All posts by Pall Administrator

Business News

Metal Building Overstock Launches to Disrupt the Steel Building Industry

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Metal Building Overstock

The steel building industry is booming—but not without serious issues. With demand for prefabricated metal structures surging across the U.S., the space has been flooded with scammy suppliers, lawsuits, and vanishing contractors. In fact, complaints to the BBB related to metal building fraud have increased dramatically over the past five years. In this chaotic environment, one company is rising to restore trust and transparency: Metal Building Overstock.

Built by a team of construction and design veterans, Metal Building Overstock is headquartered in Castle Rock, Colorado. The mission is simple: offer factory-direct metal building kits at unbeatable prices, with zero fluff and maximum integrity. Every dollar is accounted for. Every service is clear. And every customer gets direct access to real building experts.

According to Grand View Research, the U.S. metal construction market is projected to reach $57.5 billion by 2030. But as the demand for metal buildings grows, so do the scams. Many large “suppliers” are just middlemen tacking on layers of markup without offering any real support. Metal Building Overstock takes the opposite approach—lean operations, low overhead, and a core team that includes a licensed general contractor, structural engineer, architect, and seasoned project manager.

What that means for customers is simple: better buildings, better service, lower prices. Whether you’re in Wyoming, Kansas, Florida—or right here in Colorado—this team delivers pre-engineered steel kits straight from the factory floor to your job site. No gimmicks. No games.

From Kits to Completion

The product line includes everything from compact RV garages and workshops to multi-unit commercial buildings and barndominiums. Every structure is engineered to meet local codes and weather demands—whether that’s snow load in Colorado or wind speed in Texas. Buyers can also choose from a full line of accessories: walk doors, roll-up doors, storefronts, insulation, windows, vents, skylights, and custom trim.

Customers in Colorado get access to even more: full turnkey services including architectural design, stamped engineering, concrete foundations, erection crews, and complete interior finishing. That means you don’t just buy the building—you get the support to finish it with lighting, drywall, plumbing, cabinetry, and exterior stone work, all under one roof.

A New Standard for Steel Buildings

While competitors fight for clicks with heavy-handed ads, Metal Building Overstock focuses on building trust. Each quote is prepared by someone who understands buildings—not just sales scripts. Every order is backed by real professionals who have completed everything from churches and auto shops to municipal facilities and rural barns.

“The truth is, there’s no reason these buildings should be as expensive as they are,” says one of the co-founders. “We’ve worked for the big manufacturers and we know what things cost. We decided to cut out the noise and give people what they really need: transparency, options, and support.”

That’s how Metal Building Overstock plans to change the game. If you’re just looking for a fast, affordable kit—we’ve got you. If you’re building a 12,000 sq. ft. church—we’ve got that covered too.

Learn more, explore kit options, or request a project consultation by visiting MetalBuildingOverstock.com.

PALL Features

America’s Favorite Basement Finishing Company in Denver, CO: Why Homeowners Choose Dream Home Innovations

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Basement Finishing Denver

When it comes to creating more usable, beautiful space in your home, there’s one name Denver residents keep coming back to: Dream Home Innovations. We’re not some corporate chain with a cookie-cutter process. We’re a locally-rooted, family-first team building better basements with better materials — and our neighbors know the difference.

So what makes us America’s favorite basement finishing company, right here in Denver, CO?

Let’s break it down.

Built by Locals, for Locals

We live here. We raise our families here. And we know what it takes to build a basement that actually works for a Colorado lifestyle — from high-elevation insulation needs to moisture mitigation and code compliance across Denver’s many municipalities.

At Dream Home Innovations, we only hire local craftsmen, designers, and installers who bring pride and accountability to every project. This isn’t just a job to us — it’s our reputation on the line, one basement at a time.

When you call us, you’re talking to real people with real answers — not a call center halfway across the country.

We Cut Out the Middleman

Most basement companies rely on third-party suppliers, mark up the materials, and pass the bill to you. Not us.

Thanks to our direct partnerships and in-house sourcing, we bring materials straight from our own vetted suppliers. No markup games. No backorders. No excuses.

That means lower costs, tighter timelines, and consistent quality — because we control the process from start to finish.

You get more value, and we get to stand behind every screw, board, and finish with 100% confidence.

