ARTICLE
Dear RCAT Members, As I wrap up my term as your RCAT President, I have been reflecting on the last four years on this board and all we have accomplished together. It has been one heck of a ride, and I need to thank my dad for accidentally nominating me for the state board instead of the NTRCA chapter. That was the best clerical error of his life, and I ended up with the gavel! It has been an honor to serve this membership alongside an amazing group of industry leaders. RCAT has a big birthday this year, so I want to take you back five decades to where it all started. On November 19, 1975, thirteen contractors from across the state met in Austin for the purpose of organizing the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. FIFTY years later we are celebrating their vision and shared goals for improving the Texas Roofing Industry. These thirteen visionaries came from all parts of Texas because they shared a desire to improve the industry. They wanted education specifically designed for Texas roofers and an annual conference for the sharing of ideas. They also strongly agreed that the roofing industry needed representation at the Capitol during the legislative sessions. OC Smith, the organizer of that first meeting, was quoted in the meeting minutes as saying: “Our greatest weakness as contractors, besides the public’s perception, is our lack of unity. This organization must focus first on unity and working together. Together we are stronger as businessmen and professionals.” This certainly still holds true today and our mission at RCAT has remained steadfast. To everyone who has filled the leadership roles since that first meeting in 1975, THANK YOU! The legacy we have helped to build over these fifty years is something to be immensely proud of. Today RCAT has six regional chapters (CTRCA, HARCA, NTRCA, TPRCA, LARCA and AARCA) and together we are more than 1,400 members strong. This year so far, our family of organizations has hosted fifty-five regional lunch and learn events, Roofing Day at the State Capitol, two awards banquets, three golf tournaments, our largest fishing tournament ever, several fun networking events PLUS the 50th Annual Texas Roofing Conference. RCAT also supported four pieces of legislation during this year’s 89th Legislature. Together we pushed hard for licensing of roofers and stood behind HB 3344. We have been busy keeping our members connected, fighting for fair legislation and bringing you valuable education which has been the mission from day one. If that doesn’t scream “busy,” I don’t know what does. But then again, when you’re fighting for fair legislation, building education programs, and keeping members connected, “busy” is kind of our thing. Keeping RCAT growing and bringing value to our members requires a serious team effort. If RCAT were a roof, I would just be the flashing - loud, shiny, and occasionally unnecessary. The real structure? That would be YOU, our members! Then there is our amazing staff (Bailey, Briana, Allison, Lori, Cristina, and Sandy), you are truly the human versions of Flex Seal. Sealing every crack, catching every leak, and keeping this whole operation watertight. And of course, there is our Executive Director Sarah Ramon - the heart, the soul, and honestly the duct tape of this entire association. To everyone who has served in leadership since that first meeting in 1975 — THANK YOU. The legacy you built is why RCAT is stronger than ever at fifty. Thank you, members, for trusting me with this role. Thank you for showing up — not just at the meetings and events, but for each other, for this industry, and for the next generation of roofers. It has been an unforgettable adventure, and I would not trade it for anything… except maybe a roofing bill being passed into law. I also want to thank my family, husband and most importantly, God - for being on permanent roofing detail and keeping us all covered. With gratitude (and laughter), Jeanne Boyd Curtis, CRRL RCAT President
Dear RCAT Members, As I wrap up my term as your RCAT President, I have been reflecting on the last four years on this board and all we have accomplished together. It has been one heck of a ride, and I need to thank my dad for accidentally nominating me for the state board instead of the NTRCA chapter. That was the best clerical error of his life, and I ended up with the gavel! It has been an honor to serve this membership alongside an amazing group of industry leaders.
RCAT has a big birthday this year, so I want to take you back five decades to where it all started. On November 19, 1975, thirteen contractors from across the state met in Austin for the purpose of organizing the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. FIFTY years later we are celebrating their vision and shared goals for improving the Texas Roofing Industry.
These thirteen visionaries came from all parts of Texas because they shared a desire to improve the industry. They wanted education specifically designed for Texas roofers and an annual conference for the sharing of ideas. They also strongly agreed that the roofing industry needed representation at the Capitol during the legislative sessions. OC Smith, the organizer of that first meeting, was quoted in the meeting minutes as saying: “Our greatest weakness as contractors, besides the public’s perception, is our lack of unity. This organization must focus first on unity and working together. Together we are stronger as businessmen and professionals.” This certainly still holds true today and our mission at RCAT has remained steadfast.
To everyone who has filled the leadership roles since that first meeting in 1975, THANK YOU! The legacy we have helped to build over these fifty years is something to be immensely proud of. Today RCAT has six regional chapters (CTRCA, HARCA, NTRCA, TPRCA, LARCA and AARCA) and together we are more than 1,400 members strong. This year so far, our family of organizations has hosted fifty-five regional lunch and learn events, Roofing Day at the State Capitol, two awards banquets, three golf tournaments, our largest fishing tournament ever, several fun networking events PLUS the 50th Annual Texas Roofing Conference. RCAT also supported four pieces of legislation during this year’s 89th Legislature. Together we pushed hard for licensing of roofers and stood behind HB 3344. We have been busy keeping our members connected, fighting for fair legislation and bringing you valuable education which has been the mission from day one. If that doesn’t scream “busy,” I don’t know what does. But then again, when you’re fighting for fair legislation, building education programs, and keeping members connected, “busy” is kind of our thing.
Keeping RCAT growing and bringing value to our members requires a serious team effort. If RCAT were a roof, I would just be the flashing - loud, shiny, and occasionally unnecessary. The real structure? That would be YOU, our members! Then there is our amazing staff (Bailey, Briana, Allison, Lori, Cristina, and Sandy), you are truly the human versions of Flex Seal. Sealing every crack, catching every leak, and keeping this whole operation watertight. And of course, there is our Executive Director Sarah Ramon - the heart, the soul, and honestly the duct tape of this entire association.
To everyone who has served in leadership since that first meeting in 1975 — THANK YOU. The legacy you built is why RCAT is stronger than ever at fifty.
Thank you, members, for trusting me with this role. Thank you for showing up — not just at the meetings and events, but for each other, for this industry, and for the next generation of roofers. It has been an unforgettable adventure, and I would not trade it for anything… except maybe a roofing bill being passed into law.
I also want to thank my family, husband and most importantly, God - for being on permanent roofing detail and keeping us all covered.
With gratitude (and laughter),
Jeanne Boyd Curtis, CRRL
RCAT President