[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The WBC Craftsmanship Committee, originally headed by Arthur B. Heaton, organized the first Craftsmanship Awards in 1950; the committee then reorganized the program in 1956 to the same format, which continues today. In 1992, the Craftsmanship Awards Program Chairman Darrel Rippeteau, of Rippeteau Architects, created the Star Awards. These awards are given to craftsmen who exhibit the key characteristics of all the Craftsmanship Award winners and focus on “the essence of craftsmanship” in the following categories: Visual Excellence, Technical Excellence, and Excellence in the Face of Adversity.

As the awards have grown in prestige and the caliber of construction in the Washington, DC area has escalated, the celebration of craftsmanship has expanded. As a result, this awards program has furthered the growth and development of superior craftsmanship in the Washington area.

Architectural Metals was awarded a Craftsmanship Award in the Metals category for their work on the National Museum of the United States Army.

“I am very proud of our project management and installation teams for excellent execution of a very challenging and demanding project, said Brian McClelland, President of Architectural Metals, a Tecta America Company.

https://www.wbcnet.org/craftsmanship-awards/current-and-past-winners/2020-craftsmanship-winners/

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Flights into and out of the airport on Milwaukee’s northwest side are guided by air traffic controllers who work in a 5-story control tower that was built in 1959. That building remains highly functional, but its roof system was failing – exposing the structure to water-related problems. F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing was retained to replace the roof and help give the tower many more years of service.

The control tower project had a unique set of challenges, due to the airport setting. FJAC crews had to pass background checks and deal with on-site security measures, but county officials facilitated the process, noted Sean Kocherer, FJAC Project Manager for the work.

“Despite the restricted setting, accessibility was great, thanks to the fantastic job the county did to get us onsite,” Kocherer said.

Another challenge – one unique to the setting, was control of debris, Kocherer said. FJAC crews had to ensure that debris from the removal of the existing roof and any bits of insulation was completely contained to eliminate the risk of wind-blown debris affecting aircraft engines. That process included the assignment of an FJAC crewman to monitor the runway.

“There could be absolutely no debris on the runway,” Kocherer said. “Even the smallest piece of insulation could pose a problem, so we had to make sure the runway was clear of any debris.”

Another challenge was the myriad of antennas atop the tower, noted Steve Stuckey, FJAC Estimator for the project. As work progressed on the new roof, antennas had to be removed and quickly relocated to continue to support communications.

FJAC crews also had to work around access issues that restricted scaffolding and crane use.

Sheet metal work was done from a man-lift.

“Our crews had to work in a very confined area,” Kocherer said. “Fall protection was extremely challenging.”

The 4,000-square-foot roof had a modified system that had been applied over a previous built-up roof. Both were removed down to the deck and replaced with a modified bitumen roofing system with tapered insulation to support good drainage.

The work also involved decorative side panels which were raised six inches and other metalwork. FJAC’s Sheet Metal Department crafted aluminum siding panels with an insulation backing that created an attractive, smooth surface.

Airport personnel took the opportunity to replace cabling and wiring on the roof during the two-month project.

“The new roofing system will provide many years of protection from the elements, allowing continued flight traffic at this light aircraft alternative,” Stuckey said.

The airport contract also included reroofing of a Quonset hut used as an airplane hangar.

“It’s not the usual type of roofing project,” Kocherer said. The hangar had asphalt shingles on its steep areas and rolled roofing at the top. All was removed and replaced with a self-adhering single-ply membrane.

Mark Hamm served as Roofing Superintendent for the project while Jeff Keller was the Sheet Metal Superintendent.  Field Roofing Crew Manager Oscar Torres led the onsite roof replacement while Sheet Metal Foreman Paul Keller handled the metal panel and related sheet metal installations.

Airplane manufacturer Curtiss-Wright created Timmerman Field in 1929 as part of a program to develop airports throughout the country. Timmerman’s airport code of MWC is a reference to Curtiss-Wright. Milwaukee County became the owner of the 131-acre property in 1947. It now encompasses 420 acres. The airport was renamed Lawrence J. Timmerman Field in 1959, honoring Timmerman who had been a long-time chairman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. It hosted some of the earliest fly-ins of the Experimental Aircraft Association from 1953-58.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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F.J.A. Christiansen employees contributed to a brighter holiday season for children at the Ronald McDonald House on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Complex grounds.

In an effort coordinated by our administrative aide, Sonia Robinson, employees donated new toys which were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House just before Christmas.

