Life with MCA

We asked six industry leaders about their experiences with MCA

“In the beginning [the biggest benefit] was networking, then it expanded in marketing and addressing technical issues.”

Dick Bus, president, ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa.

Bus served on the MCA board for 18 years, was vice president from 2000 to 2006, and president from 2007 to 2009. He was one of the founders and first president of the Metal Roofing Alliance, and was a founder of The Metal Initiative. MCA recognized Bus with the Larry A. Swaney Award in 2011.

Describe your first meeting or first notable experience with MCA.

I received a call from a competitor in 1985 inviting me to the January 1986 meeting at the Phoenician in Phoenix. It was mostly a social event, but that was ok as I was away from the winter weather. As years went on councils and committees were formed to address specific opportunities and/or challenges.

What has been MCA’s biggest benefit to you and/or your company?

In the beginning it was networking, then it expanded in marketing and addressing technical issues.

What do you think has been MCA’s biggest benefit to the metal component industry?

Marketing and technical/code issues.

What are some significant changes you’ve seen in MCA since you joined?

The growth in the metal component industry.

What is the future for MCA?

Challenged. The mergers of large companies are affecting membership, therefore challenging the remaining members with time and funding. Regional manufacturers need to participate, their knowledge and expertise is needed for additional growth of the industry.

“I think METALCON has been the most important contribution to our industry. Providing educational programs, training and introduction of new products and systems that support the construction industry.”

Dale Nelson, president, Roof Hugger LLC, Lutz, Fla.

In 1995, Nelson joined MCA and has served on several committees including codes and standards, finance, market development, membership, program, technical and governance. He has served as METALCON Liaison committee chairman and retrofit vice chairman. Ultimately, Nelson served as treasurer, and then chairman of MCA. The association recognized him with the Patrick R. Bush Service Award in 2014 and the Larry A. Swaney Award in 2022.

Describe your first meeting or first notable experience with MCA.

My business partner Red McConnohie and I attended our first MCA meeting in about 1995. Our new company was only four years old at this point. The MCA was recommended to us by Modern Trade Communications as a way to meet key people within our industry.

We were both welcomed warmly at our first meeting, and I decided to sit in on a foam panel discussion. They were debating about a marketing piece to promote the use of foam panels and the description of how they are made. I spoke up, having come from a general contracting background, and said “You know, I don’t care how you build them, I just want to know what they cost and what benefit they will bring to my customer.” “Great point,” they said, and they dropped the sticking point on how they were made and moved on to the many selling points they have. The group made me feel that I could contribute—even though it was only my first meeting and on a subject I knew very little about.

What has been MCA’s biggest benefit to you and/or your company?

There have been several benefits to us. The first was knowing in advance of any changes that were coming in the building codes that would affect our business. The next was having an opportunity to meet people in the same or related industries. We were able to ask questions that were helpful to us in making sure our product would be constructed within industry-accepted standards and deliver the maximum benefit to specifiers and customers alike.

What do you think has been MCA’s biggest benefit to the metal component industry?

I think METALCON has been the most important contribution to our industry. Providing educational programs, training and introduction of new products and systems that support the construction industry.

What are some significant changes you’ve seen in MCA since you joined?

The most significant change I have seen is in the board structure of the association. The MCA has made it a point to try to include each committee or council chair on the board of directors to make sure the board is aware of each group, what they are doing and what their needs are.

What is the future for MCA?

I am nearing retirement, but I have encouraged my organization and staff to continue to be involved in the MCA committees. Also, to continue to maintain the many connections we have made over the years by volunteering within these committees.

I am hopeful that the MCA will continue to reach out to educate designers, specifiers, contractors and the public about the importance of quality products in our industry. That they continue to explain the importance of minimum product and installation standards to ensure the best possible result for the specifier and owner.

I believe they will continue to make presentations to architects, engineers, municipalities, school boards and others, explaining the significant advantages of using metal in their project designs. Their future, I am certain, will be very busy.

“It has been many years since my first meeting, but I do recall being impressed that so many companies up and down the metal construction supply chain were members of the MCA. That broad breadth of membership experience and knowledge has always been a key component of the MCA.”

Ken Gieseke, senior vice president, McElroy Metal, Bossier City, La.

McElroy Metal was a founding member of MCA, and Gieseke has been an active member for decades, participating in numerous committees and tasks forces, including the Roofing Council, Wall Council and METALCON Liaison Committee. In addition, he has served on the board of directors for MRA since its inception in 1999.

