50 Years & Counting
WSRCA Celebrates its 50th Year
by Marc Dodson, Editor
Half a century. Five decades. While 50 years may seem a long time, it’s really just the beginning for The Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA).
The WSRCA was formed in 1974 when 8-track tapes meant high-fidelity sound, a McDonalds hamburger cost just 19¢, and the oil embargo was forcing Americans to line up their cars at the pumps for rationed gas. It was formed when a cluster of Western roofing contractors got together to talk about the unique job challenges they faced in the West, and what they could collectively do about it to make the industry better for everyone.
A few more meetings and they were off and running. As Johnny Zamrzla recalled, the first President of the association was determined by a game of chance. He and Wayne Mullis literally flipped a coin. The result, Mullis was the first President, and Zamrzla was the second. A long line of professional and well-qualified WSRCA Presidents have followed.
The first WSRCA Executive Director was John Banister, who at the time also shared his time, title, and office with the Associated Roofing Contractors Bay Area Roofing Counties. The next WSRCA Executive Director was Meg Jacobsen, followed by myself, Arlene Lawson, Tom Papas, and now Joel Viera with his very talented and dedicated staff.
I attended my first WSRCA convention in 1984, for their tenth anniversary in San Diego, California. It was quite an experience, and I was impressed by the attitude and camaraderie of the people, contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers alike. I hadn’t experienced this in any other industry. It amazed me that even though these people were competitors, they could talk openly and help each other solve problems and concerns. This is the same attitude that prevails today, and even though the people have changed, the outlook and friendliness of the people in this industry has remained the same.
The 50th Annual WSRCA Western Roofing Expo will be held September 29 through October 1, 2024 at the Paris Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas Nevada. At every convention since its inception, the WSRCA has provided a plethora of seminars aimed at helping and educating the attendees. This special anniversary convention will be no exception. The exhibit floor is once again sold out with manufacturers and suppliers that will offer their latest in goods and services, as well as live demonstrations. Seminars for this event will include everything from the “History of Roofing,” to “Proactively Addressing Moisture in Roofing and Waterproofing Assemblies,” and even to “OSHA Compliance Regulations.”
Additionally, the Bob Porter Golf Tournament, the Sporting Clays Tournament, and the Annual Welcome Event and Auction will be held the first day. These events are designed to help raise funds for the ongoing Davis Memorial Foundation Scholarship Program. Since 1997, The Davis Memorial Foundation has raised over $750,000, awarding more than 170 scholarships to deserving college-bound children of roofing industry families.
This year, WSRCA President Mike Wakerling, General Roofing Company, Oakland, California, will man the helm at the associations historic 50th annual convention. During the member meeting on the last day of the convention, current WSRCA Senior Vice President Kris Hitesman, Capitol Roofing Services, Sandy, Utah, will be handed the gavel and be sworn in as Wakerling’s successor. Hitesman will then begin her term as the next President of the WSRCA as the association heads into its 51st year.
The WSRCA has come a long way since 1974. Under the leadership of Executive Director, Joel Viera, the association has grown and evolved to become a strong and formidable voice for the Western roofing contractor. The WSRCA is obviously not finished yet, as it will continue to evolve, improve, and benefit the Western roofing industry for years to come.
