Presidential Dependability
Discussing Growth with Kris Hitesman, the New WSRCA President
by Marcus Dodson, Publisher
The Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) is ready to welcome Kris Hitesman as its 49th President. Hitesman is a third generation roofing contractor with an expansive family line of past roofing professionals. She began helping out her father with his roofing company when she was in elementary school, and she quickly gained a fondness for the technical and administrative side of roofing that has stuck with her through adulthood. Roofing has remained a major part of her life, as it was also how she met her husband, Paul Hitesman.
“My grandpa started and ran Zimmerman Roof Co. in Southern California, where my dad learned to roof,” Hitesman said. “My father moved to Utah to start Capitol Roofing Service in 1977, and I can remember taking a picnic lunch to the job site when I was little and eating lunch with him. He would occasionally let us climb the ladder and look at the roof he was working on, it was all so interesting to me.”
Hitesman is the current President of Capitol Roofing and co-owns it alongside her husband. Capitol Roofing focuses primarily on installing new commercial roofs, doing a mix of private and government work. With their main office located in the Salt Lake Valley area of Utah, Capitol Roofing will take jobs in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Colorado as well. While doing roofing projects, Hitesman’s company tends to favor TPO and PCV membranes, and they also own their own metal shop and will fabricate all of the metal that they install on roofs.
“I want to grow and invest in my business,” Hitesman said, “and I want to improve our leadership development, training, and operational performance so that we can be more productive and purposeful in our operations.” When she is not focused on expanding her business, Hitesman enjoys dabbling in crafting as well as spending the day on her family boat with her husband and three daughters, away from her phone and computer. We managed to catch her on one of her breaks and asked her some questions about her future plans with the WSRCA.
Western Roofing (WR): What makes the WSRCA unique?
Hitesman: I think that WSRCA is like a family. Once becoming involved in this association, I immediately noticed that my fellow roofing contractors are willing to share ways they have been able to solve certain problems that they have encountered. By sharing information and the best roofing practices, the WSRCA encourages peers to be part of a community of professionals who wish to raise the bar in the industry. The association is comprised of roofing professionals who want to support one another, learn, and grow.
WR: Does the WSRCA have any new resources for its members?
Hitesman: WSRCA has recently launched the Spanish version of the safety app, which helps Spanish-speaking employees in the field.
WR: What can the WSRCA do to help the roofing contractor improve their business?
Hitesman: WSRCA has so many ways to help the contractor. WSRCA has great technical, legal, and safety advisors that help the association pass along valuable information to its members. The safety app is a tool that helps with toolbox talks, tracking trainings, and other safety forms that are needed. Members have access to those advisors, as well as other business-related advisors, when needing trusted resources to address the many challenges roofing contractors face.
WR: Is your company experiencing a labor shortage or lack of properly trained personnel?
Hitesman: Like all companies, my company is experiencing a shortage of trained personnel. WSRCA offers many resources to help train personnel, which is not just great for me, but is helpful for all WSRCA members.
WR: How is the current rising construction climate affecting the Western roofing contractor? Do you see an increase or decrease in the number of contractors in the West?
Hitesman: Over the last few years I have noticed a lot of new companies emerging. Also, many roofing contractors are getting letters from private equity firms about acquisitions, which can be very confusing for any business. There will be a class discussing acquisitions and what you need to know if you are interested in selling your business at the WRE this September.
WR: How is the current economy affecting the WSRCA?
Hitesman: With this being an election year, I think that most contractors are seeing a slow down in projects being awarded with the uncertainty of interest rates and what the future holds.
WR: What is the toughest problem the WSRCA faces as an association?
Hitesman: The toughest problem I believe is keeping current on the many challenges contractors face and making sure that we are known as a resource to help overcome those challenges. We have so many resources to help contractors with operating their business day-to-day, and as technology evolves and legislation changes, there are new areas of concerns that emerge.
WR: What are some problems facing the Western roofing contractor today?
Hitesman: I think that the Western roofing contractors are facing many labor-related challenges, whether it’s recruitment, retention, training, safety, or having needed resources available in Spanish.
