Lisa Pate, FRSA Executive Director - September 2026
As FRSA’s fiscal year comes to a close on September 30, I’m pleased to report it has been another prosperous year for the Association – both financially and through successful programs throughout the year.
We operate with a small staff of five full-time employees and three consultants. In addition, we rely heavily on General Counsel, Trent Cotney, and Legislative Counsel, Chris Dawson, to round out the team. We’re also very fortunate to have an incredible group of volunteers who participate on our eleven committees and the Board of Directors. Their guidance, industry knowledge and support enable us to accomplish much each year.
With assistance from the Membership Committee, we launched “FRSA – With You After the Storm,” a short video FRSA members can include in emails, on their website and on social media platforms. It informs homeowners and potential customers about the importance of doing business with a Florida-licensed roofing professional. Members can download it from the “Member Login” section of our website and add their contact info at the end of the video.
By utilizing social media and posting information on the Consumer page of our website, we caution homeowners to do their homework and avoid fraudulent scams. We often receive calls from homeowners throughout the state looking for licensed contractors they can trust and many have visited our website and selected a member contractor in their area.
As a reminder to members, you can add information to your free member website listing and include the counties where you work, types of roofing you specialize in and up to three photos with your profile. Visit www.floridaroof.com, Find a Professional, to view your company information and contact Kelly (kelly@floridaroof.com) to update your profile.
We also revamped our social media with more engaging content and posts. What’s Wrong Wednesdays and Throwback Thursdays are always big hits. In an effort to encourage more participation, we’re following members and asking them to follow us. At the end of this article, we’ve added our social media handles.
In October, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) proposed another workers’ compensation rate decrease for the roofing industry. In response, we reached out to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to advocate for consistency in rate-setting, raising concerns that carriers writing workers’ comp for roofing contractors could exit the state or stop writing this line of business altogether – much as homeowners insurance carriers have done in recent years. Once again, ours was the only industry to testify at the hearing. Ultimately, the OIR approved a 6.9 percent overall rate decrease, along with an 11.04 percent decrease specific to the roofing classification code (5551).
Florida’s workers’ compensation framework is unique and deviating from its established rate structure remains a significant challenge. Because workers’ comp is a voluntary market for carriers, sustained rate depression tends to push insurers to “voluntarily” withdraw from the state, leaving roofing contractors with increasingly limited access to coverage through the standard market.
Rate reductions, then, present a double-edged sword for Florida contractors. On the surface, lower rates suggest lower insurance costs. But that benefit means little if no carrier remains willing to write the policy. This is the core question we continue to raise with both NCCI and the Florida OIR.
With the current limited workforce, developing and implementing training programs has never been more important. FRSA’s Worker Training Subcommittee finalized our worker training manual, Introduction to Roofing Technology, a comprehensive guide to the roofing industry. It includes basic information on roofing terminology, calculations, measurements, steep- and low-slope roofing systems, coatings, reroofing, repairs and maintenance. It’s the perfect manual for those just beginning a roofing career and can be purchased on our website.
The committee is working on a Spanish version and instructor presentations for both versions, which should be ready early next year.
FRSA’s Codes Subcommittee, a small group of code-savvy volunteer members, worked with Technical Director, Mike Silvers, CPRC to submit Florida Building Code (FBC) code modifications for the 2026 code. Among the many code modifications submitted and approved was a clarification on calculating R-value for tapered insulation, increased corrosion resistance of fasteners in saltwater exposures, adding flexibility in the codes’ replacement versus recovering options, extensive updates to the flashing and drip edge sections, improvements in hip and ridge installation methods for shingle and metal roofs, clarification of the lightning protection system to roof component interface requirements and removing some prescriptive options to align the HVH tile underlayment sections more closely with those used in the rest of the state. To better understand some of these changes, read Mike’s FRM articles at www.floridaroof.com/codearticles.
In March, a small group of members headed to the Capitol to meet with Representatives and Senators to discuss items of importance to the industry. Chris Dawson arranged nine meetings between attendees and members of Congress. These face-to-face meetings are very successful and give us the opportunity to share information and support Florida Building Commission approved roofing systems. They also provide the chance to discuss the pros and cons of various bills and how they may impact our industry, to offer alternative language and work with industry partners to resolve issues before bills are finalized.
Chris Dawson and team were able to support or defeat bills that impacted the industry, including:
■ protecting roofing licensure and continuing education
■ preventing insurance-driven forced reroofs
■ preventing discrimination among roof covering types in Florida Statutes
■ advocating for predictability in workers’ comp rates and curbing bad actors
■ advocating for workforce development initiatives and the promotion of trades to students
■ protecting business interests of the Florida roofer
Perhaps the most important industry bill was HB 803, which, among numerous other changes, provides an exemption for work on a single-family home with a construction cost of $7,500 or less. The bill clarifies that any electrical, plumbing, structural (including roofing), mechanical or gas work performed on the property containing a single-family dwelling requires a permit (local permit exemption thresholds for minor repairs would still apply). To help support and clarify this position, Chris worked with bill sponsors Representatives Alex Andrade and Toby Overdorf and Senator Nick DeCeglie to submit letters to the FBC supporting the inclusion of roofing as structural for this specific permitting issue only. We’ll see how the FBC responds.
