Beacon Building Products announced its top five candidates for 2023 Female Roofing Professional of the Year, with voting open now and a potential $10,000 grand prize for the winner; the four finalists each receive $1,000.
Now in its third year, the contest was designed to support professional development and further gender equality in an industry once dominated by men. Beacon will announce the winner and runners-up in June.
“Women are an essential part of the roofing industry and continue to deliver excellent customer service, innovation and dedication to core values in the varied roles they serve in the roofing industry,” Christine Reddy, Beacon’s executive vice president and general counsel, told Roofing Contractor last March.
“Beacon recognizes the importance of women in our industry, and this campaign was created to spotlight their significant contributions,” Reddy added. “We hope [people] take a moment to nominate a woman in roofing so that we can share their inspiring stories of values-based leadership.”
The 2023 Candidates for Female Roofing Professional of the Year
Candy Caboverde, president
City Roofing, Miami, Fla
Shortly after Hurricane Wilma wreaked havoc on Florida, Caboverde said she and her husband seized the opportunity to start a roofing concern after witnessing unscrupulous fly-by-night contractors taking advantage of homeowners — including themselves.
The couple set out to change how homeowners were treated: In 2006, Caboverde and her husband started City Roofing to make a difference. Together, they built one of the most respected and highest-rated roofing companies in South Florida, gaining over 1,000 5-Star reviews.
Read more about Caboverde and City Roofing here.
Mishell Cox, CEO and owner
Cox Roofings, Zionsville, Ind.
At 16, Cox arrived in the United States alone to live “a normal life” and complete her education. However, without understanding English, she said she had to drop out of sMishell had to drop out of school to work and help support her siblings back home. She eventually earned her GED and graduated from Indiana State University.
After getting married, Cox and her husband had a vision to start the Cox Residential Construction Company. Nearly a decade after its founding, the company made its way onto the INC. 5000 list and was referenced as one of the fastest-growing companies.
Read more about Cox and Cox Roofings here.
Samanntha DeCoteau, owner
Summit Sisters Roofing, Welland, Ontario, Canada
A native of Northern Alberta, Canada, DeCoteau started in the roofing industry roughly 10 years ago and, in a decade, started two companies, one called J&S Prestige Roofing and a second known as The Summit Sisters. She is also referred to as the “Roofer Girl,” a social media influencer sharing her expertise and insight with nearly 290k followers on Facebook.
In 2022, DeCoteau gathered female roofers from across Canada to be part of a documentary (which later became The Summit Sisters) highlighting female roofers to inspire and encourage other women in the industry.
Read more about DeCoteau and Summit Sisters Roofing here.
Michelle Ly Hall, operations manager
Hall Roofing and Construction, Round Rock, Texas
Ly credits her success to patience, determination, and her family’s drive for a better life. The daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Michelle witnessed how her parents worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for her and her siblings.
Ly and her husband, Erik Hall, founded Hall Roofing and Construction. She used her proficiency in business, from field sales and operations to marketing and estimating to help the concern grow into a thriving business. She is also a community leader and is active in philanthropic endeavors, from supporting military families to the YMCA.
Read more about Ly Hall and Hall Roofing and Construction here.
Nina Zunt, owner
EHS Maryland LLC, Dundalk, Md.
Zunt is a leader, not just the “boss.” She says she is up on the roof, whether it’s freezing cold or sweltering hot, training her employees at every level. She cares deeply for her employees and goes out of her way to care for them both in and out of work.
During COVID, Zunt ensured her employees and their families were fed and paid despite business slowing down. She emphasizes breaking the “glass ceiling” for women in a male-dominated industry.