Designed to Fit You — Not Just the Floorplan

A finished basement should serve your needs, not limit them. Whether you’re building a guest suite for family, a gym to stay fit through the winter, or a home theater that actually feels like a theater, we tailor everything around your lifestyle.

And we mean everything — from lighting and layout to soundproofing, ceiling height solutions, and space-saving storage.

We don’t believe in “standard packages.” We believe in asking the right questions, listening, and designing smarter from the beginning.

Trusted by Homeowners. Backed by Experts.

It’s one thing to say you’re the best. It’s another to prove it.

That’s why we’re proud to be a verified contractor listed on the PALL (Professional Association of Licensed Local) website — an independent third-party resource that screens and approves only top-tier local companies.

It’s just another layer of accountability and professionalism we believe homeowners deserve.

You’re not just trusting someone with a project. You’re trusting them with your home. And we take that seriously.

The Smart Choice for Basement Finishing in Denver

Denver homes come in all shapes, sizes, and ages — from historic homes near Washington Park to new builds in Green Valley Ranch. And each one presents unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to finishing the basement.

Our team understands how to work with what’s there, improve what’s not, and deliver a finished space that adds real value — not just resale value, but livability value.

We’re proud to be a top-rated Basement Finisher in Denver, CO, known for both craftsmanship and communication.

We’ll never leave you in the dark, wondering where things stand. From estimate to final walk-through, we keep you in the loop and in control.

Why We’re Different (and Better)

Here’s what we offer that most companies don’t:

  • Local, licensed, and fully insured — with permits pulled properly, every time.
  • No sales gimmicks — just honest pricing and expert consultation.
  • Hand-selected materials that match your taste and budget.
  • Clear timelines, and the crew to actually meet them.
  • Customer-first design thinking — because your basement isn’t ours, it’s yours.

What Our Clients Say

We’ve completed over 600 finished basements in the Denver Metro area — and many of our new clients come by way of referral. That says something.

From full walkout basement apartments to cozy family rec rooms, we’ve turned cold, dark basements into some of the warmest, most welcoming spaces in the home.

Don’t take our word for it. Ask your neighbor. Chances are, we’ve finished a basement on your block.

Ready to Get Started?

Your unfinished basement is full of potential — and if you’re ready to finally tap into it, let’s talk.

At Dream Home Innovations, we build more than just basements. We build trust. We build value. And most of all, we build spaces that feel like home.

Let’s make your dream basement happen — on time, on budget, and on your terms.

Blog

Who is Mr. Castle Rock?

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In Castle Rock, Colorado, the unofficial-but-highly-coveted title of Mr. Castle Rock has long been a friendly rivalry between two community staples — John Manka and Sean Hakes. For years, the title bounced back and forth like a high-stakes ping-pong match. But recently, if you ask Google, Mr. Castle Rock has a clear winner: Sean Hakes.

And it’s not hard to see why.

Sean Hakes is the type of guy who doesn’t just show up — he builds the stage, runs the lights, and brings in the crowd. He’s the owner of multiple Castle Rock-based businesses, including Sympler, 72 Hour Web Design, and Dream Home Innovations, which is redefining luxury home remodeling in the Front Range.

Sean’s contributions to the community don’t stop at business. He’s one of the founding members of Dads of Castle Rock (DoCR), a group that’s raised tens of thousands of dollars for local families, schools, and causes thanks to Robert Zearing. Whether it’s donating a golf cart to the high school or stepping in to cover school lunch debts, Sean has become a name synonymous with action.

His expertise in SEO and digital marketing has helped dozens of local businesses grow. When it comes to visibility — online or off — Sean’s the guy who makes things happen. Ask any Castle Rock business owner who’s been struggling to rank on Google, and they’ll probably mention the phrase, “Have you talked to Sean Hakes?”

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

He hosts local business meetups, mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, and is known for rolling up his sleeves when the community needs him. Whether he’s building homes, building brands, or building bonds, Sean Hakes embodies what it means to be Mr. Castle Rock — a title that now shows up next to his name in Google search.

And yet…

In the spirit of friendly rivalry, we’ve got to end this the only way that feels right.

Who are we kidding?
John Manka is still considered “Mr. Castle Rock.”

Alerts

Adam Khan – Misrepresentation or Mistake? The PHMG Domain Dispute

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Adam Khan Chicago

By Sean Hakes
Owner, Wickedly Awesome EV, LLC
Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, and nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. This content reflects my personal opinion based on documented communication and publicly available information.