Describe your first meeting or first notable experience with MCA.

It has been many years since my first meeting, but I do recall being impressed that so many companies up and down the metal construction supply chain were members of the MCA. That broad breadth of membership experience and knowledge has always been a key component of the MCA.

What has been MCA’s biggest benefit to you and/or your company?

I think the networking aspect of the MCA is so beneficial. Over the years, I have developed so many relationships with fellow MCA members. Interestingly, the relationships run the gambit from suppliers McElroy Metal purchases from to competitors, and even companies that I have no involvement with. Having the ability to make a phone call or send an email to most any trade in the metal construction industry supply change is pretty special and handy.

What do you think has been MCA’s biggest benefit to the metal component industry?

I think both marketing and technical initiatives have been beneficial to the industry. On the marketing side, having a unified voice about the benefits of metal construction in the marketplace is important. On the technical side, pooling financial and knowledge-based resources for testing is important for education and growth. Also, the library of MCA white papers is very extensive and utilized frequent by our sales team.

What are some significant changes you’ve seen in MCA since you joined?

While there are many members like myself and McElroy Metal that have been a part of the MCA for a lot of years, there always seems to be a new flow of new member companies and new representation from existing member companies. This inflow of knowledge and experience brings in new perspectives and ideas to help the MCA continue to grow and spread the positive word about metal in construction.

What is the future for MCA?

I don’t see any reason why the MCA won’t continue to improve with age.

“MCA helped develop contacts in all aspect of our business as well as gave us a market education that we would not have been able to get elsewhere.”

Jeff Irwin, program director, IMP Alliance, Metal Construction Association

Irwin was a board member of MCA for 23 years, and served as Membership Committee chair, METALCON Liaison Committee chair, treasurer-secretary for two years, vice chairman for four years, and chairman for four years. In 2015, he was recognized with the Patrick R. Bush award.

Describe your first meeting or first notable experience with MCA.

In 1992, two years after starting Benchmark Architectural Wall Panel Systems, I attended my first winter meeting and was introduced to key players in metal construction wall and roof manufacturing as well all the support and supply players. It opened a whole new networking opportunity for Benchmark.

What has been MCA’s biggest benefit to you and/or your company?

MCA helped develop contacts in all aspect of our business as well as gave us a market education that we would not have been able to get elsewhere.

What do you think has been MCA’s biggest benefit to the metal component industry?

Unity, leadership and market awareness in all metal in construction.

What are some significant changes you’ve seen in MCA since you joined?

Growth plus development of new talent in central roles such as board members and other leadership roles. Key development of education in industry technical and marketing initiatives. Cooperative alliances with other compatible industry associations. Development of additional member product alliances, such as, the IMP Alliance and MCM Alliance.

What is the future for MCA?

Future growth in initiatives and members to be the voice of our industry through awareness of marketing, sustainability and technical education functions.

“MCA has done a very nice job of representing us to code officials and recognizing when additional research has needed to be done. As a result, MCA has contributed significantly to the growth and recognition of metal in construction.”

Todd Miller, president, Isaiah Industries Inc., Piqua,Ohio

Since 1998, Miller has been actively involved in MCA. served on the board of directors from 1995-2015 and was MCA chairman in 2013-14. He has also been chair of the statistics committee and roofing council as well as METALCON liaison committee vice chair. In 2020, Miller was honored with the MCA’s Larry A. Swaney Award.

Describe your first meeting or first notable experience with MCA.

One of my earliest memories is of several of us talking about the possibility of developing an organization for the market development of residential metal roofing. That led to the Metal Roofing Alliance. The thing that really struck me was how giving and altruistic the members were. They truly understood the concept that a rising tide raises all ships. That seemed so fresh to me that competitors could see themselves working together for benefit of the industry as a whole rather than just slugging it out against each other for personal gains.

What has been MCA’s biggest benefit to you and/or your company?

MCA has always been a reliable source of technical information for us. It has always been there to explain building codes as well as technical research being done in our industry. It has helped our company understand things that impacted us and given us a voice at the table. These are things we never could have had on our own.

What do you think has been MCA’s biggest benefit to the metal component industry?

Building codes have had a tough time adapting to all things metal. Our industry brings groundbreaking practices and products to construction. MCA has done a very nice job of representing us to code officials and recognizing when additional research has needed to be done. As a result, MCA has contributed significantly to the growth and recognition of metal in construction.