“We have an ongoing relationship with Ronald McDonald House, and have traditionally done an annual volunteer event,” Sonia noted. “It’s such a special place that I suggested we do more, and that developed into the toy drive.”

The Ronald McDonald House provides a long-term living for families of children at Children’s Wisconsin (formerly known as Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin).

FJAC’s relationship with the local Ronald McDonald House is part of the Roofing Alliance’s partnership with the national Ronald McDonald House Charities organization. Alliance members, such as FJAC and other Tecta America companies, donate roof system inspection and maintenance including 24-hour emergency leak response at the facilities.

“I was pleased to see so many toys donated,” said Sonia. “Those children and their families are going through a lot; it’s wonderful that many of our families could help their families and show our support.”

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The roofing contractor, with a strong presence in central and northern Wisconsin, was acquired by Tecta America this past fall and will work closely with FJAC to provide Tecta’s broad range of commercial roofing services in the state.

“We’re looking forward to strengthening our business through the knowledge and resources of Tecta America,” said Shawn Herzog, who continues as president of Commercial Roofing. “That includes the ability to serve customers who desire business partners that have a nationwide reach, which Tecta America has.”

It also includes the ability to provide better benefits to employees and to enhance safety and human resources processes, noted Theresa Dobbe, Commercial Roofing’s vice president.

“The people at F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing and at Tecta America have been great to work with during the transition, and we’re looking forward to continued close cooperation that will benefit our customers and our employees,” Theresa added.

Founded in 1976, Commercial Roofing handles both re-roofing and new roofing projects.  The company will operate as Commercial Roofing, a Tecta America Company.

“We’re extremely pleased to have them on board, not only for their great capabilities but, truly, for the wonderful team Shawn and Theresa have assembled,” added FJAC President Rob McNamara.

Tecta America, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, has more than 70 locations throughout the U.S., and grew during 2019 with the addition of further operations in New Jersey and Portland, Oregon.

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That work followed the installation of the two restored east domes, as reported on in the last two issues of The Roofers Report.

While similar to the east tower domes, the west dome is smaller, but its ornamentation is more intricate, including curved copper arches. FJAC collaborated with ornamental sheet metal fabricator Heather + Little, Ltd., on the copper elements for all three towers.

Like the east domes, the existing weather-worn cladding of the west tower dome was removed and structural repairs were made before being re-clad in copper. But unlike the east domes, all the work on the west dome had to be done atop the tower, accessed via scaffolding. That presented some challenges in fitting the fabricated pieces that, in some cases, needed adjustments. The east tower domes had been removed and restored at FJAC’s shop.

Once the dome re-cladding was complete, a new copper cross was crane-lifted to be secured atop the dome, complementing the new crosses on the east domes.

The church bell remained operational during the work, so FJAC crews had to be mindful of moving parts as the bell was peeled.

The congregation was aiming to have all the work done prior to Christmas services – a deadline that FJAC met.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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In 1993, Gaulin was elected to NRCA’s board of directors and served three terms, including two terms as vice president from 1998-2000 and 2003-05. He served as NRCA senior vice president from 2005-06 and NRCA president from 2006-07. He also served on various NRCA committees, including chairing the Architectural Sheet Metal, Internet/Electronics Communications, and NRCA Retirement committees. In addition, he served as president of the Associated Roofing Contractors of Maryland in the early 1990s.

Gaulin began his roofing career in 1978 as a laborer with Barra Inc., a German manufacturer of single-ply roofing materials, then became a minority partner with SCF Decks in Nazareth, Pa. In 1987, he decided to start his own business, MAGCO, in Jessup. In 1993, he founded Metal-Fab Manufacturing, a producer of architectural metal roofing and accessories.

In 2000, Gaulin was a key leader in the consolidation and formation of Tecta America, one of the largest commercial roofing contractors in the U.S. He served as COO from 2007-10 and interim CEO from 2013-14. When building a new complex that included MAGCO’s headquarters, his desire to improve the project and better use the site by employing green roof attributes prompted the Tecta Green initiative. He currently serves on the board of directors for Tecta America, which boasts 76 locations with 3,500 employees.

“I am truly flattered and honored to be recognized by my peers and the industry with this award, and I am proud to be a part of this great industry,” Gaulin said as he accepted the award.

First presented in 1948, the J.A. Piper Award is named for former NRCA President Joseph A. Piper, whose extraordinary efforts kept the association alive during the Great Depression.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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