Throughout the year, Mike Silvers works with Trent Cotney and team to monitor declaratory (DEC) statements that are submitted to CILB and the FBC for clarification and often include overzealous contractors who want to encroach on the scope of a roofing contractors license. Trent’s team files responses to DEC statements on our behalf and attends meetings as needed. We’re extremely fortunate to have them working with us.
In addition to monthly articles in FRM, Trent also provides contract provisions and language members can use in contracts and agreements – an invaluable resource. A full list of contract language options is available on the “Member Login” section of our website.
FRSA supports eleven chapter Affiliates throughout the state in major metropolitan locations. These Affiliates support their local roofing communities and focus on education, charity projects, interacting with local building departments, social events and meeting the needs of the industry in their areas. They are part of the FRSA family and offer contractors an opportunity to engage and interact with like-minded individuals working for the good of the industry. If you’re interested in participating in your local Affiliate, contact Kelly (kelly@floridaroof.com) for more information.
In 2015, then FRSA President Rob Springer, CPRC, launched the Young Professionals Council for members 39 years of age and younger. Although it was a great idea, the roofing industry was not yet ready to embrace the concept. Now, eleven years later, the YPs are one of the fastest growing FRSA committees. Their goals are simple: education, personal development and industry support. Each meeting is focused and extremely productive. They engage seasoned industry professionals for educational programs and guidance and produce social events that raise funds for the Charity of Choice.
FRSA’s Convention and Expo experienced another great year with over 4,800 registrations, standing-room-only seminars and a sold-out Expo floor with 250 exhibitors. (For 2027, we have an expanded Expo floor and have already sold the majority of floor space.) There were 27 seminars offered with and without continuing education credit and the best attended seminars included code-based and AI topics. Attendees continued to be extremely generous, raising over $12,000 for the 2026 Charity of Choice, PATCHES, a medical facility serving the needs of children with more than one chronic condition and lifelong functional impairments. Many thanks to those who contributed!
FRSA’s leadership understood the tough financial environment the industry is currently facing and decided to give back to the membership by offering free seminars during the Convention – a huge savings for members.
The primary purpose of the Foundation is to provide industry-specific seminars, conduct industry research and offer scholarships and this year we’ve delivered results. We’re currently working with industry partners to develop a more comprehensive asphalt shingle hip and ridge wind resistance test standard. Because the new Florida Building Code goes into effect on December 31, we’ve developed educational seminars highlighting the roofing-related changes that were presented at Convention and will continue to be presented in various locations around the state. This June, the Foundation proudly awarded $65,000 in scholarships. Foundation scholarships are open to FRSA members, their families and employees. Applications for the 2027 scholarship program will be available in October.
Last year, FRSA was instrumental in getting the legislature to allow roofing contractors to install roof-to-wall connections to structures with wood decking – something they were not previously authorized to evaluate or improve. Working with industry partners, Mike Silvers developed a two-hour seminar to address roofing-specific requirements (which are different from those required by residential, building and general contractors). The seminar has been taught at FRSA’s training center and during Convention.
FRSA’s in-house training center has gained popularity in the industry and is used by manufacturers, suppliers and service providers to offer training to contractors. Groups have utilized the indoor and outdoor spaces
for hands-on demonstrations and the conference room for company meetings. Rental fees include audio visual, staff support and catering options.
Over the years, we’ve successfully worked with industry partners to address issues as they arise. This year, we’ve had great success working with Miami-Dade County, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), the Home Builders Association and the Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF). These valued partnerships strengthen our legislative and building code efforts while helping us expand our reach in the construction industry. Over the next few months, we’ll be working with BOAF to present two seminars: one on the 2026 FBC roofing-related changes and the other on metal roofing. FRSA members are also able to attend these seminars at a discounted rate.
Last year, the FRSA Self Insurance Fund rebranded as BrightFund, positioning itself for profitable growth beyond roofing to serve additional trades, including electrical, HVAC, plumbing and masonry contractors. Under the leadership of CEO Mark Askins, a veteran insurance executive, BrightFund is partnering with insurance agents and modernizing its approach to serving their policyholders.
The newly redesigned website now features downloadable resources, safety articles and practical tips for contractors. BrightFund continues to offer the benefits members have come to rely on: dividends, in-house safety experts, dedicated claims support and strong advocacy for contractors – backed by the same experienced staff. For more information, contact Alexis (alexis@brightfund.com).
FRSA’s partnership with O Financial, a brand of Orlando Credit Union, offers members a home improvement loan program to assist your customers with reroofing or home improvement projects. This includes work on gutters, solar panels, air conditioning, painting or any other service that a member company offers to its customers. Loan amounts have been increased to $40,000 and rates are based on your customers’ credit score. If you have a customer interested in financing options, contact Adrienne (adriennep@orlandocreditunion.org).
Membership is our lifeblood and this year, we’re once again fortunate to boast 980 member companies. There’s strength in numbers and we’re proud to represent over 52,000 roofing professionals and their employees in Florida. If you’re not a member and would like to join, please contact Kelly at 800-767-3772 ext. 142 (kelly@floridaroof.com). There is an extensive list of member benefits available on our website.
Not all roofing contractors understand the advantages of being an FRSA member but we continue to represent all contractors as we work for the betterment of the industry. For over 104 years, we’ve led the industry in Florida, earning the respect and professionalism our members deserve. If you’d like to know more about FRSA, please visit www.floridaroof.com.