What are some significant changes you’ve seen in MCA since you joined?

We understand the market potential better than we ever have before. I also think that, as an industry, we’re much better at telling our story to the world. Many of the myths that used to plague metal roofing, for example, are almost completely dispelled at this point. The internet age has really benefitted MCA and our industry, allowing us to work together to a greater degree between meetings. This has also helped us to tell our story better.

What is the future for MCA?

I hope that MCA can grow in membership along with our industry. I would also love to see MCA develop a stronger voice in Washington, D.C., and also to start to dream and scheme together about increased and better uses of metal in construction.

“The kinds of friendships I have made have lasted almost 40 years. I found mentors and experts in every subset field of my industry and learned more from them than anything else I could have done.”

Rob Haddock, founder/CEO, S-5!, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Haddock joined MCA in 1986 and founded S-5! In 1998. He is an honorary lifetime executive member and has been co-chair of several roofing and accessory committees and sub-committees. Haddock was very involved with the inception of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), the Roofing Counsel and The Metal Initiative (TMI). In 2015, Haddock was recognized with the Larry A. Swaney Award.

Describe your first meeting or first notable experience with MCA.

In 1985 in Port St. Lucie, Fla., I was at one of the first MCA meetings and had been asked by Larry Swaney, president of MCA, and J. Brad Craig, president of Reynolds Aluminum, the program chair, to give a presentation about metal as a re-roofing material. That subject was barely heard of at the time, but I had done some. I was only about 30 back then and amazed that this group would invite me to address them, so of course I accepted the invitation.

At the podium that afternoon, I preceded Tom Graham, the iconic CEO of U.S. Steel and the keynote speaker. Everyone was very cordial and friendly, and I was somewhat awed by being in the room with so many icons within my industry—and of course that made me a bit nervous. My presentation was well-received, and everyone complimented me.

I was in my hotel room with my wife, getting ready for the dinner banquet that evening when there was a knock on the door. When I opened it, there was a well-dressed young man who identified himself as Mr. Graham’s personal assistant. Extending his hand he said, “Mr. Haddock, I am here because Mr. Graham instructed me to extend to you his personal congratulations on a superb presentation.” I thanked him thinking to myself “well that was nice,” and he turned and started walking away but suddenly stopped short and faced me again. He said, “Mr. Haddock, I am just curious. How well you know Mr. Graham? Are you a friend of his?” I told him, “Not at all, I never met him until today.” He said, “Well, then there is something you should know: Mr. Graham isn’t the kind of person who ever delivers such compliments. In fact, I have worked as his personal assistant for almost four years, and I have never known him to do anything like this.”

That evening, I met Maury Petersen, Petersen Aluminum, for the first time. He came up to me at the cocktail reception with his hand outstretched and a big grin. He said, “Buddy, you hit it out of the park! Can I pay you to come up to my place in Chicago and give that same presentation to a bunch of my customers?”

The next day, I was looking around and not really knowing anyone when I bumped into Tem McElroy, McElroy Metal, at the nearby boat-rental dock. We exchanged a little small talk and he said, “Do you like water-skiing?” He rented a boat and we and our wives spent the afternoon boating, skiing and porpoise-watching off the coast.

Before I left the next day, J. Brad Craig said, “I wasn’t sure how this would go, but you made me a hero as the program chairman with your presentation. I talked to Larry and we are going to make you an Honorary Lifetime Member. You are welcome to come to any and all of our meetings completely cost free from now on!” He later mailed me a certificate and a book of famous quotes with a personal thank-you letter. I was just blown away.

What has been MCA’s biggest benefit to you and/or your company?

The kinds of friendships I have made have lasted almost 40 years. I found mentors and experts in every subset field of my industry and learned more from them than anything else I could have done. They have made me an expert in my field.

What do you think has been MCA’s biggest benefit to the metal component industry?

The acceptance of metal in construction and the growth in general of the metal roofing market, primarily with the creation of technical and industry consensus documents and standards.

What are some significant changes you’ve seen in MCA since you joined?

The addition of a technical staff was a quantum leap forward.

What is the future for MCA?

I think it is secure. Forty years ago, the perception of John Q Public was that metal construction was just for barns, shade and shelter. MCA and its members have been instrumental in shifting that perception. But we are not finished and there is still much work ahead of us. The group is only as strong and vibrant as its membership and their individual contributions.