Choice Roof Contractor Group has evolved since 2013, but its central purpose has remained consistent. We bring independent commercial roofing contractors together so they can learn from one another, build stronger businesses, and better serve building owners.
Our evolution over the years has included different programs, manufacturers, and industry relationships. Telling the story honestly means giving proper credit to the people and partners who built the foundation, preserving the group’s early achievements, and explaining why the network now reaches beyond any one manufacturer.
Our History at a Glance
| Period | Development | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2013 | Choice Roof Contractor Group was formed around a vision for independent contractors to grow through cooperation. | It created an organized network for shared knowledge, mentorship, marketing support, and project opportunities. |
| Early Years | During its earliest years, the network grew within a contractor community closely connected to Conklin training, roofing systems, events, and mentorship. | Newer contractors gained practical access to experienced applicators who could help them translate training into field performance. |
| 2013–2018 | Membership, workshops, commercial inquiries, educational articles, videos, and contractor relationships expanded. | The group demonstrated that independent companies could retain local ownership while benefiting from nationwide collaboration. |
| By 2019 | Top Roof Contractors provided a more advanced path for contractors meeting additional screening and qualification requirements. | The added level allowed the network to distinguish core membership from a more selective credibility standard. |
| Today | This group serves as the core contractor network, Top Roof Contractors as the advanced level, and 360 Commercial Roofing as the broader industry ecosystem. | The structure supports contractor relationships and wider industry collaboration without making membership an endorsement of one manufacturer. |
2013: A Vision Brought to Life
Choice Roof Contractor Group began in the fall of 2013 with Samuel Hostetler’s vision of bringing independent commercial roofing contractors together. Jonathan Keim helped shape that vision and bring it to life as an organized network.
Among the first contractors to participate were Brenneman Roofing, Mid-West Roofing Systems, Five Star Roofing Systems, A-1 Roofing Systems, and Troyer Roofing. Top Roof Marketing also supported the group during its early development by helping build the digital presence, marketing resources, and educational content needed to connect contractors across different markets.
Independent roofing companies often face many of the same challenges on the roof, in sales, and in running the business. This group gave experienced contractors a way to share what had worked for them, help others avoid costly mistakes, and offer guidance when difficult decisions came up, while each company remained independently owned and operated.
Training and Contractor Mentorship
The group’s early chapter was closely connected to Conklin. Many early members came together through Conklin product training, roofing systems, national events, distribution relationships, and contractor-to-contractor mentorship. Conklin provided an important common ground around which those early relationships could form.
Just as important was the practical help offered by experienced contractors. Mentors made themselves available to answer questions, review project conditions, share lessons from the field, and in some cases travel to assist newer applicators. That willingness to help another contractor succeed became part of the culture this group wanted to preserve.
Becoming manufacturer-neutral does not erase or diminish Conklin’s role in the early development of Choice Roof Contractor Group. The change reflects how the experience, project needs, and industry relationships of the network broadened over time.
The First Five Years: Building Momentum
During its first five years, Choice grew through contractor referrals, workshops, mentorship, online content, and an expanding commercial lead program. Members exchanged field experience and marketing ideas while the group produced educational material intended to help both contractors and building owners make better-informed decisions.
| First-Five-Year Achievement | Reported Total | Historical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Participating roofing companies | 72 | Demonstrated strong nationwide interest, particularly because joining required contractors to travel to Kansas City for training. |
| Commercial project inquiries | 1,646 | Showed the early importance of connecting building owners and managers with contractors. |
| Educational articles | 209 | Built a growing public library for contractors and building owners. |
| Videos produced | 68 | Expanded education and contractor visibility through visual content. |
Commercial inquiries were a meaningful part of the original value proposition, but they should be understood in their historical context. Today, general membership is centered more broadly on credibility, relationships, education, useful resources, and shared knowledge. Participation does not guarantee leads, revenue, or project awards.
Growing Beyond One Manufacturer
As members gained experience, they encountered a wider range of roof assemblies, specifications, climates, owner priorities, manufacturers, suppliers, and warranty requirements. The network’s role naturally expanded with them.
Today, Choice Roof Contractor Group is manufacturer-neutral. Membership is not an endorsement of one product line or roofing system. This position allows the group to maintain constructive relationships with Conklin while also welcoming other suppliers, educators, and service providers that can bring genuine value to the contractor community.
How the Network Is Organized Today
| Network | Role | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Choice Roof Contractor Group | Core membership network | Connecting independent commercial roofing contractors through shared values, education, relationships, resources, and peer support. |
| Top Roof Contractors | Advanced membership level | Recognizing contractors who complete additional screening and meet higher qualification and credibility requirements. |
| 360 Commercial Roofing | Broader industry ecosystem | Building productive relationships among contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, educators, software and equipment companies, associations, and service providers. |
These are connected parts of the same broader effort, but they serve different purposes. Choice remains the core contractor membership. Top Roof Contractors adds a more selective screening level. 360 Commercial Roofing expands the relationship-building ecosystem around contractors rather than replacing Choice.
What the Group’s Membership Represents Today
Current membership establishes a responsible baseline built around:
- Third-party training or certification
- Proof of insurance
- Professional business conduct
- Commitment to the group’s values
Members may also benefit from contractor relationships, group feedback, educational resources, trusted industry introductions, marketing insight, purchasing opportunities, and the ability to share appropriate project or subcontracting opportunities. Those benefits depend on participation, fit, geography, and the needs of the companies involved.
Moving Forward While Respecting Our Roots
The names, programs, and relationships around the network have continued to develop, but the original belief remains: independent contractors are stronger when they have access to trusted peers, practical education, useful resources, and productive industry relationships.
Choice Roof Contractor Group intends to keep honoring the original vision, the work invested to build the network, and the contributions of the members and partners who helped the group grow. Respecting that foundation also means allowing the network to mature as contractors and building owners face new needs.
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