In April 2025, I began receiving unexpected and increasingly assertive emails from Adam Khan, who identified himself as the Senior Client Care Director at PHMG, a global audio branding firm. The communications claimed that my company, Wickedly Awesome EV, LLC, was somehow financially responsible for a contract originally signed by a now-defunct business — simply because the former business’s domain, FreedomGolfCarts.com, was redirected to our website.

Let me be clear: we did not acquire the business, its assets, contracts, or liabilities. We have no relationship with the prior company beyond a simple domain redirect — a common technical practice that does not imply business continuity or legal obligation.

Despite repeated clarification, Adam Khan continued sending messages with legal-sounding language and demands. He cited contract obligations, enforcement procedures, and responsibilities that do not exist — at least not in any legal connection to my company.

Out of concern for how these communications were being framed, I conducted a search via the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (IARDC) and found no listing indicating that Adam Khan is a licensed attorney. Yet, in my opinion, he appeared to be acting in a legal capacity — interpreting contracts, making legal claims, and threatening consequences — all without proper legal authority.

U.S. case law makes it abundantly clear that domain ownership or redirection alone does not assign liability:

Due to these concerns, I have submitted a formal Request for Investigation with the appropriate authorities regarding what I believe to be a case of unauthorized law practice.

This issue is bigger than a misdirected invoice. It’s about accountability and ensuring that individuals — especially those not licensed to practice law — don’t use legal-sounding threats to pressure uninvolved third parties.

This article reflects my personal experience and opinions. It is not legal advice.

Read about Adam Khan and PHMG at Wickedly Awesome.

Update – The Banter Continues

As of April 15, 2025, I received yet another email from Adam Khan, once again misrepresenting the relationship between Wickedly Awesome EV, LLC, Legacy Carts, and the former Freedom Golf Carts business. Despite previously confusing Legacy Carts (owned by Logan Hancock) with Legacy EV Group, PHMG’s narrative relies on inaccurate assumptions and circumstantial public references to suggest a contractual or legal connection that simply does not exist.

In this most recent message, Adam again threatened escalation and potential legal action—this time suggesting that damages could be pursued not only against the original signatory, but also against “connected parties,” including myself.

In an effort to formally elevate this concern and hopefully bring an end to the continued, unwanted communication, I have copied Jason Daye, Chief Operating Officer of PHMG, and Grant Reed, the company’s Founder and CEO, in my latest response. My hope is that with senior leadership now directly informed, PHMG will reconsider its approach and cease contact with my company regarding matters we have no legal or operational involvement in.

For now, the record stands. But I’ll continue to update this page as necessary.

Uncategorized

Sea Pro 259 DLX | Sea Pro | Review

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Sea Pro 259 DLX

The open sea usually whispers promises of freedom and tranquility, especially when setting sail with a boat like the Sea Pro 259 DLX. Yet, my journey since obtaining this model from Coastal Marine has been more akin to a tumultuous storm than a calm sea.

The Sea Pro 259 DLX, crafted by Sea Pro Manufacturing, is acclaimed for its comfort, dynamic performance, and top-notch fishing amenities. However, the reality, in my case, has fallen considerably short of these commendable claims. This discrepancy leads me to wonder if the production process was affected by the hurdles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the storm of technical malfunctions, the most troubling has been the defective bilge pump, causing an unnerving threat of the boat flooding on multiple occasions. While the pump repair was under warranty, the subsequent electrical issues were unwelcome, leaving me with unplanned expenses.

Adding to the turmoil, the Sea Pro 259 DLX exhibited intense cavitation issues, making its control a Herculean task and effectively sinking its resale potential. This problem has detracted from the joy of being at sea and resulted in considerable inconvenience.

In an unsettling incident highlighting the boat’s subpar build quality, the windshield dislodged during high-speed navigation, presenting a significant safety risk.

The Optimus Steering system, a feature expected to elevate the boating experience, has ironically proven to be a persistent annoyance. Faulty sensors have frequently paralyzed the motors and steering, necessitating the inconvenience and embarrassment of towing services.

The credibility of the Sea Pro 259 DLX was further tested when a planned Mother’s Day outing had to be canceled due to a defect in the Starboard motor. Such a failure is unexpected and disappointing for a boat with just 130 operational hours.

