Rick Damato

In an economy that demands more and pays less, you need to keep an eye out for anything and everything that will make your business run more smoothly and save a buck. Roofing material and equipment manufacturers continue to roll out new offerings, and you need to pay attention to these, in spite of the economy.

Several months ago I applied to join the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. As part of the “2009 Mekong Build," the Carters will build homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International volunteers and families in five different countries.

Hang around roofing contractors long enough and eventually you will come to understand the value in education. Education never really goes out of fashion in the roofing business. Today’s roofing contractors are faced with a mountain of educational needs.

Around this time in 2008 I was thinking 2009 was going to be a real bust; a rebuilding year at best and a real bear at worst. Well, we saw some of that and for some it was way better and for others it was way tougher. Now, looking ahead at 2010, I have a sense that the overall market is in for a tough winter with hope for real recovery in the construction industry beginning later in the year.

What follows is the letter (sent via email) to my county Planning Board and Commissioners. Omitted the county name. Where I happen to work and live is unimportant … all municipal entities that set the rules of home construction will have to deal with this. As I said in the earlier blog, if there is a response I will share it with you.

Roofing Contractor’s fifth Best of Success conference is in the history books. I know how tired everyone is of the trite sayings, but I cannot help it. The Best just keeps getting better. And the reasons are pretty clear to me.

With the recent passing of Mr. Charlie Raymond, 87, of Florida, the roofing industry lost a titan. Out of the day-to-day business of being a roofing contractor for over 20 years, he never really “retired” from the roofing industry.

The phone call was followed by a fax with some details telling me that Charlie Raymond, 87, had passed away. I was unable to make it to his funeral, which was held in his home church in South Florida.

You will not often find this blogger linking to publications other than my own, but here is one for you: www.residentialarchitect.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=0&articleID=1006682. Reason I share this piece, published in late June, is to compare it to a posting on this blog this past October: www.roofingcontractor.com/Articles/Blog_Rick/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000592463.

Actually, to call the late Senator James Strom Thurmond of South Carolina an icon would be something of an understatement. At the time of his retirement from the United States Senate at the age of 100, he was the longest-serving senator in U.S. history. Before that he crashed his glider in the World War II Battle of Normandy on the way to earning 18 medals, decorations and awards.