The Roofing Alliance Announces Finalists for its 10th Anniversary Construction Management Student Competition

Five schools will compete at the 2024 International Roofing Expo® on Feb. 7, 2024.

The Roofing Alliance proudly announces the top five teams who earned the coveted invitation to the International Roofing Expo where they will present their proposals before a panel of esteemed judges during its 10th Anniversary Construction Management Student Competition. Finalist teams will compete in the final leg of the competition — the oral presentations — on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Room N110. 

The schools participating in this hallmark event are: 

• Auburn University, Auburn, AL - Mary Madalyn Massengale (team captain), Jack Armstrong, Braxton Bauer (team alternate), Kyle Shaull, Arjun Varadhan; Faculty advisor is Dr. Kenneth Sands; Team mentor is Paige Harvill, Nations Roof, Mobile, Ala. 
• Bradley University, Peoria, Ill. - Adam Wascher (team captain), Attilio Levato, Tyler s. Pilon, Tadgh S. Spillane, Uriel De La Torre (team alternate); Faculty advisor is Dr. Souhail Elhouar; Team mentor is Doug Duncan, Nations Roof, Villa Park, Ill. 
• Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. – William Macguire (team captain), Caleb Borton, Ryan Schmick, Carson Stevens, Dennis Sispera (team alternate); Faculty advisor is Professor Nick Rubino; Team mentor is Kent Nelson, Front Range Roofing Systems LLC, Greeley, Colo. 
• Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas – John Falavolito (team captain), Julian Hood, Hogan Leftwich, Yahir Santiago, Kolten Heine (team alternate); Faculty advisor is Professor Chris Presley; Team mentor is Kyle Cahill, King of Texas Roofing Company LP, Grand Prairie, Texas.  
• University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. - Nick Hanson (team captain), Rachel Deal, Grayson Johnston, Davis Lunger, Will Eison (team alternate); Faculty advisor is Dr. Jim Sullivan; Team mentor is Caleb Stauss, Big D Roofing Services, Ocala, Fla.  

The competition is designed to test students’ roofing knowledge, project management capabilities and presentation skills. This year’s project is the prestigious Formula 1 Paddock Building in Las Vegas originally roofed by Commercial Roofers of Las Vegas. Teams researched the chosen project, submitted a qualified bid package proposal, and will provide an oral presentation to illustrate their roofing, project management, estimating and safety knowledge. 

The top three winning teams will be recognized on stage at the NRCA Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception on Feb. 7, from 5-7 p.m. 

To register for the student competition, visit the International Roofing Expo® website.  For more information about the student competition and all Roofing Alliance initiatives, contact Alison L. LaValley, CAE, executive director, at alavalley@nrca.net or visit roofingalliance.net.  

About the Roofing Alliance  

The Roofing Alliance is committed to shaping the industry’s future by funding education, research, scholarships and philanthropic initiatives—all for the purpose of securing the industry’s future excellence.  Composed of 194 members representing extraordinary leaders from the contracting, manufacturing, distribution and service provider communities, the Roofing Alliance has committed $15 million to enhance the performance and long-term viability of the industry and allocated more than $6 million to fund 54 research, education, technical and philanthropic programs and projects.  Serving as the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Roofing Alliance members are focused on giving back and supporting high-quality educational programs and ensuring timely and forward-thinking industry responses to major economic and technological issues.  For more information about Roofing Alliance initiatives, visit roofingalliance.net.