Despite the commendable efforts of Coastal Marine to rectify these persistent issues, the recurring problems have cast a shadow of doubt over the overall reliability of the 2021 Sea Pro 259 DLX.

The string of technical issues suggests a possible lapse in quality control during the boat’s production by Sea Pro Manufacturing, possibly due to the operational restrictions of the pandemic. This oversight has resulted in a significant setback for the end user.

The Sea Pro 259 DLX, a noteworthy investment, was expected to deliver a pleasurable experience. Instead, it has proven to be a source of constant frustration. The concerns go beyond minor irritations, raising serious questions about the safety and dependability of this model.

In conclusion, my voyage with the 2021 Sea Pro 259 DLX has been a turbulent journey marked by numerous technical issues and quality lapses. Unfortunately, these formidable challenges have eclipsed the promise of the Sea Pro brand. I would urge Sea Pro Manufacturing to address these concerns promptly to restore consumer confidence in their products.

Until then, potential buyers should consider treading carefully when eyeing the 2021 Sea Pro 259 DLX. It might be a rough sail that you’d rather avoid.

Political News

We need more ‘generational wins’ for freedom, parental rights

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“You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom,” John Adams once pleaded. “I hope you will make good use of it.”

Each generation has a duty and an obligation to set the next generation up for success, opportunity, and prosperity. This includes making sure that freedom and all it entails – including the rights to life and free speech – are not only preserved but strengthened for the next generation. In America’s legal system, this means taking action in the courts to accomplish exactly that.

The nonprofit legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom has a unique way of looking at this objective, one which offers insights for lovers of liberty who wish to leave the country better off when we leave it. They call these “generation wins,” defined as achieving “a significant victory changing the law and culture of the nation for a generation. Deliberate action is taken following that victory in order to ensure that it endures for generations to come.”

Consider the ongoing efforts to defend free speech, freedom of conscience, and religious liberty. The U.S. Constitution guarantees every American the right to speak freely, abide one’s conscience, and exercise his or her faith as he or she chooses, yet the ability to exercise these rights is increasingly under threat. We need generational wins to ensure these rights for future generations.

Government has inflicted a consistent attack on the ability for creative professionals like cake artists, graphic designers, and florists to conduct their businesses and create unique art in accordance with their deeply-held beliefs. Colorado has been ground zero in this regard.

Consider the legal battles of Lorie Smith, founder of 303 Creative, and Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop. Both have run afoul of Colorado’s “Anti-Discrimination Act.”

Under the law, Smith would be forced to use her unique talents as a web and graphic designer to create projects that she doesn’t believe in or which go against her core beliefs. This is a direct violation of her First Amendment right to artistic expression, so she’s sued Colorado in the case of 303 Creative v. Elenis.

Similarly, in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Phillips challenged the Colorado Civil Rights Commission for violating his rights to religious expression in a way that was overtly hostile toward religion. In a U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Court rebuked “the Commission’s double standard of punishing Jack, but not the three artists who refused messages against same-sex marriage.”

Legal cases along these lines should remind every business owner about just how important artistic expression really is – whether the lawsuit is focused on freedom of speech or freedom of religion. When you reflect on how important both rights were to the founding of the country, you can’t help but recognize how fundamental these cases are to ensuring genuine generational wins that defend religious freedom and secure freedom of speech.

Another area where we need generational wins comes to parental rights. As recently as 35 years ago, homeschooling was illegal in many states. Today, Americans broadly accept homeschooling as a legitimate way for parents to educate their own children – and it is now recognized in every state based to both legislative fixes and successful legal battles.

Even though these advancements have been made, the fight for parental rights continues. Recent cases in Vermont (A.H. v. French, E.W. v. French) and a U.S. Supreme Court case out of Maine concern parents’ rights to send their children to religious schools using state funds. Each lawsuit concerns the ability for parents to send their students to the private school of their choice using state funds when nearly half of the school districts don’t even have a public high school. Shouldn’t parents be able to affordably send their kids to a school best suited for their needs?

Parental rights are also in trouble within public schools. Consider B.F. v. Kettle Moraine School District in Wisconsin. Last year, parents sued the Kettle Moraine School District for a policy enabling minor students to change their names and gender pronouns without their parents’ consent. One 12-year-old’s parents objected, yet the school persisted over those objections. Consequently, the parents withdrew the child from school and joined in a lawsuit with another parent which seeks to mandate parental consent before making changes to a child’s name or pronouns at school.