WR: What are some unique problems you have encountered?
Hitesman: Being a woman in the roofing industry and not being taken seriously is often a problem I encounter. I have found that I have to prove that I am knowledgeable before I am taken seriously, I have repeatedly had to tell customers that I am the business owner in order for them to stop and take what I am communicating as fact. I also find myself having to reign in my compassionate side so that I can be more effective as a roofing contractor/employer.
WR: How is the WSRCA helping Western roofing contractors handle government regulations and OSHA enforcements?
Hitesman: Our legal advisor, Trent Cotney is great at supplying WSRCA’s members articles on upcoming changing government and OSHA Requirements. During our board meetings, Cotney will pass along this information to the board, and then he will write an article helping contractors get more information on the upcoming changes.
WR: What does the WSRCA have to offer the roofing industry and roofing contractors?
Hitesman: The Safety App in my opinion is one of the best offerings for the small contractor who is not able to hire someone to help with the safety regulations. The annual association membership fee is well below the price that you would pay to a third party to administer your safety program for you, and WSRCA offers it to all members. The legal and technical bulletins are also priceless, providing members with the info that they need to help with business operations in the West.
WR: Does the WSRCA have any special projects, programs, or studies going at the present time (TPO, asphalt shingles, modifieds, tile, synthetics, iso, waterproofing, coatings, safety, etc.)?
Hitesman: Currently we are working on some TPO studies that will be out in approximately one year. We can’t really share too much as the testing is currently underway.
WR: How will these projects or studies help the Western roofing industry turn out a better product and members improve their business?
Hitesman: WSRCA has been known to improve the roofing industry by testing or studying items that it’s members are struggling with, and the studies we currently have in motion should follow that trend to help educate and make the industry better.
WR: What do you see ahead in terms of long-term growth potential for the WSRCA?
Hitesman: There is a lot of long-term growth potential in the WSRCA. We just need to continue to spread the word of the many benefits that contractors receive by being members.
WR: What does the WSRCA offer that other local, regional, and national associations can’t?
Hitesman: WSRCA offers its members great technical, legal, and safety help for a low yearly membership price compared to other associations. In addition, the network of information that members have access to is rich with people who are committed to helping members grow their businesses.
WR: Why did you join the WSRCA? How long have you been a member?
Hitesman: My dad had always been a member of WSRCA for as long as I can remember. I have the distinct memory of being young and using the toolbox talks for many years. I have been a member of the WSRCA board since 2016, and being a member of the board has been a great experience, as we get to rub shoulders with great contractors in the West. I have learned so much and I have been able to provide support to other contractors in the region.
WR: As the new president, what are your immediate goals?
Hitesman: As the new president, my immediate goal is to re-engage the board and members with our purpose as an association of professional roofing contractors. WSRCA has a commitment to elevating the roofing industry by providing valuable resources to roofing contractors in the West.
WR: What are your long-term goals?
Hitesman: My long-term goals are to remain active in the association, utilizing the many offerings that WSRCA provides, and translating many of our valuable documents into Spanish so that our Spanish speaking contractors can take full advantage of the information the WSRCA provides.
WR: How is the Western Roofing Expo shaping up for September?
Hitesman: This year is the 50th anniversary of WRE so it is going to be an amazing year to attend the show. Our theme this year is 50 years of leadership. We will be recognizing all former presidents and the legacy that they helped WSRCA grow to where it is today.
WR: Can you give any details about this year’s Davis Memorial Scholarship?
Hitesman: Another amazing benefit of being a member of WSRCA is the ability for members and their families to apply for a Davis Memorial Scholarship for continuing higher education. Each year the winning students are awarded $5,000 scholarships that can be used for trade school and college tuition and expenses. This year, there will be ten scholarships awarded to deserving members of the WSRCA roofing community at the Welcome Reception sponsored by GAF.
WR: A year from now, what do you want people to say about your term in office?
Hitesman: I want to be a strong president and that people will say that I was able to better the organization by helping the board members be more purposeful and effective in the resources that are being offered. It is also a big personal goal of mine to help Spanish-speaking individuals have an easier time in accessing our information.
