * Sponsor of a new preschool exhibit at the DaVinci Science Center, featuring Engineers on a Roll. * Support of Sacred Heart Regional School's Summer Enrichment Program.  

EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Barrett Hahn
Roofing Magazine
Durham, NC
In March/April 2010, Carolinas Roofing published its first issue. As the years passed, its staff was approached several times to expand the magazine to surrounding states or launch additional roofing publications for other regions. After thoughtful consideration, the owners reinvented Carolinas Roofing as Roofing in January 2014. The new magazine builds on four years of solid editorial and design, as well as fulfills the owners’ goals of educating the industry.  

About The Metal Construction Association

The Metal Construction Association brings together a diverse industry for the purpose of expanding the use of metal in construction through marketing, research, technology, and education. Companies involved in MCA benefit tremendously from association activities that focus on research, codes and standards, market development, and technical programs. MCA’s market development efforts increase the use of metal in construction by educating the building and design communities about the benefits of metal. For more information about MCA, visit www.metalconstruction.org.