Given that any changes to a child’s name and gender pronouns is a significant alteration of her identity, there is no world in which schools should deny parental consent. In each example above, victories for parental rights will be the mark of generational wins.

On issue after issue, our nation’s future depends on more generational wins like these.

Blog

Does freedom of speech apply to government employees?

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Freedom of speech is important to a free and flourishing society.  No one should fear expressing their viewpoints simply because they are out of favor with the media or their local government officials – especially when they are rooted in religious beliefs and freedom of conscience.  This idea goes back to the very drafting of the First Amendment in 1791, yet it is under attack today.

The late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo once noted, “Of that freedom [of thought and speech] one may say that it is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every other form of freedom.”  If people cannot freely think and express themselves and work out ideas in the public debate without fear of government reprisal, then other freedoms mean little, especially when they live in a society that is supposed to be self-governing.

Unfortunately, as a new orthodoxy of what people can and cannot say takes hold, more Americans are facing consequences for expressing themselves and their faith.  For example, what happens when a government employee expresses a viewpoint on his own time and dime that the local government disapproves of?

This is exactly what happened in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2014, after fire chief Kevin J. Cochran was suspended without pay for giving his employees free copies of Who told You That You Were Naked?, a book he wrote and published for members of his church.  Cochran was already a decorated fire chief who had been nationally recognized as “Fire Chief of the Year” by Fire Chief Magazine in 2012 and was even recruited back to his job from a position in the Obama administration.

In Cochran’s book, he expressed his biblical views on marriage and sex, which garnered a stern rebuke from the city because he didn’t pre-screen his book and get permission to publish it.  A few months into his suspension, the city of Atlanta fired Cochran from his position – specifically because they disagreed with the views he expressed in his self-published book.

Cochran sued to protect his First Amendment rights.  His attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom argued vehemently that Atlanta – nor any government – violated his constitutional rights.  As ADF’s senior counsel Kevin Theriot put it, “The government can’t force its employees to get its permission before they engage in free speech.  It also can’t fire them for exercising that First Amendment freedom, causing them to lose both their freedom and their livelihoods.”

Fortunately for Cochran, Alliance Defending Freedom’s argument was persuasive, and he won his court case in December 2017.  In its ruling, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia found that Atlanta’s policies – the ones that resulted in Cochran’s termination, such as its “pre-clearance” requirements – as unconstitutional.  This led the city council to vote on an approved $1.2 million in damages.

In its Cochran v. City of Atlanta decision, the court stated, “The potential for stifled speech far outweighs any unsupported assertion of harm.”  With this in mind, it is critical that we always stand for the right to freedom of speech; any restrictions on free expression must reach a very, very high bar.

As Benjamin Franklin said, “Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government: When this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins.”  Keeping America free depends on heeding old Ben’s words.

PALL Features

Kelly Kosky | Kelly Kosky Ministries

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Kelly Kosky
Meet Kelly Kosky of Kelly Kosky Ministries.

It takes a lot for someone to earn the description ‘remarkable’. 

The same could be said for the words ‘iconic’ or ‘prolific’. 

But, Kelly Koksy is a man who is deserving of all of these words, and more. In fact, there really aren’t any perfect words to describe the life of this religious warrior, consummate family man, and world-changing evangelist. 

The life story of Kelly Kosky is a tapestry of incredible adventures and even more incredible risks. It is replete with stories of trial, loss, victory, redemption, and struggle—even up to this very day. 

In this article, we’re going to explore the powerful, sobering story of Kelly Kosky, modern-day Renaissance Man and founder of Kelly Kosky Ministries. 

Early Life and Education

Kelly Kosky was born into a staunchly Jewish family in Canada in the early 1950’s. 

Being raised in an orthodox Jewish household throughout grade school, Kelly quickly learned to speak both Yiddish and Hebrew. However, when he was just 13 years old, Kelly Kosky made a decision that would change the course of his life forever. 

After Kelly’s Bar Mitzvah, he decided to go against the religious regimens and prescriptions in his life. He turned his back on Judaism entirely, and began a phase of active rebellion that would last well into his mid-teens. 

Even in the throes of this rebellion, Kelly Kosky managed to make excellent marks in school. He would go on to obtain multiple undergraduate degrees from San Diego State University only to then go even further in academia by doing his postgraduate studies at UCLA.

