BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.—Roofing Contractor ended the first day of the Best of Success conference by honoring two roofing companies with its highest honor - the annual Contractor of the Year award.

Coryell Roofing of Oklahoma City was named the 2024 Commercial Contractor of the Year, and Victors Home Solutions of Canton, Mich., took home the 2024 Residential Contractor of the Year honor. According to RC Publisher Jill Bloom, both companies stood out among the dozens that entered the submission process earlier this year.

“We’re here to showcase the true innovators in the roofing industry, the ones bringing the big ideas to the table … and driving the industry forward in a positive direction,” she said Thursday during the 20^th Best of Success conference at the Hyatt Regency Resort on Florida’s west coast. 

Victor Smolyanov started his company subcontracting for a larger residential roofer working in the metro Detroit area and branched out on his own in 2014. He built a business model focused on retail work, innovative marketing and emphasizing customer care. The company experienced steady growth through the COVID-19 pandemic and emerged stronger, poised for expansion across Michigan and into surrounding states.

Smolyanov thanked his wife, Lily, and his leadership team for helping him pursue his ambitions. He harked back to attending Best of Success in 2014 and being in awe of the "titans" in the room, hoping to emulate their success.

"Hard work and common sense get you a long, long way in this business. Take care of people, take care of your customers, and I'm hoping there is someone up on the stage in 10 years doing the same thing, so thank you so much," said Smolyanov.

Chris Coryell started his roofing company 13 years ago and has consistently delivered award-winning work for customers and manufacturing partners over the years. The business is a model for safety and employee retention in roofing and has prioritized solutions for school districts and other commercial roofing clients over the past few years. 

As he explained during a presentation earlier Thursday, he and officials with FM Approvals are now working to improve roofing standards in storm-prone regions to help protect school districts and facility owners. As Coryell and nearly 20 of his employees took the stage, he joked he and his colleagues travel like a football team, a visual demonstration of the company's commitment to its employees and vice versa.

"It's an honor, it's a privilege, and I commit to each of you, we will continue representing this industry in the best possible fashion," said Coryell.