In the midst of his schooling—somehow, someway—Kelly managed to squeeze in a stint in the US Army as a member of the 160th Infantry Division. An honorable discharge from the service in June of 1970 eventually paved the way for Kelly Kosky to become a CPA and get married to his wife of 54 years, Kathy. 

Another Kind of Rebellion

By the time Kelly Kosky had reached his early thirties, he had established a family, built a multimillion-dollar CPA firm, and found himself living an opulent, luxurious life in the Rocky Mountain region of Montana in the United States. 

But, something was missing. 

Kelly knew that there was something much grander and more important that he was meant to do, as if serving his country, starting a family, and becoming exceptionally well-educated wasn’t enough. 

At the apex of his professional career as a CPA, Kelly Kosky began to cultivate an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Through this relationship, Kelly began to form a vision of improving the world in a radical, unprecedented way. While Kelly Kosky and his family were, by any estimation, living the “American Dream”, Kelly knew that there was something truly epic on the horizon. 

Then, on April 1st, 1988, Kelly Kosky moved his entire family from their comfortable, well-appointed home in Montana to the Republic of Transkei, Africa. 

It is here where Kelly Kosky would establish more than 1,400 Christian churches, the first-ever black-governed bible college, and Southern Cross Ministries, an organization dedicated to addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic that had been ravaging the African continent for decades. 

Search Kelly Kosky on the Web:

Colorado, PALL Features

Marty Erzinger | Martin Erzinger – Denver, CO

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Marty Erzinger
Marty Erzinger of Denver, Colorado (Martin Erzinger)

Martin Erzinger (Marty Erzinger) is located in Denver, Colorado. In 1976, Marty Erzinger was the Linebacker for the CU Buffalos. Weighing in at 201 and 6′ he was one of the key members that led the CU Buffalos to the Super Bowl.

Martin Erzinger of Denver, Colorado (Marty Erzinger) is the Founder and Senior Investment Advisor for Sanctuary Wealth Advisors LLC.

Source: Investor.com

Martin Erzinger, based in Denver, CO, is an Investment Advisor and a Broker (Dually Registered) with 39 years of experience. Martin is employed by Sanctuary Advisors and  Geneos Wealth Management, which provides investment advisory services for 27 clients.

Marty’s son, Martin Erzinger is a renowned pianist.

Uncategorized

GAF’s Roofing Academy Encouraging New Wave of Entrepreneurs

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Written by: Denver Roofing – Stuart B. Stoneberg

14 vocational students fill a room in Parsippany, New Jersey. Today’s challenge? Turn a TPO roofing membrane into a piece of art. A few hours later the room is filled with unique creations from a ninja cape and crown to a purse filled with TPO ‘flowers.’ 

What are these students doing and what does making TPO sculptures have to do with vocational training? The 14 students are participants in roofing product manufacturer GAF’s Roofing Academy. The goal of the program is to give the students skills and knowledge to make it big in the roofing world. 

While it seems the TPO projects were in good fun, they were a lesson in learning to manipulate and properly utilize the membrane roofing material. “We have to do a lot of welding where we’re in tight places and bending material in weird ways,” says program director Brian Cornelius. “So we give them total creative freedom to do an art project, and they make something out of the TPO material. It’s fun for them, but it also has some real meaning because right after that, we transition into welding some of these more difficult details.”

This is GAF’s second run of the Roofing Academy in Parsippany after other pilot programs across the country. The two-week program is held at GAF’s 400,000 sq. foot headquarters at GAF’s Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence (CARE.) The program calls on 16 to 24-year olds who aren’t in school or employed to come in and learn a valuable skill for their future. The latest program participants come from the Job Corps Center, but GAF is also focused on helping others who might have trouble getting jobs like former felons or military veterans. 

The program is also encouraging the next wave of skilled roofing professionals in a shrinking workforce. “One of the greatest challenges facing the roofing industry today is a shortage of skilled labor,” says David Millstone of Standard Industries. “We saw the Roofing Academy as a way to address that by training new workers and connecting them with contractors.”

The program spends one week on steep-slope roofing and one week on low-slope roofing including solar installation. The idea behind the Academy is for students to leave the program and secure employment immediately. GAF stands behind the program and their willingness to give people a chance at a better life. “My dream is five years from now, I’d love to see a handful of these students owning their own company and making millions,” Cornelius says. “I can promise you that’s going to happen.”